“A person who dedicated his life to our safety has died, the situation is serious,” recalled Vincent Van Peteghem after the death of a police officer in Schaerbeek. “We will have to find answers to the questions that arise: those of the family, of the other police officers”.
However, there is no question of criticizing the investments made. “We have invested in the police under this legislature. And overall, there are hundreds of millions invested in our security,” said the minister.
Tax reform
Asked about Belgium’s budget, with a widening deficit, he acknowledges that the situation is deteriorating while hammering home the importance of a longer-term vision. “We took support measures for people’s bills, it was necessary. If we had not taken these measures, it would have been even more serious. They had to be taken in the short term. Now we need more measures structural, for example tax reform”, he adds.
“We have to look at working on the labor market, on pensions. For example, if we increase the work rate, that means that we reduce the cost for the government”, he explains, while his tax reform project is intended to be budget neutral. “It’s important, because those who work need to have more in their account at the end of the month.” We therefore avoid the word “tax”.
Among the first details of the project, a reduction in VAT on fruits and vegetables. This should encourage healthier, healthier consumer choices, potentially saving money.
The project also gives pride of place to simplification. “If we talk about the tax system in Belgium, it is too complex, too cumbersome. The whole system must also be fairer, simpler, fairer”, explains the minister.
The government will work on this project in the weeks to come and Vincent Van Peteghem hopes to be able to land it under this legislature. “There are encouraging signals from other parties,” he concludes.