Question Time

FÖRSTE VICE TALMANNEN

I would like to welcome the ministers. Questions today will be answered by Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson, Minister for Defence Pål Jonson, Minister for Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed, and Minister Johan Forssell.

A question must be of an overarching and general political nature or concern a subject that falls within the minister's area of responsibility and concerns his/her performance of duties. Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson answers both general political questions and questions within her own area of responsibility.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Mikael Damberg (S)

Mr. Speaker! Today, inflation also finally fell in Sweden. But the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit Swedish households with full force. We are now receiving reports that every third household has difficulty making the household economy work, and 40 percent of single parents borrow to put food on the table. This is the result of the SD government's economic policy. The burdens of the crisis have not been shared fairly, because while ordinary people are struggling, the banks and the business sector are making record profits.

But this is not a law of nature, Mr. Speaker. It turns out that Sweden stands out. We have the worst growth prospects, significantly higher inflation than comparable countries, and the profit shares have increased faster in Sweden than in almost any other country in the world except Hungary.

How has it come to this, Minister for Finance? What responsibility does the Minister for Finance have for the failure during the cost crisis?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Mikael Damberg for the question.

Yes, many people are having a tough time now. Inflation picked up in the autumn of 2021, and since then Sweden has been heading into, and now the last year has been in, an economic winter with high prices and a recession.

To take us through the crisis and the economic situation, the government is doing different things. The first is fighting inflation. With the help of the budget, we support the most important things, that is to say welfare and households but also defense, police and the justice system.

Households are struggling, and especially those wage earners who have not received any compensation. Therefore, we strengthen households through lowered taxes, housing allowances, and cheaper fuels - a reduced reduction obligation from January 1. It is essential that we do this at a time when many are struggling.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Mikael Damberg (S)

Mr. Speaker! There was no answer to the question of what it is that makes Sweden stand out, has the worst growth prospects, has handled the cost development worse than our neighboring countries, and furthermore has a profit development in the business sector that deviates. Only Hungary has a worse development. One in three households has difficulty managing the finances. At the same time, the banks make a profit of 500 million kronor every day.

In this situation, Svantesson only says that she and the government are doing the right thing, without reflecting on her own responsibility. What is the answer to the Swedish people?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! Every day since I received this job, I have worked purposefully to facilitate for people, welfare, and households. It is primarily about dampening inflation, and we are four parties who take this most seriously, while all parties in the opposition unfortunately do not. To support is important, and that is also what we do.

Furthermore, I have many times said that it is offensive when banks and other companies make large profits in a difficult time.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Linda Lindberg (SD)

Mr. Speaker! The Sweden Democrats have long protected the welfare society that for generations has been the foundation of the good folkhemmet. Today, it is a fact that our welfare system is threatened by organized economic crime that depletes our system at its core. Enormous sums are paid out incorrectly every year, which is provoking, and previous governments have allowed this to continue. Every wasted tax krona is simply a theft from the Swedish people, and our welfare money should go to those who need society's support and help the most, not to anyone else.

I know that the Sweden Democrats and the government are prepared to counter this organized attack against the welfare system, and several things are underway and being done. From the turn of the year, Sweden will have a special payment authority which will be an important part in countering fraud. We hope that the new authority will become a tool in combating crime against our welfare system.

How does the Minister for Finance view the new authority's role in this struggle, and are other authorities cooperating and coordinated for this work?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Linda Lindberg for the question.

It is incredibly provoking that people cheat the system and that the gang criminals largely slaughter our welfare systems and use the money in crime. It is this that feeds what we see out on the streets and squares. Sometimes we talk about the narcotics, and it is of course part of it. But the crimes against our welfare system are also a major cause.

The Swedish Payments Authority is important. Now, several different systems will go through it, which means that one can no longer cheat or trick the system in the way that has been done previously. It is an incredibly important building block, together with the many other things we do to tighten the taps for the criminal economy.

It is fundamentally about life and death, but it is also about all people who go to work every day knowing that their paid taxes are going to the right thing.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Linda Lindberg (SD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank the Minister for Finance for the answer. It is gratifying that the majority is now moving forward together to address the organized crime against, not least, our welfare system.

Swedish authorities have also been affected by infiltration, something the media has taken up several times. What does control and scrutiny look like at the new authority to avoid infiltration? Do we perhaps need to increase security regarding those who are to work there?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Linda Lindberg for the follow-up question.

Yes, definitely. We have had a system based on trust. We trust each other, and it should work. But it is naive when so many want to abuse the system. That is why we have high security at the Swedish Payments Agency.

I was surprised that the previous government wanted to place the agency in Södertälje. There were no premises there, but it is one of many municipalities struggling with exactly that, infiltration.

We must combat infiltration in every way we can, especially within our state agencies.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Samuel Gonzalez Westling (V)

Mr. Speaker! We know that the Minister for Finance chooses to lower the tax by more than 30 to 50 kronor for an average income earner. In total, the government's tax cuts cost the state over 20 billion kronor.

As a direct consequence of this, healthcare and schools are threatened across the entire country. Thousands of jobs are now threatened. At Sahlgrenska in Gothenburg alone, 2,000 positions risk disappearing. Previously, Region Sörmland signaled that 700 employees will be laid off, and as recently as today, Region Värmland signaled 750 employees. Entire hospitals are threatened with closure.

During the pandemic, all parties agreed that we must ensure that healthcare and elderly care receive the resources they need. I have asked the Prime Minister without receiving an answer, so I now ask the Finance Minister: Why is it more important to get an extra bag of chips a week than to have a functioning healthcare system?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Samuel Gonzalez Westling for the question. I will soon answer the question, but my counter-question is: Why is it never important for Vänsterpartiet to lower the tax for those who work and toil? This applies to the nursing assistant, bus driver, or roofer who, during this inflation period of two years, has seen their real wage drop like a stone while others receive compensations, such as guaranteed pension, social assistance, and other types. I think it is completely reasonable to lower the tax for people who toil and work to support the welfare state.

We support the welfare state. Of the reform space we had, we allocated 40 percent to the welfare sectors. Will it be enough? No, but now it is tough for everyone. It is tough for households, companies, and welfare, and one also naturally has an own task, namely to prioritize. Therefore, I am surprised that it is so difficult for Vänsterpartiet to lower the tax. It can be done, and it leads to increased employment and more money for the welfare state in the long run.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Samuel Gonzalez Westling (V)

Mr. Speaker! I do not know if this is the forum where the government is to hold the Members of Parliament to account. I repeat my question.

It is a fact that healthcare and schools – but above all healthcare – are in a deep crisis where healthcare risks not functioning. In that situation, the government chooses to lower taxes equivalent to a bag of chips a week rather than putting it into healthcare. Why is that choice being made?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I just answered that question: One can do both. It is important to support households, and it is important to make structurally correct reforms so that more people work. That was the simple answer to that question.

It is however a shame that many who live here in Stockholm County and region are now getting a tax increase. In the middle of the hardest time with high inflation and a recession, the Left Party and others here in the region and Stockholm are raising taxes. I think that is a shame. It will eat up the so-called bag of chips that the member spoke about.

One can do both: One can strengthen the welfare, because it is incredibly important to have a welfare that works even during tough times, but one can also make things easier for households that are struggling.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Niels Paarup-Petersen (C)

Mr. Speaker! Today, it is 15 percent who do not get access to upper secondary school because they do not meet the requirements. It increases unemployment and crime and leads to poorer well-being. It is likely not good for either Sweden's economy or the individual.

Grading experts, grading investigators, teachers etcetera agree that our dysfunctional grading system is a significant cause of this. I can give an example. To get an E, one must be able to reason about language and language use in Sweden and the Nordic countries. If one misses this grading requirement, one gets an F. If one gets an F, one does not get into upper secondary school. That is how it looks.

Does the Minister for Finance believe that 15 percent should not have access to upper secondary school, or that it is good for the Swedish economy that it is impossible to become, for example, an electrician, construction worker, health and social care worker, or hairdresser if one does not succeed in reasoning sufficiently well about language use in Sweden and the Nordic countries?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank the member for the question. I truly share the picture of the challenge that so many young people do not complete school. Many leave without qualifications in grade nine. Many do not manage to complete upper secondary school. It is not only a loss for them themselves - even though it is by far mostly a loss for them themselves, because it then is harder to make the journey in life that one so much needs to get by - but of course, it is also a loss for society.

I believe that we should instead ensure that more people pass the ninth grade and not that we should make it easier to avoid the requirements. There are more people here than I who work with school policy, but I mean it like this: Give more children opportunities and conditions to meet the requirements. Support them so that they move forward. I also believe that it is good that electricians can do math and such when they are out at nuclear power plants and elsewhere and are going to install.

I do not think we should lower the requirements, but I understand the point of what the member says. But let us give all young people an opportunity to meet the requirements and help them do so.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Niels Paarup-Petersen (C)

Mr. Speaker! I hear that the government considers it absolutely crucial that one can argue about language use in Sweden and the Nordic countries in order to be allowed to attend upper secondary school. We have proposed that it should instead be merit value, that is, the total effort one makes should be valued instead of the hard limit that exists now.

But before the government has even had a chance to do anything in this area, 100,000 young people will go out without qualifications, of which 5,000 are in our vulnerable areas. Then the gangs are standing there with open arms, and society has closed the door. The question then is: Is it more dangerous for Sweden to have more in upper secondary school or more among the gangs?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I do not think perhaps it has to be one or the other. As I said, one must ensure that everyone has a chance to complete school. It is that inequality that we need to close and ensure support for. Then one can certainly do things with both curricula and other things, and I have noted the Center Party's proposal.

Let us instead ensure that the children learn mathematics and Swedish, for example. The Pisa survey that came this week is appalling. It does not give the youth and children a real chance. I do not want to lower the requirements. First and foremost, I want to ensure that students get help to reach them.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Jan Riise (MP)

Mr. Speaker! My question also goes to the Minister for Finance, who, like the other members of the government, surely knows that new nuclear power requires massive subsidies.

Just now, it has also been concluded that, in addition to the guarantees, even more of the taxpayers' money will need to be taken to finance this. We are a bit curious about what the final bill will look like.

At Chalmers, they have done some calculations on this and arrived at the staggering sum of 2,000 billion for the next 60 years. This includes investments in energy storage and the difference compared to what is required for renewable power. If we spread that out over all households, it amounts to roughly 6,000 per year and households in Sweden.

I would like to ask the question: Is there an upper limit for what new nuclear power can cost the taxpayers?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Jan Riise for the question. Fundamentally, it is about us transforming Sweden - that Sweden should be richer and safer in 10, 15, 20, and 30 years than we are today. For this, clean, stable electricity is required, and for that, nuclear power is required, but also wind power, solar power, and hydropower. All these types of energy will be important for us to be able to do what we want.

In the places where nuclear power is being built around the world - for it is being done in many places now - the state has some form of active role. This is what we are reviewing now. We have said that we are prepared to have a risk-sharing model because these are large investments. Why do we say that? Yes, because we see this as important infrastructure. We need electricity in the years ahead for everything that I just mentioned. Therefore, we are reviewing how such a risk-sharing model could look. This has been done in other countries. I have personally visited, for example, England and seen how it is done there, but it is being done in many places.

That is the answer. We need more nuclear power, and in that case, the state must step in and take a certain responsibility beyond the regulatory one. But we are not there yet; we have not yet developed the model.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Jan Riise (MP)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the answer. Someone has pointed out that nuclear power is the only type of energy that so far has shown a so-called negative experience curve, that is to say that everything becomes more expensive over time instead of cheaper as it does for all others.

It has been shown in the examples that exist from Europe, including from the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Slovakia and not least Finland, that the budget has been exceeded by up to four times. Do we have a system to keep this in mind going forward?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! Again: We learn from others. We will return to how this is to look. But the important thing is that we do it as soon as possible, because a new pace in new nuclear power is required soon and quickly.

Then one must remember that wind power has not been unsubsidized. There are slightly different calculations, but somewhere between 60 and 100 billion has wind power been subsidized through the electricity certificate system. I think it is worth pointing out.

We need electricity; it is an important infrastructure for everything else to function, including the transition. Here, there is a bit to learn from the green [initiatives] in other countries, I would like to say.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Edward Riedl (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Finance.

I thought I would start with a fine old proverb, regarding a former colleague: Many small streams make a large river. I am from Norrland, and perhaps it will become a mighty river in the end.

It is about saving small amounts at an early age in life, and small amounts can become large amounts when one gets older. It makes it possible to save for a driver's license, for a down payment on a first apartment, or for a buffer for all of life's challenges. Therefore, the investment savings account, ISK, was an important freedom reform that was implemented under bourgeois leadership.

Now, this account form is often under debate and discussion. What do the government's plans look like, within the framework of the Tidö Agreement, regarding the ISK tax?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Edward Riedl for the question.

Just as the member says, it is a popular form of savings that has reached many small-scale savers. There are large and small savers, but above all, many small-scale savers. It is popular among young women, which pleases me because many women's lifetime earnings often become lower if one has not saved sufficiently in younger years.

Over the past year, inflation has been high. Above all, interest rates have risen, and that has caused taxes to increase somewhat. It affects savings, but it is still a favorable saving. That is why it is so important to bring down both inflation and interest rates.

The four coalition parties, the Tidö parties, are in complete agreement on continuing to facilitate savings, precisely because it is such an important freedom reform. We are working on a proposal to exempt 300,000 from tax on an ISK account. It is something that we have been working on, and we will return to it a bit further ahead.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Edward Riedl (M)

Mr. Speaker! A misunderstanding is now spreading ahead of the turn of the year that the government is going to raise the tax on the savings form. I would very much like the Minister for Finance to elaborate on how the situation stands. The previous Social Democratic government raised the tax, and further deteriorations were proposed that they did not succeed in getting through.

Has this government planned such deteriorations at the turn of the year or is it simply a misunderstanding?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! Fundamentally, it is exactly as the member said, namely that the previous government actively raised the tax twice. We definitely do not do that. On the contrary, our proposal means that the tax is lowered. That the tax becomes somewhat higher next year is due to the state borrowing rate, which in turn depends on the general interest rate level.

Once again, I remind that it is so important to take responsibility for the economy and ensure that inflation and interest rates go down.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Mathias Bengtsson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! In schools all over Sweden, there are groups where students organize themselves but who are unfortunately often obstructed. The organization Sveriges Elevkårer themselves state that the biggest challenge for them to develop is the principals. Many student councils are denied premises or the right to put up posters at the school.

Even Christian school groups that want to spread joy and hope are being countered, and there are examples where people have wanted to share words of encouragement with classmates but have been stopped because the words come from the Bible. It is also told how principals are so afraid of the confessional that they also stop students from starting the groups from the outset.

I mean that for students who want to engage in well-being and the environment, we need more of that in schools. I want to ask the Minister for Finance if the government safeguards students' constitutionally protected right to organize.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Mathias Bengtsson for the question.

That young people get involved is something I hope and believe everyone in this chamber thinks is fantastic and important. And it is important that more young people get involved. It can be about political organizations, specific issues, religious communities, or other types of involvement to influence their future or other people. It is fundamentally good.

I believe that there is sometimes an exaggerated fear among principals. We here in the chamber do not decide what the principals do in their schools, but one does not need to be so afraid. Sometimes one is afraid of extremism in different directions, but most parties and religious communities are not extreme.

The government's basic position is, of course, to safeguard the youth's opportunities to engage in various forms of associations, whether it be in primary school, upper secondary school, or in other places.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Mathias Bengtsson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank the Minister for Finance for a good answer.

The Minister for Finance himself pointed out that many principals may be afraid of extremism and radicalization when it comes to different religious groups, but it is not reasonable that everyone should be generalized.

Can the Minister for Finance elaborate on what the government is doing to counter extremism and radicalization in schools without it involving a general ban on confessional groups?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! If I remember correctly, the School Inspectorate has been given a special assignment to study these issues. It is a problem that there are schools all over Sweden where extremism is flowing. I can imagine that it is a reason why many principals are becoming cautious.

It is incredibly central that young people's healthy engagement is not countered but encouraged. The School Inspectorate must keep track of to what extent extremism prevails and what can be done about this.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Cecilia Rönn (L)

Mr. Speaker! We have now decided the framework budget, our policy is yielding results and inflation is on its way down. Now we are going to bring it to completion. The next step is then to prioritize growth.

The Liberals invest in education and lifelong learning in the budget because we know that a labor market policy goes hand in hand with a good education policy. At the same time, there is a paradoxical situation on the labor market with 335,000 unemployed while there are 110,000 vacant jobs.

Tillväxtverket presented in the autumn a study showing that in small and medium-sized enterprises, the skills shortage is the primary obstacle to growth.

What does the Minister for Finance think we should further prioritize to meet the companies' needs and accelerate growth?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Cecilia Rönn for the question.

Despite the fact that we are in a tough situation, the government is working on issues concerning what happens in five, ten, and fifteen years. How can Swedish growth gain momentum and productivity increase? One of the important parts of this is the skills supply issue.

I am completely convinced that all of us in here who meet small and large companies around the country receive the competence supply issue as an important issue. The government sees a need for both excellence and breadth, that is to say more vocational training - more of that commodity, it will be needed - more nursing assistants for welfare and additionally excellence. For example, investments are made in the budget for engineering positions. It is important to make Sweden more self-sufficient regarding, for example, engineers.

Next year, a research proposition will be submitted. It will be decisive for growth so that Sweden becomes wealthier and safer in the years ahead.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Cecilia Rönn (L)

Mr. Speaker! Yesterday, Tillväxtverket presented a new national survey showing that the green transition is an important prerequisite for companies' competitiveness. Companies' green transition is necessary to meet the developments in the world around us and to strengthen competitiveness and contribute to the climate goals.

Can the Minister for Finance elaborate on what initiatives the government is undertaking to strengthen companies' competitiveness and enable a green transition?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

There are several parts. It is about investments in the power grid, and it is incredibly central to nuclear power and the entire energy system so that the transition can be made and the companies can grow.

It is also about making the right priorities, that is, having an effective climate policy that gives the companies that best work with these issues the opportunity to continue to develop.

A broad policy for growth and green transition go hand in hand, and that is this government's absolute focus.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Anna Vikström (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Jakob Forssmed.

Every year, at least 1,200 people die in Sweden by suicide. Men account for 70 percent of those affected, and older men over 85 years of age are overrepresented. It is also known that the risk of suicide is higher in groups with lower socioeconomic status.

Reducing economic risk factors such as poverty and over-indebtedness is part of the suicide prevention work.

Unfortunately, the debt amounts at the Enforcement Authority are becoming higher, and they have also accelerated this year.

My question is: What is the government doing to reduce the occurrence of economic risk factors in order to reduce the risk of suicide?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question from Anna Vikström. It is a very serious question.

We are now working on a broad strategy on mental health and suicide prevention where there is a broad basis. It is very important.

Emma Henriksson is our special investigator regarding the establishment of an accident commission in cases of suicide, so that we can also learn better from each suicide to avoid more in the future - not to point fingers but precisely to see which factors have influenced and how we can change this.

I know that my cabinet colleague Erik Slottner is working on the issue of over-indebtedness. And an investigation has been submitted that I believe contains many good and important proposals. One should also consider how different agencies can be given clearer mandates to act regarding this, precisely to ensure that we do everything we can in the situations the member points out where people are in a particular state of vulnerability and where there is also an increased risk of ending up in a situation that no one should have to end up in - when one sees no other way out than to take their own life.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Björn Söder (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has now been ongoing for nearly two years. Alongside full-scale and brutal military offensive operations, we have seen everything from extensive cyberattacks and deception operations to pure terrorist attacks against both the civilian population and non-military targets, for example hospitals and schools. Furthermore, criminal abuses and outright war crimes have occurred.

What are the main conclusions that the Minister for Defence has drawn regarding Sweden so far? And what is it that is most urgent right now when it comes to strengthening our own defense capability?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Björn Söder for the question.

War is a cruel teacher. It is hundreds of thousands of people who have died linked to this war. There are naturally many lessons, and it is important that we draw conclusions from the war. Therefore, the government has tasked MSB, the Armed Forces, and FMV with evaluating which lessons we can draw.

I still want to point out a few things. Perhaps the most important is the importance of a strong will to defend. That was what was decisive above all at the beginning of the war, namely that Ukraine had a stronger will to defend than the Russians. At the beginning of the war, Russia had a large conventional advantage. But through a strong will to defend, the Ukrainian armed forces were able to handle this.

Alongside this, we see how important unmanned systems are. We see that long-range capability is important. When we see large-scale wars, we also see how important a strong defense industrial capability is so that one can produce, for example, artillery ammunition. It is also crucial for a strong national defense.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Anna Lasses (C)

Mr. Speaker! Earlier this autumn, I asked Minister Forssell about the requirement for organizations to publicly distance themselves from Hamas in connection with the review that Sida has conducted of development aid to Palestine. Minister Forsell then admitted that such a distancing is tricky. To utter the words "we are against Hamas" on an open street or on social media in Gaza is to invite a death threat against oneself.

Sida therefore chose in its review to interpret it as that one condemns violence against civilians and that one stands up for democracy and human rights.

But with the homework that the minister has given Sida, it seems to me that an open distancing is still required. Does the minister make a different assessment than Sida? And will this not in practice mean that the government says that from now on we shall have no development support for the local civil society in Palestine?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Anna Lasses for the question. It is true that we have asked Sida to conduct a proper review of the development aid to Palestine, and it is unfortunately on good grounds.

What is central for us in this is to ensure that Swedish aid money always goes to the right things. We never want to be involved in financing or in any way supporting actors who do not have a crystal-clear view on terror. It must not occur. It is not just for the well-being of Swedish taxpayers. Above all, it is for the people in Gaza and so that they should know that the aid that comes to them goes to them and does not end up with actors who are dodging on this very important issue.

Since then, it is important to emphasize that it is about organizations that are to distance themselves, not about individual persons, naturally. We also have humanitarian principles to base ourselves on. And we will continue to respect those.

Now it is correct that Sida will be tasked with carrying out the scrutiny we asked them to do and review all organizations and not just the organizations they have reviewed, i.e., a handful.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Camilla Hansén (MP)

Mr. Speaker! I wonder when the school will receive the funding that is needed.

Over the weekend, after last week's PISA report showing that Swedish students' knowledge is declining, the Tidö parties wrote a debate article about the school. One naturally expects important reforms that show that the Tidö parties take the PISA report seriously.

It became like in the tale of the master tailor, that is, a tomfoolery. They are beating a big drum about the mobile phone ban.

We continue to see the consequences of the government leaving the municipalities in the lurch in an economic crisis.

In the spring, the teachers took to the streets and protested. But now they seem mostly resigned to receiving lectures instead of money from the government.

I have previously asked questions about the school's funding to the Minister for Education. But perhaps it is the Minister for Finance who can give a clearer statement.

Elisabeth Svantesson, when will the schools receive the state funding that is needed for the students to receive the education they have a right to?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Camilla Hansén for the question.

School is definitely central. We have touched upon that earlier. Right now, it is a tough situation in many municipalities and regions due to inflation. We know that the situation will ease after 2025. It is also pleasing that inflation is on the way down, otherwise the cost crisis in Swedish welfare will continue to increase.

The government ensures, with the budget that takes effect on January 1, to cover the majority of the deficit that municipalities and regions expected in the autumn. It is an important part, and it is the largest investment. But will it be enough? No, because the state cannot compensate for everything that inflation entails. It entails exactly increased costs for everyone. If we were to compensate and take out large loans, as Miljöpartiet wants, inflation would continue to rise, and the costs in Swedish school and welfare would continue to rise. That is not the way to go.

With this said: I and we do not intend to leave the school and the welfare in the lurch, and that is what we will not do.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Marléne Lund Kopparklint (M)

Mr. Speaker! If one looks at the lessons from Ukraine, how does the Minister of Defence view the idea of providing more qualified equipment to the Home Guard, which could, for example, man anti-aircraft systems and tube artillery to more easily cover a larger geographical area in Sweden? This is based on the enormously much greater threat from various drones and cruise missiles.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Marléne Lund Kopparklint for the question. The Home Guard is a very important part of the Armed Forces, both for public engagement and for being able to enable mobilization.

A material supply to the Home Guard is now taking place which is important. For example, drones are being tested. It has also been important with night vision equipment. The Home Guard will therefore be prioritized moving forward as well.

Air defense systems are a central component. It is a lesson from the war in Ukraine, not least in light of the fact that Russia has used many long-range systems. Measures are also being taken now to strengthen the Armed Forces' capability specifically when it comes to air defense systems.

We continue to work on this issue. But this is urgent in light of the lessons from Ukraine precisely because of Russia's capability in both medium-range and long-range systems when it comes to air defense.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Gudrun Brunegård (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Sweden has a long and proud tradition of being a generous donor of aid to countries where people have not had as good conditions as we here in Sweden.

Today, the government has decided on a reform agenda for aid, where it is established that a larger proportion of the aid shall be channeled through civil society organizations and a smaller proportion via the large multilateral organizations.

My question to the Minister for Development Cooperation is what advantages the government sees in going through civil society in this way.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Gudrun Brunegård for the question.

We have today presented our reform agenda for aid; I have it here in my hand. It is an important document because it steers the long-term direction for Swedish aid.

There are several priorities here that differ from the previous government's, for example that aid should be seen as part of a much larger whole. But it is also about what Gudrun Brunegård points out, namely that a larger proportion should be channeled through civil society organizations. This is important, not least against the background that a clear priority in the agenda is to ensure that Swedish aid funds always achieve the best possible results. This means that we must work in a slightly different way.

I can state that many civil society organizations have a great commitment and often operate in very difficult contexts. They are often the first to be on site. This is an important commitment, and we in the government place great value on it. Therefore, we also want to prioritize it more clearly in the aid moving forward.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Niklas Karlsson (S)

Mr. Speaker! Households and ordinary wage earners are being squeezed hard by the economic crisis in a way that we have not experienced in decades. Inflation has surged, which is noticeable, among other things, through high energy and food prices.

If this, much can be said, but when it comes to specifically the fight against inflation and the government's way of handling the situation, the bourgeois distribution profile is visible: Ordinary households are now paying the price to combat a supply-driven, imported inflation, even though fiscal policy has significantly better and broader conditions to act than if the inflation had been domestic and demand-driven.

Therefore, I want to ask Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson: Why does the Finance Minister think it is reasonable that ordinary households and wage earners should pay the price for the economic crisis and the government's inflation fight?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Niklas Karlsson for the question. The answer is: The Finance Minister does not think so.

If I stop talking about myself in the third person, I can instead say that I really do not think it is reasonable. That is why we are lowering the tax on low and medium incomes. That is why we are lowering fuel taxes. That is why we are changing the reduction obligation from January 1. While other parties in here want to make it more expensive to refuel, we are making it cheaper, and so on.

That was also why I had at least a proper talk with the food giants in March so that they would not take the opportunity to raise prices just because they might have been able to, and from April that trend was broken. We work every day to make things easier for people in a very difficult time. Among those who are doing the worst are families with children receiving housing allowance, and we have both increased and extended it to support that group.

So: No, I do not think it is reasonable, and therefore we are now ensuring that we facilitate for completely ordinary people to actually manage the situation a bit better. That being said, it is tough for many right now - ahead of Christmas, ahead of January, and ahead of next year.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Carita Boulwén (SD)

Mr. Speaker! The increasing mental ill-health, not least among young people, is deeply worrying and something we often raise. With the recent unrest and a poorer economic situation in our country where more and more people end up in a difficult economic situation, mental health is further affected.

The Sweden Democrats and the other government parties have agreed on a number of important measures to improve care, increase accessibility, and strengthen preventive work. Initiatives are being made to counter mental illness and suicide, which is good. Another important measure to be able to provide people who need support in an acute mental crisis or to prevent suicide, which we in the Sweden Democrats believe should be done, is to re-establish a national helpline. It is pleasing that we are adding 10 million to voluntary organizations that provide compassionate support via helplines and chat, but they cannot tackle the entire problem alone.

My question to the Minister for Social Affairs is therefore: Will the Minister for Social Affairs work to re-establish a national helpline as a complement to the voluntary sector?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the question, Carita Boulwén!

The National Helpline was shut down through a decision in the company Inera, which is wholly owned by municipalities and regions. This was decided without there being any replacement for the line, and it is a decision that appears rushed and made in a windowless forum. The state cannot recreate exactly that helpline, because there is a boundary-setting issue here regarding what the state can do and the healthcare responsibility that the regions have.

I also want to highlight the voluntary efforts being made and that the government during the year has strengthened the possibilities for the voluntary aid organizations to further increase their capacity. We have also given a permanent supplement to Bris so that they can have longer opening hours for children and young people who call in. I am, however, open to investigating further possibilities here, as it is obvious that even more needs to be done so that people can get through when they call and are in need of help.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Helena Vilhelmsson (C)

Mr. Speaker! Yesterday, the investigation Ut ur utsatthet was presented, which concerns an exit program for vulnerable women in prostitution. There were many good proposals that emerged, including one that ends up on the Minister for Finance's desk.

It is about the strange fact that the Swedish Tax Agency taxes prostitutes' incomes, that is to say, money they have received from the sex buyers - who have paid for an assault. The taxation occurs in direct conflict with agency regulations, agency instructions, and the decisions made here that authorities shall cooperate so that men's violence against women, of which prostitution is a part, shall cease.

The strange thing is that the investigator suggested a new investigation to look at how to put a stop to this. The Centre Party argues that it is completely unnecessary and that this can be resolved through a dialogue with the authorities. My question to the Minister for Finance is therefore: How does the government intend to approach this - does it intend to put a stop to this through an active dialogue with and steering of the authorities, or does it intend to delay it through a new investigation?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! My ministerial colleague received the investigation only yesterday, or if it was the day before yesterday, and I look forward to taking part of it.

Helena Vilhelmsson highlights the absurdity here: We have two different legislations that clash with each other, which puts these women in a completely unreasonable situation where they, for example, can have a tax debt despite having been exploited in trafficking and other things. It is completely unreasonable. Therefore, I have said that we shall take part in everything that emerges in the investigation and see if we need to take the issue further as well as how it should be done.

I believe that, fundamentally, legislative changes may be needed, but I will go to the bottom of this. The situation that Talita and others have highlighted shows that women are, at the very least, affected twice as much in this, and it should not happen.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Jacob Risberg (MP)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson.

I unfortunately cannot take the credit for having authored the question. The writer prefers to remain anonymous, but I can reveal that the poet in question is a former Minister for the Environment.

Now we will soon dance around the tree And hand out presents to the children But before we go We want to have an answer When will the climate action plan arrive?

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Jacob Risberg for presenting this excellent rhyme. I can promise Jacob Risberg that we are working full-scale on the plan and will, of course, return.

It is important that we have an effective and good climate policy in the years ahead that reduces emissions. Sweden is a fantastic country with high ambitions; for example, the electricity produced here is 98 percent fossil-free. We are at the forefront in many ways - Swedish households do it, companies do it and the policy does it - and we will continue to do so, which Jacob Risberg and others will see when the plans arrive.

Unfortunately, I am not particularly good at either poetry or rhymes, so I must conclude without such.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Fredrik Ahlstedt (M)

Mr. Speaker! Last week, the government decided on a new strategy for Sweden's foreign trade, investments, and global competitiveness.

Sweden and Swedish business face major challenges, especially when competitiveness is eroded by falling productivity and increased international competition. That is what is written in the new strategy. Furthermore, the growth rate is very low in Sweden right now while it is much higher in many other countries around the world.

I would therefore like to ask Minister Johan Forssell how the Minister intends to contribute to increasing the share of foreign direct investment in Sweden and how he believes he can strengthen the work so that global competitiveness increases.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Fredrik Ahlstedt, for the question! It is correct that we only a few days ago presented a completely new trade strategy. Unlike the previous strategy, which only focused on exports, this strategy highlights exports but also imports. It highlights investments to Sweden. It takes a holistic approach to our global competitiveness.

This is needed, because we have the privilege of living in a country that has some of the world's absolute best, world-leading companies. But the conditions they have are not the very best. There, we can do more.

Many other countries are sharpening their focus now, and we must keep up. We simply must provide our companies with better support so that they can contribute to job creation and growth. We also point out the importance of building synergies, for example, by linking aid to green transition or healthcare. We point out precisely green transition and digitalization as two completely decisive areas moving forward, and also that Sweden must have a stronger presence in Asia, because that is where a very large amount of the growth over the coming decades is expected to occur.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Cecilia Engström (KD)

Mr. Speaker! In order to safeguard the taxpayers' money and maintain trust in the welfare systems, the government is now establishing the Payment Authority. From January 1, 2024, the new authority will commence its operations. The purpose is to prevent, deter, and detect irregularities in payments from the welfare systems.

One of the most serious crimes against our welfare is organized crime, which exploits the systems for its own gain. The state's ability to combat welfare crimes needs to be improved, and the establishment of the Payment Authority is a major step in the right direction to counter fraud and benefit crimes.

My question to Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson is therefore how the Swedish Payments Authority shall work to counteract welfare crime.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Cecilia Engström, for the question.

This is an important part of the work we are doing to simply turn off the taps to the criminal economy. It is that economy that feeds the gangs. It is also that economy that causes many young people to now enter into a criminality that even leads to many young people killing other young people.

In many ways, there is reason to work against fraud, petty cheating, and serious crime. The Swedish Payments Agency will work in such a way that payments from various larger agencies, for example Försäkringskassan, will be made via this agency. This ensures that one can gain control over the total payments in a completely different way than today, where one can cheat the system in various ways.

We are also working on changing the confidentiality between different authorities so that they can share information. We are working on a population census to know that people live in the right place – one might say that one lives in Sweden but lives somewhere else. All of this together will facilitate the work and turn off the taps.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Karin Sundin (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed.

More and more children and young people are snus-using. According to the Central Association for Alcohol and Drug Information, 14 percent of ninth graders and 26 percent of high school students now use snus. The increase has been particularly large among girls.

Ten years ago, almost no girls in upper secondary school used snus. Today, it is 21 percent who do. The large increase is due to white snus, which contains high levels of nicotine that is highly addictive and can affect health in the short and long term.

The Social Democratic government tightened the legislation regarding white snus and introduced an age limit and a clear regulation of marketing. But it is now clear that it has not been enough. My question to the government is therefore: How does the government intend to act to protect our children and young people from the negative health effects of white snus?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Karin Sundin, for a good and important question!

I and the government think this is worrying. We know that it affects young people and can lead them into an addiction. It can also affect something like sleep negatively, and we know in turn that this has consequences for how one feels in different ways. It is concerning.

It is good that age limits and clear marketing rules are being introduced regarding this. There is also an investigation ongoing which, among other things, aims to look at further measures in this area. I do not rule out that more needs to be done to curb the development that we are seeing.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

David Lång (SD)

Mr. Speaker! I would like to direct my question to Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson.

Even though the tax burden is beginning to approach decent levels, there are still taxes that are harmful to Sweden. One such is the aviation tax, which was introduced by the previous Social Democratic government in 2018, eagerly encouraged by Miljöpartiet and Vänsterpartiet. It is a tax that does not benefit the climate or the environment. It is a tax that definitely disadvantages rural areas. It is a tax that burdens and reduces the aviation industry's opportunities for necessary investments and, in the long run, also its opportunities to survive.

Even if one must have respect in the short term for the government's strive for a balanced budget and for inflation control - which, by the way, looks to be going very well according to the latest figures from Statistiska centralbyrån - I would nevertheless like to ask the Minister for Finance to speculate a little about the future. Is it in the cards that an abolition of the aviation tax can return to the agenda before upcoming budget bills during this mandate period?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, David Lång, for the question!

Just as the member mentions, times are tight. One must prioritize in every budget. You take one budget at a time, one reform at a time, and one step at a time.

We have lowered and are lowering income taxes, tax on pensions, tax on fuels and much more.

Of course, the aviation tax is a bad tax. Fundamentally, it has created greater problems in the aviation industry. If it comes up in various budget negotiations between our four parties, the future remains uncertain, but it is not entirely unthinkable.

Fundamentally, we need to lower more taxes in Sweden. However, we must do it responsibly. We must take one thing at a time, one tax at a time, and one reform at a time.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Gustaf Göthberg (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to Defense Minister Pål Jonson and follows a bit of a theme we have seen in the chamber during this afternoon. Perhaps it is an echo. But that doesn't matter, because nothing is more important than Ukraine winning the war and Russia losing. Few decisions are more important than that. There is also a broad consensus around this, not least in this chamber, and that is very positive.

Sweden stands behind Ukraine. This has been the case since that February morning nearly two years ago when Russia launched its unprovoked and illegal invasion of the country. Sweden also stands behind continued EU integration. At the beginning of the week, the government also launched a winter package in support of Ukraine on the civilian side.

But we also support Ukraine with weapons: the Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle, Archer, Stridsvagn 122, Stridsfordon 90 and Sjömålsrobot 17. These are names of weapons that also truly defend Sweden.

My question to the Minister of Defence is: What lessons does the Minister of Defence draw from Ukraine's military resilience, and how does he view how the Swedish military contribution can be evaluated moving forward?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Gustaf Göthberg, for the question! I appreciate the deep commitment in the chamber for Ukraine, not least also the broad consensus that exists regarding Sweden should continue to support Ukraine in the long term.

I previously raised some of the conclusions we can draw from the war. A strong will to defend is crucial. We can send whatever advanced weapons systems we want to the Ukrainians, but if there is no will to fight, they have no effect. But the Ukrainians have a very strong will to defend, and that is a great asset.

Another capability that the Ukrainians have repeatedly demonstrated is the ability to adopt new technology. They are good at innovation. This war is a combination of the First World War, with trenches and infantry combat, and the Third World War, with satellite-based communication, drone technology, and AI. There are many important lessons for us to take home.

We will further develop the support gradually based on the Ukrainians' needs. It is also very important that Ukraine has the opportunity to purchase newly produced defense materiel from the Swedish defense industry in light of the fact that we do not ourselves have unlimited resources in the Armed Forces' barns.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Olle Thorell (S)

Mr. Speaker! The situation in Gaza and on the West Bank is getting worse - over 15,000 dead, and nearly half of them are children. The Swedish government has, in this situation, stopped aid to Palestine that appears to counter extremism and radicalization. Now, Sida's review of the aid is finished. It shows exactly the same results as Switzerland, Germany, and the EU have previously concluded, namely that no aid has gone to Hamas.

One could have thought that Sweden would resume aid after Sida's review, but no. Instead, the government rejects its own agency's investigation and continues to freeze aid to Palestine.

What is the problem with projects that give Palestinians an alternative to Hamas? What is the problem with projects that, for example, provide women with legal aid when they want to divorce or demand their rights?

How is it that Sweden is alone in the EU in freezing aid to Palestine? What does the long-term plan look like for continued aid to Palestine after this horrific war?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Olle Thorell, for the question!

We have asked Sida to conduct a proper review. This is against the background of the horrific terrorist acts and the horrific terrorist attack that the terrorist organization Hamas directed against hundreds of innocent people in early October. There is a before and there is an after that terrorist attack.

The report we have received has not conducted a complete review. We have said that we need a better basis for decision-making where the whole is examined and not just some organizations are selected. For example, it is necessary to look at how the organizations communicate in this.

At the same time as we have done that, we have also increased the humanitarian aid to people in Gaza. It concerns food, water, medicines, emergency housing, hygiene kits and everything that is required to manage everyday life.

It is an important principle issue. It is important for people in Gaza that we ensure that Swedish aid funds never go to actors who do not clearly distance themselves from terrorism. I note that the Social Democrats do not agree with me here.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Yasmine Eriksson (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is also addressed to Minister Forssell.

The review that Sida was commissioned to conduct has now been completed. It was carried out to ensure that none of the Swedish aid funds go to actors who do not unreservedly condemn Hamas. In their presentation, they stated that there are no actors who condemn Hamas unreservedly.

One can think what one wants about the review. Personally, I think it was extremely deficient. It is something that I believe the Minister agrees with, because it was decided to give Sida a supplementary assignment in this matter.

Does the Minister see any conditions in this situation to resume development aid to Palestine when it has been clearly stated that no actor unconditionally condemns Hamas?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Yasmine Eriksson, for the question!

We have received a decision basis. It was not good enough. Therefore, we have tasked Sida with supplementing it so that we can make a long-term decision. Sweden is a very large donor. With that comes a very large responsibility, and we as a government intend to take that responsibility.

Then I want to emphasize that we have made a decision to increase the humanitarian aid to the people. The civilian population is in a terrible situation. No one can remain unmoved by what we see.

We have also made decisions to resume parts of the development aid to actors linked, for example, to the situation of women and girls, SRHR, and to actors who have worked previously but have not been paid for it. We are a major aid donor. We will also take that responsibility and make things right in that part.

When we have a more complete description in place from Sida, we are ready to make long-term decisions regarding our aid cooperation.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Johan Hultberg (M)

Mr. Speaker! Digitization creates fantastic opportunities to develop welfare in general and perhaps healthcare in particular. Not least, AI has the potential to contribute to our success in the transition of healthcare that we want to become much more preventive and health-promoting.

Therefore, it is welcome that the government has established an AI commission. It is also welcome that the government is working to establish a national digital infrastructure for health and medical care. But we also have problems with outdated legislation that hinders digitalization.

Another problem we have is that many actors are hindered by a fear and uncertainty about what is possible to do within the framework of existing legislation. Therefore, I and we Moderates have long called for that the state should strengthen the legal guidance, for example through the Swedish Agency for Digital Government, to the regions and other actors in healthcare so that they do not refrain from innovating out of fear of making a mistake.

Is the Minister for Social Affairs prepared to take some such initiatives?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Johan Hultberg, for a very good question!

It is a crucial issue for us to meet both today's and tomorrow's healthcare challenges. Today's situation is completely unreasonable where patients' health data is not available regardless of which healthcare provider one visits or where in the country it occurs.

The staff must enter the same information. The person seeking care must repeat their medical history with great patient safety risks. We must move away from that. Therefore, we shall create a national digital infrastructure.

The question of interoperability is completely central. There is a semantic, technical, organizational, and legal dimension to this. There is now a proposal from an investigation. I share the view that there is a bit of fear and that one sticks to the precautionary principle when it is not quite one hundred percent clear what one should or should not do according to current legislation.

Now there is an investigation that points to a possibility of giving EHM a special mandate to act in a guiding capacity and provide support and advice on how today's legislation can be utilized. We are working on preparing this expeditiously.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Ida Ekeroth Clausson (S)

Mr. Speaker! Christmas is just around the corner at the same time as Sweden and the Swedish people are becoming poorer and poorer. We are currently in extra expensive times when many are to buy Christmas presents and Christmas food. After Christmas, the year's poorest month also awaits. Then, bills for Christmas presents that have been bought on credit are to be paid along with the usual living costs.

It is clear that many households are facing extreme financial difficulties and that more support would be needed for those who are hit hardest by the cost crisis. In this regard, I wonder what the Minister of Finance is doing to make it easier for households to get through this crisis and so that everyone can afford to, for example, celebrate Christmas.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Ida Ekeroth Clausson, for a very important question!

Many are struggling. It is not just a recession. It is also an inflation situation that we have not faced in three decades. Even though it was the 90s, I know what it is like to be disappointed that one cannot give their children the Christmas presents they wish for. Going back in time, there were surely many of us who felt the small margins as children. It is a tough time.

What is the government doing then? I want to answer that question. We support, for example, as I mentioned earlier, with the housing allowance which is increased and extended. We ensure that the costs of driving a car are lowered. Many who have children also have a car and are dependent on it. We change the reduction obligation and lower the taxes. We also lower the tax for those who work.

All of this makes a difference. But it will still be tough. 2024 will be a tough year with a recession and some increased unemployment. But we will continue to support households and the welfare state in this.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

David Perez (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson.

A press conference was recently held regarding an investigation that looked at the interest rate differential compensation, that is, the fee you pay to settle your fixed mortgage early. The investigation's conclusion landed on that it proposed a flat-rate rule instead of today's fee.

The purpose of the amendment is to increase customer mobility and competition among the banks. Increased competition would, in turn, lead to it becoming both cheaper and better for the customers, in contrast to, for example, a bank tax whose cost would ultimately be passed on to the customers.

My question to the Minister is therefore: Will the Minister work to change the interest rate differential compensation and in that way facilitate for customers to change mortgage loans and banks?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, David Perez, for the question!

It has really become clear this year - these years - when interest rates have risen, how many are also affected by higher mortgage costs.

We have also seen, as many have pointed out here, that the banks are making large profits and have not been at all so quick to raise, for example, the deposit rate as the lending rate.

Politics must do its part. We have produced this investigation, which we are now going through. The basic idea is that it should become cheaper and simpler to change banks.

We are doing more things – for example, we are letting the Competition Authority thoroughly audit this industry.

Households and bank customers also need to do their part and vote with their feet. That is what we want to facilitate.

It is a prioritized and important issue to do this in a very difficult time for many.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Markus Selin (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister of Defence Pål Jonson.

When is Sweden in Nato?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Markus Selin, for the question!

A few weeks ago, President Erdogan decided to hand over our accession protocol to the foreign affairs committee in the Turkish parliament. The question lies there now.

I also participated in the agreement in Vilnius between President Erdogan and Ulf Kristersson. It was clarified then that Turkey will ratify our accession as soon as possible.

It is important that we become members as soon as possible, naturally for Swedish security but also for Nato. I notice a strong support for the Swedish application. Not least, this is about Nato now strengthening the regional plans. Then Nato must have access to Swedish territory, and we have important military capabilities that we can contribute with.

Ultimately, however, it is only Turkey that can make Turkish decisions, and it is only Hungary that can make Hungarian decisions. They are independent parliaments, naturally. But we find strong support for the Swedish application.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Adam Reuterskiöld (M)

Mr. Speaker! At this time, Prime Minister Kristersson pledged a decree that the whole of Sweden would be registered in the population register. It is the first population registration in a long time, and it is held while Elisabeth Svantesson is Finance Minister in Sweden.

Yes, the issue regarding the population register has been ongoing for several years, and now the government has finally begun the work.

It is naturally important to constantly keep track of who lives in Sweden and where they live. It has an impact on the increased welfare crime but also on general problems with the criminal economy.

A high quality in the population register is the prerequisite for a well-functioning society. Therefore, it is important that the state strengthens the control over the population register.

What does the Minister for Finance and the government intend to do in this matter?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Adam Reuterskiöld, for the question!

Yes, there was a tax assessment and population registration taking place just over 2,000 years ago elsewhere in the world, and in Sweden it was well last in the 90s.

Since then, a lot has happened in Sweden, that is the least one can say. We have become very many more. Many have immigrated here, and we have not had control over how many people have been here, who has been here, where they live and if they live in the right place. A typical example from a couple of years ago was the Iraqi defense minister in Iraq who had Swedish contributions.

So we cannot have that, so the government has given a clear mandate to Skatteverket to work with a population census. They have submitted a report on how, what tools they need, and what tools they intend to work with. They have received resources to work and to increase their numbers. They do everything from door-knocking to completely other things to produce a situation report of how it actually looks.

I have myself been involved in knocking on doors and discovered there and then that it was not entirely the right people who lived there, so to speak.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Niklas Sigvardsson (S)

Mr. Speaker! Swedish households are having a tough time, and many are sitting at home in despair over how the Christmas shopping will work out. What should one save on? What must one do without? Sweden is becoming poorer.

At the same time as households are struggling with Christmas shopping and we read in the media that this year's Christmas will have the most expensive food basket in decades, reports are released about the grocery chains' billion-kronor dividends. Just my local Maxibutik in Jönköping has distributed over 1 million a week for the last three years while customers have found it difficult to put food on the table before Christmas.

Still, the SD government says no to proposal after proposal from the Social Democrats, proposals that are intended to strengthen Swedish households.

My question to the Minister for Finance is: How will the government act so that the grocery basket becomes cheaper and so that households can afford their Christmas food?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Finansministern Elisabeth Svantesson (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Niklas Sigvardsson, for also raising a very important issue!

We are now facing a situation with an economic winter that is tougher and colder and bites harder than it has in a very long time. It hits the people who have the very smallest margins.

As I have mentioned earlier, the government is doing several things to support and facilitate for the households that have it toughest. In addition to many of our compensation systems being adjusted and increased with inflation, we have actively ensured that taxes are lowered. We ensure that the housing allowance is extended. We ensure that fuel prices and other things are lowered. As I have said, it will still be tough for many, and the state will not be able to compensate for everything. But we are doing this.

I am also thinking of all the civil society organizations that are currently working actively, voluntarily, and with different types of support. They are doing a fantastic job.

We can as private individuals continue to help there but also highlight those organizations and together in the municipalities and the state facilitate for the people who have it the toughest so that we get through this recession and so that next Christmas can be significantly brighter than this Christmas.

The question period was hereby concluded.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)