Dutch to Raise Wages, Corporate Tax to Ease Energy Crisis (2)

The Netherlands plans to hike its minimum wage and raise taxes on corporate profits as part of a 17.2 billion-euro ($17.2 billion) package of support for households aimed at easing the pain of surging inflation.

The measures also include a freeze on gas and electricity prices from Jan. 1, targeted subsidies for lower-income families, and an extension of a fuel tax reduction until July.

The latest budget, the first since Sigrid Kaag became finance minister earlier this year, marks a stark departure from the Netherlands’ traditionally frugal approach to spending that saw her boss, Prime Minister Mark Rutte, ...