Dutch agree to EU Robin Hood tax

The Netherlands has said it will adopt the proposed EU Robin Hood tax — the financial transaction tax — provided it is not imposed on pension funds.

This is a blow to countries that are firmly against the EU adopting such a tax, including Ireland and Britain. Eleven countries have already agreed to it.

The Dutch had been firmly against adopting the tax but the Labour party in the new coalition said it should be part of their programme for government, agreed this week.