The differences between regions in our country are getting bigger and are even “shocking” in many places, researchers write. According to them, the government does not invest enough in the prosperity of the entire country.
The research was done on behalf of the Council for the Living Environment and Infrastructure, the Council for Public Administration and the Council for Public Health & Society. The report was released on Monday.
There are major differences between regions in the Netherlands. In the regions of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, the Kop van Noord-Holland, the Veenkoloniën, Twente and Parkstad Limburg, life expectancy is lower, education is of lower quality and it is more difficult to find a job than in the rest of the country.
The researchers therefore conclude that the government pays too little attention to eliminating these arrears. The government invests mainly in regions that are already strong and less in the areas where more development is needed.
According to the report, too much attention is paid to the economic returns of the investments. In the future, the government must take into account the benefits for society and prosperity throughout the country.
To reduce the undesirable differences between regions, education, care, work, culture and public meeting places must be accessible and accessible throughout the country.
Cooperation between the government and the province must be improved
The inequality of opportunity and declining health of people living in these regions is “problematic”. It threatens confidence in the government, the report says.
In addition, the government must cooperate much better with the provinces. The regions must be given more say in decisions that are taken. National problems, such as the energy transition or reforms within agriculture, can also be better tackled with this.
The advisory report Every region counts! was handed over to Minister Bruins Slot of the Interior and Kingdom Relations on Monday.