News

No tax deduction for asylum seekers

30 September 2016

Asylum seekers without a professional income will from now on be taxed as non-residents in Belgium and are therefore no longer subject to our personal income tax. “As a result, they will no longer be able to enjoy a tax credit for dependent children,” says Minister of Finance Johan Van Overtveldt …

Deaf community decries lack of status for sign language interpreters

28 September 2016

MEP Helga Stevens brought together more than a thousand deaf people from all over Europe this week at a conference in the European Parliament. At the conference, they called for improved status for sign language interpreters and a wider recognition of their sign languages. “It is a unique occasion, …

Flanders is teaching Europe to integrate

26 September 2016

The European Committee of the Regions has approved a report by Flemish Parliament Member Karl Vanlouwe on the integration of newcomers. In it, the way in which Flanders promotes language, knowledge and integration is spotlighted. Later this year, the report will be sent to all European institutions …

Flanders presents a balanced budget

26 September 2016

Not only did Flemish Minister-President Geert Bourgeois present the promised balanced budget to the Flemish Parliament, his government is also investing heavily in the challenges of the future: high-quality education, flourishing exports, customised healthcare and an energy-efficient Flanders …

Sexual violence: first help centres soon to become a reality

23 September 2016

As from next year, victims of sexual violence in Belgium too will be able to visit specialised centres with doctors, psychologists and legal advisers under one roof. “Sexual violence doesn’t just affect the health of victims, it also impacts their relationships and their life at work. So it’s a …

Ten-point plan for better service provision by the NMBS

22 September 2016

With a ten-point plan for the railways, the N-VA hopes to improve the service provided to passengers. The plan contains not only a number of familiar ideas, such as wi-fi or wireless internet on the train and a guaranteed service provision, but also a number of new concepts. “For example, we want a …

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