However, British prime minister David Cameron, backed by Sweden and the Netherlands, has said he would veto any such tax amid concerns over its impact on the banking sector. Despite this, the opinion adopted on Wednesday says the tax should go ahead

The tax break on mortgages should be phased out gradually over 30 years, rather than scrapped for some new mortgages, according to recommendations drawn up by home owners lobby group VEH, housing corporations and tenants' groups. The Dutch system is

The Netherlands' government statistics office says consumer confidence is close to all-time lows, likely reflecting the country's ongoing recession and prospects for a new government austerity package in 2013. The Central Bureau for Statistics said