Heat, police, schools, shops, and housing (Friday, June 19)

Since Thursday, the National Heat Plan has been in effect, and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) issued a yellow code. The Wiezoloop, the Vuurtorenloop, and the TT-run have been canceled. Pinkpop is providing extra shade and water, and vulnerable people need to be especially careful.

According to the Dutch Court of Audit (Algemene Rekenkamer), more than 10,000 reports of serious crimes in 2024 received no follow-up. That is about a quarter, with large regional differences. About 7,000 cases were stopped immediately, and 3,000 later due to a lack of police.

Joli Luijckx from the parent association Balans is taking legal action against the state. She says that thousands of children are staying at home because school is not working for them. According to her, the government is doing too little, and education needs to be completely changed.

The Federation of Dutch Trade Unions (FNV) announces a strike at Etos and Kruidvat for Father’s Day. The union is angry because employers want to halve the Sunday bonus. Furthermore, Vomar donated 46,500 euros to SchuldHulpMaatje, after pressure from the Dutch Consumers' Association (Consumentenbond).

According to Independer, a quarter of the old houses in Groningen have an energy label F or G. Those houses are therefore poorly insulated. The newspaper Trouw writes that housing construction can use drinking water more efficiently if the government assists.