A recalculation of federal allocations has revealed that the Flemish government will receive 94 million Euros less than expected next year. This means that the 2011 budget for Flanders will once again have a deficit, and in order to balance the budget the authorities are considering abolishing the job tax discount in full. This would yield 75 to 80 million Euros, which would make up for most of the shortfall.

 

The job tax discount was introduced by the previous Flemish government made up of Christian-democrats, socialists and liberals, to give tax benefits to working people. But the amount was already cut dramatically last year as a result of cutbacks. In order to rein in the budgetary deficit, Flemish authorities decided to only award the discount to the 600,000 low-income Flemings as of 2010, with this amount not exceeding 125 Euros instead of the 300 Euros awarded in 2009. But this is now also set to be scrapped. No agreement has been reached on the full scrapping of the job tax discount. Minister-president Kris Peeters (CD&V) does not want to increase taxes, whereas abolishing the job tax discount also has advantages when compared to other measures. Flanders can also expect objections from Europe, as the tax discount only applies to those living and working in Flanders, and not to people such as commuters from France of the Netherlands. The European Commission has labelled the measure therefore as discriminatory and a violation of the free movement of labour force. It is threatening to go to the European Court of Justice to have the job tax discount scrapped. By abolishing it in full this would immediately quell the EC’s gripe. As the justification for it states, an alternative and more suitable measure can be adopted in order to keep the difference between unemployment benefits and wages large enough – one that will also encourage people to seek work.

 

The most obvious alternative to scrapping the job tax discount is to implement cuts in all departments using an across-the-board approach, whereby all budgets have to submit a certain amount. But Peeters says that heavy cuts have already been implemented in departments such as education and culture, and cutting back to the tune of another 94 million Euros will not be easy.

From Thursday evening the Flemish Environmental Agency (VMM) was already warning of possible floods in the region of some Flemish brooks and rivers, basing its warnings on the Flood Forecasting System. This instrument can predict flooding up to two days in advance, using special software to process information received from hydrologists, the height of the land, the capacity of the water channels and weather forecasts. On thursday the forecaster went fully into the red for the first time in its three-year existence.

 

After the last floods Flemish authorities decided to create natural flood areas and build water reservoirs, intended to cushion the majority of floods. So as to enable detailed forecasts for a reservoir, ten hydrologists working for the Flemish Environmental Agency continuously link the rain forecasts to the most recent data in terms of the reservoirs’ capacity. The profile of the watercourse, the dimensions of the banks and bridges, the presence of pumps, the depth of the valleys and the surface of meadows in the immediate vicinity are all taken into account. Forecasts from both the Royal Meteorological Institute and its UK counterpart enable forecasts from two hours to two days. “The system indicates where the situation is becoming critical,” said VMM spokesperson Mie Van de Kerckhoven. “Should there be a chance of local flooding, we immediately inform the local fire brigade.” In the wake of the dramatic Demer valley flood in 1997, all unnavigable water courses and Flemish reservoirs in the vicinity were charted and fell under the authority of the VMM. When it comes to navigable rivers the responsibility lies with the Hydrological Information Centre of the Flemish department of Mobility and Public Works. The two bodies exchange data and conclusions daily.

 

The VVM has already charted the data to the finest details when it comes to the best-known flooding areas along the Dender, IJzer, Demer, Dijle and Zenne rivers, while the other rivers will be mapped out by 2011. “Then we will be able to predict a possible flood at the level of individual houses,” says Van de Kerckhoven.

11/11/10 - Numerous are the Britons who crossed over to Belgium to attend Remembrance ceremonies in the West Flemish city of Ieper.

15/11/10 - Fears that the dike along the Brussels Charleroi canal would collapse as a result of the weight of the flood waters proved to be unfounded.

11/11/10 - Crown Prince Filip led the ceremony of Remembrance at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Brussels this Armistice Day.

The public prosecutor is advising the commercial court dealing with the application for bankruptcy for money transporters Brink's not to go ahead and declare the company bankrupt.

10/11/10 - On 11 November, we remember the end of the First World War. For the occasion, the Ieper-based Holy Family School has invited German and Scottish pupils over to West Flanders to carry out a message of peace. The pupils are enthusiastic: "We think it's important for young people to come."

The anniversary of the Armistice that ended the Great War is being marked today across Belgium. Between 1914 and 1918 the conflict claimed millions of lives, many in Flanders' fields.

A unique find has been made in a field in Warneton in Hainault: the remains of six soldiers from the First World War who never got a proper burial.

Across Belgium residents are clearing up homes, cellars and garages that were inundated during the heavy rainfall of the past weekend.

Five months after the inconclusive election and at the height of Belgium’s EU Presidency TV Brussel’s Yong Chui Hsia considers the state of Belgium.

Efforts by the Work Minister Joëlle Milquet to mediate in the industrial dispute involving money transporters Brink's have failed. Both management and unions are refusing to budge.

In Beaumont in Hainault province two people drowned as a result of the floods caused by the abundant rainfall of recent hours.

On two occasions, Belgium exported nuclear material to Iran. This was confirmed by Energy Minister Paul Magnette in Parliament.

In a case that sent a shock wave through Belgium, the older sister of a young girl that was hit on the head, has made confessions, the Leuven judicial authorities say.

The works will start at the end of next year. The existing parts will be renovated, but the museum will also receive a new pavilion.

International rail services between Brussels and London and Paris are suspended. When they will resume, is unclear.

10/11/10 - Around 11 November each year, the Belgian NGO 11.11.11 starts public sales and door-to-door sales to raise money for a good cause. This year, the focus of the campaign is on Central Africa and its agricultural problems.

The Flemish education infrastructure department had a budget of 150 million euros this year, but there is no more cash for this year.

Standard defeated RC Genk in the first match of the Belgian Cup's round of 16.