For the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture, public spending must be cut and economic growth stimulated. He outlined his approach during the morning show on La Première.
Rather than raising taxes, when our country is already the most heavily taxed in the world, David Clarinval proposes spending cuts alongside a growth strategy.
To boost growth, he revisits measures on increasing purchasing power, tax reform, lowering social contributions, the energy norm, and more. These are all measures designed to strengthen our economy, create jobs, and also curb abuses of the social security system.
On the economic side, it is indeed worth examining the overrun in state spending. A report by the INAMI showed that, among patients receiving benefits until retirement age, a quarter could return to work immediately. The Deputy Prime Minister therefore proposes removing control of invalidity benefits from the mutual insurance funds and handing it to the INAMI. In a context where every euro counts, we cannot allow such abuses to continue. The system must be corrected so that solidarity goes only to those who truly need it.
“Too much tax kills tax”
“Belgium is a country that taxes enormously. The result today is that Belgian citizens go and buy their tobacco and alcohol in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, in France or in neighbouring countries, because too many taxes have been imposed on these products.” The minister proposes a reduction in excise duties on tobacco and alcohol so that Belgians buy these products at home, recovering revenue in the process. The basics of economic science.
Watch the full interview