Spring budget lacks investment in those most in need
Today the government presented the spring budget. It is a small budget of only SEK 11.5 billion. Several of the investments that are made particularly benefit the already rich and do not offer any relief to the many people in Sweden and the world who are currently struggling. The single biggest investment is in increased ROT deductions, while the increased housing allowance for families with children is being phased out.
"More and more people are struggling to make ends meet - according to Statistics Sweden, almost 700,000 people live in social and material poverty in Sweden. Oxfam lacks the investments that could reduce gaps and improve the everyday lives of ordinary people, especially those who have it hardest. At a time when the need for investment in Swedish welfare, climate policy and support for the world's most vulnerable is increasing - the government chooses to favor the very richest, through previously announced tax cuts and now through targeted grants such as ROT. By taxing the profits and fortunes of the very rich instead, the government could come up with a budget that actually meets the enormous social challenges and builds Sweden stronger."
Hanna Nelson, Head of Policy, Oxfam Sweden
The government emphasizes that the world situation is unsettled and unpredictable and the needs are great. At the same time, the budget forecasts show that the government will continue to reduce aid levels and in the coming years aid will be below the internationally agreed 0.7% of GNI. In addition, the government announces that it is departing from the international framework for the quality and effectiveness of aid established by the OECD Development Assistance Committee.
"Oxfam shares the government's concern about the world situation. But when the government reduces aid, and at the same time announces that it is abandoning international regulations, we unfortunately see that Sweden is also contributing to making the world situation more uneasy. This is part of a negative trend that we are unfortunately also seeing in Swedish climate policy, where decided goals and agreements are being abandoned. We would like to see a Sweden that stands up for international agreements and regulations instead of adding to the uncertainty."
Hanna Nelson, Head of Policy, Oxfam Sweden
