Question Time

FÖRSTE VICE TALMANNEN

I would like to welcome the ministers. Questions today will be answered by Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand, Minister Camilla Waltersson Grönvall, Minister Niklas Wykman and Minister Benjamin Dousa.

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. Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand answers both general political questions and questions within her own area of responsibility.

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Fredrik Lundh Sammeli (S)

Mr. Speaker! That criminal networks run HVB homes is a total societal failure. These homes should provide safety, housing, and care to children who need it, not be a business operation for the mafia.

In the media, we have heard the Minister promise that the 18 HVB homes that are identified and said to have a connection to gang crime shall be closed. Three homes have been closed. But still, the vast majority are in operation, and children are placed in these HVB homes. I believe that it makes people upset, angry, and worried about the environment that the children are placed in.

My question is simple and is directed to the Minister for Social Services: When will the remaining HVB homes be closed in accordance with the government's promise?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Fredrik Lundh Sammeli for a question on a subject that I know engages both of us to a very great extent.

That criminal actors are penetrating ever further into the core of the welfare system is extremely serious, but that they also reach the children who particularly have the right to feel safe and secure in society's care is, of course, extremely serious.

The Health and Social Care Inspectorate is the authority that possesses the tools to be able to close HVB homes. The message from the government's side remains just as clear: Of course, these homes shall be closed. The government has therefore ensured both a very clear mandate for the authority as well as extra resources to be able to have supervision over all – that is what the government expects – HVB homes in Sweden.

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Fredrik Lundh Sammeli (S)

Mr. Speaker! We cannot let the most vulnerable children be in the hands of gang criminals. This is a market failure that we really need to address, and a fundamental change is needed.

I am not quite clear on the Minister's answer. The promise was that these HVB homes would be closed. When does the Minister intend for this to happen? And is the Minister and the government fundamentally prepared to deal with this market failure?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! I am somewhat surprised that a member who has sat in the Riksdag for so long is not aware that it is the authorities that own the tools and not the government - thus, it has not been said that the government is not doing everything it can right now to ensure that the responsible authority has exactly the means and tools it needs.

I think, however, that the issue deserves a bit more seriousness. A few days ago, two HVB homes in Västra Götaland were closed. In that case, it was not about private actors but about municipal ones. We must broaden the issue further.

(Applause)

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Carina Ståhl Herrstedt (SD)

Mr. Speaker! On the question of regulating the intervention of accompaniment in a specific piece of legislation, the Minister for Social Services answered me that she first wanted to see the effects of the Socialstyrelsen's educational material directed at the municipalities. She wanted it to yield results before she considered other alternatives.

A month later, we succeeded in getting a motion passed that the government would review the conditions for regulating escorting in a specific law. In the report, it could be read that Socialstyrelsen's proposal for such a regulation was already being prepared in the Government Offices.

We are now approaching 500 days of preparation, or in any case 500 days since the report landed on the minister's desk. The interesting thing here is that we actually do not know which information is correct. Is the government and the minister awaiting the effects of the knowledge material, or is it being prepared at the ministry? Regardless, my question is: When can we expect a decision on what the government intends to do regarding guidance based on the Socialstyrelsen's proposal and the announcement to the government?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Carina Ståhl Herrstedt for a very pertinent question.

Assistance is an effort that is of immense importance in enabling the visually impaired and the blind to be able to participate in society just like all the rest of us.

The report from Socialstyrelsen mentioned here is very important for building knowledge, but it also shows the need to build additional knowledge throughout the municipalities. That the support material arrives is, of course, important to ensure guidance for people who need it.

We will, of course, continue to follow the work with the implementation and ensure that the support material is disseminated, while we also look at the issue from a much broader perspective in other parts.

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Carina Ståhl Herrstedt (SD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank the Minister for the answer. I have full respect for the fact that things take time, even though it is terribly frustrating to constantly hear that things are being prepared.

Given the government's work on involuntary loneliness, it is nevertheless surprising that this is not moving at a slightly faster pace. When the accompaniment does not work, more people risk being subjected to social isolation in practice. Therefore, a decision is important. Can the minister answer whether it requires an additional 500 days, or can we expect a decision in the near future?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! I truly agree that it is an enormous problem when people in need of special support end up in isolation. Therefore, the question is very important for the government, and we are working on finding another solution.

LSS is a piece of legislation that must be followed. We see that it falls short in more areas than companionship. Here, the government will take a larger grip, and we will invite the parties in the Riksdag to deliberate more broadly on LSS.

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Lotta Johnsson Fornarve (V)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Development Cooperation Benjamin Dousa.

Sweden has for a long time been seen as a model globally when it comes to international aid, but the government's budget implies a continued departure from a long tradition in Swedish aid policy. The established one percent goal was already abandoned in the 2022/23 budget bill and was then replaced by a goal that was set in kronor and öre.

In this year's budget, a further reduction of the aid by 3 billion to 53 billion from 2026 is announced. The forecast is that Sweden will fall below the commitment of at least 0.7 percent of GNI in aid in 2028.

To lower aid at a time when global crises overlap and the needs are at their greatest is a blow to the people who are having it hardest in the world. How does the Minister defend this? Does the Minister intend at least to ensure that the aid does not fall below the clear recommendations of the UN and the EU that one should allocate at least 0.7 percent of GNI to aid?

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Statsrådet Benjamin Dousa (M)

Mr. Speaker! Sweden remains one of the world's most generous aid countries. I think we should be proud of that. At the same time, we know that we have major problems at home. We have an exploding gang crime. We have a global situation around the Baltic Sea where investments in new police and in a stronger defense force are also needed. Then the government must prioritize. This government will never promise everything to everyone and then hold thin.

One must remember that an adjustment of the aid budget by 3 billion kronor means that Sweden remains one of the world's most generous countries.

I also want to point out that it is a rather strange order to put a GNI or GNP measure on our money instead of focusing on the fact that they should actually do the most good.

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Lotta Johnsson Fornarve (V)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the answer. I note that I did not receive an answer to the question of whether the Minister at least intends to stand up for the EU's and the UN's recommendations that one should allocate at least 0.7 percent of GNI to aid. It is still a goal that we have agreed upon. I truly hope that the Minister can answer that question.

Then I would like to know how it can be that 2.6 billion is allocated for the Swedish Migration Agency's payment for empty refugee housing. It is actually completely incomprehensible that such a large sum of aid funds is used for that. It should instead go towards support for poor people all over the world.

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Statsrådet Benjamin Dousa (M)

Mr. Speaker! As I pointed out, it is a rather strange order to set a bni or bnp measure in terms of payment character. It is more important to ensure that Swedish tax money ends up where it does the most good. It is also difficult to make these types of forecasts given that we do not know what Sweden's economy will look like in the coming years.

That is the answer to that question.

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Catarina Deremar (C)

Mr. Speaker! In the government statement, we could hear that the government sees the cultural and creative industries as - note - a new base industry in Sweden 2024. Often we also hear government representatives be proud of our Swedish music scene.

If the cultural and creative industries are to continue to have good conditions for development, there needs to be an influx of new talents and creators. Many of our successful musicians and artists, both national and international, have started their careers in rehearsal rooms hosted by one of our studieförbund.

I would like to ask the Minister for Culture: How does the Minister view the future consequences when the student unions, due to the government's policy, are forced to cancel rehearsal rooms, which are so important for our young music enthusiasts?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! Yes, it is undeniable that the cultural and creative industries contribute to making Sweden's cultural life both richer and more fun, I would like to say. Therefore, the government has already presented a strategy for cultural and creative industries during the spring. We have set a goal. And to the vision we have set, we have linked six goals that shall be followed up. This shall occur for the first time during 2026, with a partial review to see how we stand in relation to those goals.

What the government does as a first step in this is to produce statistics, because we see that it has been lacking. What does it actually look like when it comes to the cultural and creative industries? What does it contribute, not just in the form of strengthening cultural life, but actually also when it comes to strengthening the economy and Sweden's image abroad?

All these things naturally affect how we should work with cultural life moving forward. I look forward to continuing to work with that.

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Catarina Deremar (C)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the answer, Minister! Study associations constitute an infrastructure for both culture and education throughout the country. For the Center Party, this is an important issue. Despite the investments that the Minister just mentioned, I am concerned about the government's policy in this area.

What does the Minister for Culture intend to do to ensure that this infrastructure for culture and education shall be maintained throughout the country in the future?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! Yes, it is undeniably an ecosystem that needs to hang together in order to produce skilled musicians, theater creators, cultural creators, and everything else that cultural life needs.

But we also need to look at the whole. We need to ensure there is breadth so that there can be focus. This can be done in different ways. Unfortunately, 30 seconds is not enough to inform about the entire government's work, but I am happy to inform about it at another occasion.

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Jacob Risberg (MP)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Benjamin Dousa. A very warm welcome to the Riksdag's question period! You may perhaps recognize the focus on this issue.

The government has decided to reduce Sweden's aid to 53 billion during the years 2026-2028. This means that we are failing the commitments we have had previously to contribute at least 0.7 percent of GNI, according to current economic forecasts.

In the government's reform agenda presented in December 2023, it can be read: Swedish aid is generous and predictable. The aid budget for 2023-2026 amounts to 56 billion kronor.

Nine months later, that decision is therefore overturned. I wonder: What actually happened to predictability? Is it the government's intention that we should fall below 0.7 percent of GDP? We didn't really get an answer to that question earlier. Should we expect even more cuts from the government in the coming years?

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Statsrådet Benjamin Dousa (M)

Mr. Speaker! Regarding the first question about having a specific payout target, I refer to my first answer. I believe it is a rather strange arrangement that we decide it should be in relation to how strong Sweden's growth is, that we automatically must pay out more in aid if it is stronger. It is a better arrangement to ensure that the important projects where Swedish aid can actually make a difference receive the funding that is needed.

Regarding the second question, we are announcing this precisely to create long-term stability and predictability. The Government believes it is very important not to change position from one state budget to another. It is therefore why we are now, well in advance before this actually takes effect, announcing that we are lowering the aid framework from 56 to 53 billion.

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Jacob Risberg (MP)

Mr. Speaker! I am not quite sure that I became particularly much wiser. What has been said clearly is that Swedish aid shall be predictable and long-term. Yet, decisions are made to lower the aid that was previously announced, by 56 billion. It has now been lowered to 53 billion. How can we be sure that it will not be lowered further during the next budget period?

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Statsrådet Benjamin Dousa (M)

Mr. Speaker! We are maintaining the aid framework that we have previously decided on, and we will maintain the new aid framework that we have also decided on. This is not a change to the aid framework that has already been decided and communicated. This creates clear rules of the game for civil society organizations and for the Swedish aid commitment in the matter.

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Louise Meijer (M)

Mr. Speaker! On Monday, it will be one year since Hamas carried out the worst massacre of Jews that we have seen since the Holocaust.

I want to reinforce what the Prime Minister said on Monday. Racism and intolerance are, of course, reprehensible, regardless of whom or what they are directed against. But antisemitism holds a special position. No other group faces hate and threats from so many sides simultaneously—from neo-Nazism, right-wing extremism, and autonomous violence-oriented left, but also from Islamism and an antisemitism with roots in the Middle East.

No other minority or group in Sweden has, in such a short time, seen such an acute and severe deterioration of their opportunities to live an open and free life.

My question to Minister Parisa Liljestrand is therefore: What initiatives are being made by the Moderate-led government to ensure the safety of Jews in Sweden?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is undeniable that we live in changing times, and especially for the Jewish minority, this is a time when congregations and organizations live with constant threats, vandalism, and various types of attacks.

We also know that large parts of the membership fees that the organizations receive go towards managing security. That was also why the government in the previous budget, i.e., for the current year, allocated funds for security-enhancing measures. We are doing that again. Now we are adding an additional 10 million kronor in permanent funds that are earmarked for Jewish organizations to work with security in the short term.

We must remember that this is an issue that, in the short term, we need to work on regarding security and safety. But in the long term, we need to strengthen the possibility of being able to live in freedom in Sweden.

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Louise Meijer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Many thanks to the Minister for the answer!

Many Swedish Jews fear for their family's safety. It is smashed windows, scribbled swastikas and death threats, students who encounter antisemitism in school and politicians who spread antisemitism on social media.

Next year, Sweden celebrates 250 years of Jewish life here. At that point, I wonder: How can we ensure that it becomes a turning point for the situation of Jews in Sweden?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! I will summarize it by saying that the government is focusing on three measures that, both in the short and long term, will be able to strengthen the possibilities to live a free Jewish life in Sweden.

It is about security-enhancing measures to ensure safety and security.

It is about education and knowledge-enhancing measures in connection with that.

It is also about the possibility of being able to live a free Jewish life, which requires measures moving forward.

I look forward to continuing to work on these issues.

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Gudrun Brunegård (KD)

Mr. Speaker! My question concerns transitional solutions for civil society organizations that have previously had their aid projects funded through one of the 17 strategic partner organizations, the SPOs.

The government decided a few weeks ago to introduce a new system with an implementation plan with a transition period extending until September next year to facilitate a seamless transition between the different systems. But after the notifications earlier this year that the system with SPOs would be discontinued, it was several civil society organizations that, believing the system would change from the turn of the year, terminated their contracts with their previous SPOs.

Now there is a concern among the organizations that a gap will arise before their new applications have been approved. What can Minister for Development Cooperation Dousa do to ensure that this does not happen so that they are not left without funding?

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Statsrådet Benjamin Dousa (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is evident that there have been problems with the previous CSO strategy, which has fundamentally not changed since the 70s. Therefore, the government is restructuring large parts of the aid policy, and this is an important piece of the puzzle in that.

The government has listened to the concern expressed by several SPOs and other civil society organizations, and therefore we have introduced this transition period until the end of September, which Sida can use to run the two systems in parallel simultaneously. After that, it will be up to Sida, our responsible agency, to implement this and ensure that it becomes as seamless a transition as possible.

I have spoken with several civil society organizations, and my impression is that people are pleased that the government has listened and that the transition period is in place.

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Gudrun Brunegård (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Minister, for the answer! I agree with the picture that the new system has been well received by the organizations. One can see that the government has listened.

It is important that aid going to projects for poverty reduction, the safety and development of women and girls, and health care for the most vulnerable is not affected by gaps during the project period due to uncertainties about when things would come into effect.

My question is again whether these organizations can count on a quick processing time so that there are no such gaps.

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Statsrådet Benjamin Dousa (M)

Mr. Speaker! I truly agree that civil society plays a very important role. Civil society often has humanitarian access in a way that Sida or the state does not, so it is very important that the organizations also feel they are included in the new CSO strategy.

It is as has been said that Sida is ultimately responsible for the implementation itself, but we have clearly signaled that it is important that the transition becomes as seamless as is possible so that one can focus on not just dealing with administration and bureaucracy but actually making a difference in Swedish aid work.

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Ingela Nylund Watz (S)

Mr. Speaker! Over the last five years, only 17 percent of mortgage customers have switched banks, even though many are being pressured very hard by the high interest rates. The marketing from the banks consistently reports so-called list rates which are not actually the rates that become reality for the borrowers. This makes it practically impossible for consumers to compare the banks' offers, and it thus becomes difficult to obtain better terms or to switch banks.

We Social Democrats have presented a long series of proposals to increase competition in the mortgage market, for example, to limit the banks' right to work with so-called list rates and to use SBAB and give them more tools to increase competition. The government, however, has not been in the slightest interested in that type of proposal.

My question to Minister Wykman is: Why is the SD-led government so uninterested in increasing competition in the mortgage market? Why does the government always take the banks' side instead of the consumers'?

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Statsrådet Niklas Wykman (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you particularly for the objectivity and the lack of rhetorical finesse in the matter!

Ingela Nylund Watz and the Social Democrats had such a long time. One of the major bottlenecks for being able to change banks was the amortization basis, and finally, something has happened in that area. Now, one should be able to obtain the amortization basis digitally in a prompt manner, which is very welcome. It is very important for competition in the banking market and for the strength as a customer in a bank to be able to quickly gain access to this type of information digitally.

We in Sweden, and in some other countries, have quite a large negative experience with using a state bank to manipulate the market. One must be cautious from the perspective of financial stability. This is something Ingela Nylund Watz and the Socialdemokraterna are aware of.

Regarding all other proposals to improve transparency for customers and their strength, the government is positively inclined.

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Per Söderlund (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question also goes to the Minister for Finance.

The Riksbank, as is known, lowered the policy rate by 0.25 percentage points last week. The big banks do not lower their lending rate by as much, and the reduction often occurs with a delay. Furthermore, a so-called variable interest rate is in practice tied to three months, which means it can take quite a long time for the interest rate to be affected even for those who have a variable rate. In the meantime, of course, the banks earn money on it.

The large banks' oligopoly-like situation also complicates switching banks, which would otherwise be an opportunity to negotiate different terms and thus an opportunity to influence one's personal finances.

In response to a question from Eric Westroth, Niklas Wykman has previously answered that the Finansinspektionen has acted on the possibility of obtaining amortization documents digitally. This would facilitate things, which we have just received some answers on here. Work is also ongoing, which is good.

I want to ask Niklas Wykman if he intends to take further measures to facilitate bank switching.

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Statsrådet Niklas Wykman (M)

Mr. Speaker! This is a very important issue. It can be noted that the digital amortization basis through the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority's work has now become a reality. It is important. We have also had a mandate to strengthen competition in the banking sector.

It is clear that the customer's desire to contact their bank, make demands on their bank, and ultimately change banks if they do not receive sufficiently good terms is central to good competition. But also the supervision we have over the rules that exist and active agency work to ensure that the banks' regulatory compliance is good contributes. We also have investigations that are now being prepared, for example regarding the interest rate differential compensation, which strengthens the customers' position in the banking market.

So, a broad work is underway. However, it will never end and will need to continue continuously.

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Christofer Bergenblock (C)

Mr. Speaker! Just like a previous speaker, I intend to pose a question to the Minister for Social Services regarding the right to companionship. We have already established that there has been a major reduction of this right according to LSS over the last ten years - this despite the fact that companionship in many cases is an absolute necessity for those who are blind or have a visual impairment to be able to live a full life.

We heard earlier in the Minister's response that she, with careful precision, avoided answering the question of how the government views the announcement that the Riksdag made before the summer regarding investigating new legislation on accompaniment. The Minister spoke about it being important to have increased support material for the municipalities and that accompaniment was generally important, but no answer to the question was given.

My question to the Minister for Social Services is therefore: Does the Minister intend to follow the request that the Swedish Riksdag has directed to the Government to investigate new legislation regarding the intervention of accompaniment?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much, Christofer Bergenblock, for another question on a very important subject! It concerns the conditions and rights for people in our country to participate in society and be a part of it on the same terms as we others.

This is, of course, an issue that the government is looking into. An announcement in the Swedish Riksdag naturally means that the government takes this very seriously – we have done so all along – and is working with the LSS legislation broadly. When it specifically concerns the issue of accompaniment, a preparation is now being initiated in the Government Offices.

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Mats Berglund (MP)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand. In this year's budget proposal, the government has reduced the support to the study associations by 100 million kronor. Over the mandate period, a third of the state support is to be removed.

This has had consequences. Activities have been shut down, and the number of study associations has decreased. But when also premises—rehearsal rooms and activity premises—are forced to close, it is not only the study associations and education that are affected, but also the association life, the cultural life in particular, and civil society. The site's cutback map lists a number of such examples. Representatives for the cultural life have requested an investigation and analysis of the societal and cultural consequences of the cuts.

My question to the Minister of Culture is therefore: Does the Minister have knowledge of these effects across the entire country, or can the Minister be expected to perform such a consequence analysis of the cuts to the support for folkbildningen?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is undeniable that this government stands up for education in many different ways. Popular education is a part of education in our country.

Tough times require tough priorities – we have said this repeatedly. We currently have high unemployment. That means we have shifted a part of what previously fell within the framework of folkbildningen and are now investing in the universities of applied sciences so that people will also acquire a profession, something that, so to speak, they can use in their education to contribute further to both their own development and society.

It is not the case that we have removed all the money, which it can sometimes sound like. This government is still spending almost 4 billion kronor on folk education throughout Sweden. Together with this, we are also making a number of other efforts to strengthen education in Sweden as a whole.

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Thomas Ragnarsson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I would like to ask a question to Social Services Minister Camilla Waltersson Grönvall. On 1 January 2025, new legislation regarding confidentiality on site will come into effect. Everyone who works in professions covered by confidentiality legislation knows what problems it creates when one is to cooperate between different authorities. Today's regulatory framework is so tangled that it is often impossible to discern whether one can break confidentiality or not. The fear of making a mistake has been so great that existing laws have probably even been over-interpreted so that one can be on the safe side. This has been a major obstacle in inter-agency cooperation, especially for operations that fall under the Minister's jurisdiction.

My question is therefore: How does the Minister believe this legislative change will change the work of the social services in the future?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much, Thomas Ragnarsson, for the question! The Government has been very clear: If there are confidentiality barriers that make it impossible for us to work in an effective way, both regarding children and young people who are heading into crime and in order to prevent welfare crime, these barriers shall be removed. We are now working consistently and purposefully to achieve this.

Secrecy legislation is a sensitive issue. Naturally, it is the correct information that should be shared. The first part of this concerns that more actors must now provide information, including to the police, when there is suspicion that different kinds of crimes are occurring.

We move on now. It is not possible today for social services, school, and police to sit around the same table and deliberate about a young person entering a life of crime. By removing these confidentiality barriers, this will become possible.

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Larry Söder (KD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Niklas Wykman. On March 1, 2018, the Social Democratic government introduced the increased amortization requirement. I mean that the increased amortization requirement makes it impossible for young people to enter the owned housing market and that mobility in the housing market decreases because of this. I also mean that young people benefit most from the owned housing market in the long run. It is therefore socially, economically, and ecologically best for a young person to enter the owned housing market.

The government has itself, in an investigation directive, noted the problems with this. It states that it is unfortunate that we have an increased amortization requirement. The committee has been tasked with analyzing whether the amortization requirement can be designed more purposefully.

My question to the Minister is whether it is not simpler to just remove the increased amortization requirement instead of trying to reformulate it or redo it in one way or another.

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Statsrådet Niklas Wykman (M)

Mr. Speaker! To answer the question directly: no. We would have done that instead of appointing an inquiry.

These rules have been introduced because we have a high level of indebtedness in Sweden and Swedish households are, in that way, very exposed. This is often pointed out by various international assessors as a risk in the Swedish economy; that is why we have these types of measures. Such measures have been introduced in a long line of countries.

But since these measures began to be introduced during and after the financial crisis, much knowledge and research has been added, and that is why we have appointed the investigation, which will soon deliver its conclusions. We will, of course, continue to work with them. Just as Larry Söder points out, much criticism has been voiced from high-ranking positions regarding how these rules are designed in Sweden, that is to say, that they are not effective and expedient in the way one would wish.

Much knowledge has been acquired, and therefore it will become an investigation. Then we will be able to analyze the investigation's proposals, and so we will return.

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Olle Thorell (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to Minister Dousa and concerns the restructuring of the aid policy. We have previously received some answers to the question of whether Sweden is now aligning itself with the UN's recommendation of 0.7 percent of GNI for aid; the answer is that it is more important that the aid is predictable. It is clear that with Benjamin Dousa as Minister for Development Cooperation, the aid is less predictable from year to year. This can be questioned further.

My question, however, concerns the policy for global development, a reform that was introduced in 2003 after extensive anchoring work and was intended to avoid goal conflicts and hold together Sweden's global policy. Now the government has abolished this policy, and the framework no longer exists. How then is it to be possible to resolve goal conflicts in order to achieve the Agenda 2030 goals?

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

Statsrådet Benjamin Dousa (M)

Mr. Speaker! The government's policy is best summarized in the reform agenda that the government decided on at the end of last year. The answers to many of the questions the member has are in this reform agenda. We want to focus the aid significantly more and have fewer strategies. We want to do more where we can make a difference, i.e., water where it grows. We also want increased focus on transparency, predictability, and traceability in the use of taxpayers' money. The new thing, which I believe is partly an ideological issue, is to link aid with trade in a clearer way. Many of the representatives I meet from countries that receive Swedish aid often return to the point that they absolutely want Swedish aid but also want to trade more with Swedish companies. This was not included in the previous Social Democratic government's aid policy.

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

Mona Olin (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall.

A legislative change that entered into force this spring provides expanded possibilities to use coercive measures in Sis-homes. This includes, among other things, restrictions regarding the use of means of communication such as telephone and internet. Employees at Sis-homes have expressed that the legislative change contributes to creating a safer working environment for both staff and youths. It also provides a better opportunity to control the youths' communication with unsuitable persons. By limiting contacts, the interventions at the youth homes can become more effective and contribute to long-term rehabilitation.

Does the Minister see possible rule changes within even other levels of Sis-homes and HVB-homes to also help and protect those youths who do not end up in Sis-homes with the highest protection classification?

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

Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Mona Olin for an important question.

The Member of Parliament is referring to the legislation introduced on April 1 of this year, which makes it impossible for persons staying in Sis-homes with the highest security classification to have contact with the outside world to obtain drugs and weapons. Furthermore, it makes it impossible for criminal networks to have contact inside these Sis-homes.

It is already possible to also make individual decisions for the children and young people placed in the Sis homes with lower security classifications. But now the government is proceeding with giving the HVB homes essentially the same powers as Sis has. It is about limiting the use of mobile phones, ensuring that no drugs and weapons are brought in, and conducting entry checks and urine tests. The government is now working on this in order to be able to introduce it as soon as possible.

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

Martina Johansson (C)

Mr. Speaker! We need to constantly improve for children and young people, and we must start here and now. Sis has been tasked with providing children and young people placed with them with an independent adult they can turn to when they have not received the right treatment or the right handling. Organizations such as Barnrättsbyrån are such an independent adult today, and there is a cooperation. But the problem is that the government has not ensured that there are also independent financial resources. Independent children's ombudsmen for all socially placed children and young people will come, but now I am talking about those who have it hardest here and now.

My question to Camilla Waltersson Grönvall is: Why does the government not provide money to the independent organizations in the budget so that the work within Sis with those who have it hardest can continue here and now?

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

Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Martina Johansson for the question.

I must ask the Member of Parliament to carefully read through the government's budget. Unlike the Center Party's 3 million for an independent children's ombudsman, the government allocates 20 million to this in its budget.

(Applause)

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

Ida Drougge (M)

Mr. Speaker! In 1995, it became illegal in Sweden to sell lottery tickets on credit. Some actors, however, found loopholes in the legislation, so in 2002 this credit ban was therefore expanded and tightened. After 2002, it was discovered that some lotteries nevertheless sold lottery tickets on credit. At that time, the regulations were not tightened, but instead, exceptions were introduced for certain lotteries. It was said that if there were special reasons, some would still be allowed to sell lottery tickets on credit.

Since then, much has happened, and we know that above all, the Social Democrats' lotteries use very deceptive behaviors in their sales and operations. Against this background, is there reason to review whether the credit ban needs to be supplemented and changed, Minister for Finance?

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

Statsrådet Niklas Wykman (M)

Mr. Speaker! First and foremost, I must say that I reacted with dismay at the information that has appeared in the media regarding the sale of lotteries.

In a slightly broader perspective, it is perfectly natural that certain things occur in an economy. However, that does not mean that all variants of them are welcome. For example, it is good that one can borrow and lend money. But it is not good to borrow money that one cannot pay back, and above all, it is catastrophic to lend money to people who cannot pay it back. Being able to borrow is central to an economy, but being able to borrow to then immediately gamble the money away is something that needs to be countered with force. Therefore, the government is working on concrete proposals to move forward so that one cannot gamble on credit in Sweden, because it puts people in appalling situations and can destroy the lives of entire families. As a moral direction, one should not be able to gamble on borrowed money or on credit.

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

Roland Utbult (KD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.

We know that a 17-year-old who reads a lot during their upbringing has approximately 50,000-70,000 words to use, while a 17-year-old who has read little or not at all has approximately 15,000-17,000 words to use. The results in the PISA and PIRLS surveys in 2022 show that reading proficiency among Swedish children is declining, which is deeply worrying. How one reads in the family, as well as the use of social media, affects book reading. The use of social media also affects sleep and health and can lead to increased loneliness, something the Minister for Social Affairs has noted.

What is the government doing to reverse the trend regarding children's and young people's reading?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! This is truly a matter of the heart for both me and the government. As I said in a previous answer, this is part of strengthening education in Sweden at large, and then we must start with the children.

A lot is happening within the framework of reading, partly in the legislation, and partly with targeted government grants for adequate literature and adequate teaching materials. On July 1 this year, the Education Act was tightened regarding students' access to teaching materials in the school environment. We have tasked Skolverket and Kulturrådet with producing reading lists to help schools find good literature for children to read. From the half-year turn next year, a law on staffed school libraries will be introduced, and within the framework of Skapande skola, we are making an investment that enables students to meet authors to a greater extent. These are just some of the things the government is working on.

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

Louise Thunström (S)

Mr. Speaker! The consequences of the substantial cuts to student unions are now showing in more and more places. During the recent period, it has been reported that rehearsal rooms must be closed down. There simply is not enough money to continue running them.

There is often talk about the Swedish music miracle and that the rehearsal rooms of the municipal music schools, cultural schools, and study associations have been prerequisites for major Swedish international successes in the field of music. This is true, but I am thinking of those who are being hit hardest right now, namely ordinary music-interested youths all around our country.

My question to the Minister for Culture is: Where are children and young people supposed to be, and how can the young culture be able to grow if there is nowhere for them to hang out and develop?

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

Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question. It is good that I am receiving the question several times, because then I get more minutes to explain the answer. That is perfectly fine, so I am happy to answer again.

When it comes to the student unions, the government has chosen to prioritize within the framework of what we are doing to transition in order to contribute to strengthening professional opportunities; that is to say, we are shifting some of the money into the universities of applied sciences to enable people to take their interest and their knowledge further into a profession and to strengthen the work line.

When it comes to the opportunity for children and young people to hang out, it is clear that it is part of the ecosystem that the entire cultural life is built on. Everyone has a responsibility there. Above all, there is a responsibility on the municipalities to make places available for children and young people to spend time in.

It is not, however, as it sounds to the member, that all the money disappears, but the government also continues to spend almost 4 billion kronor on folkbildningen.

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

Jonas Andersson (SD)

Mr. Speaker! I have a question for the Minister for Financial Markets Wykman.

For several weeks in a row, we have been able to follow media reporting on the deeply dishonest activities that the Social Democrats' lottery has turned out to be. The Social Democrats' lottery has, through companies they have hired, systematized the pressure on vulnerable elderly Swedes to gamble away their money on the party's lottery. Gang criminals and wanted criminals have been involved in the company that the Social Democrats' lottery has invested in.

As recently as yesterday, the news came that the Social Democrats continue to hire external telemarketing companies despite having said that they would stop doing so. The scandals surrounding the Social Democrats' lottery appear to just continue, and this naturally damages the trust in the funding of the political parties.

Since the beginning of the year, there has been a completed investigation on the government's desk regarding the regulation of party-political lotteries. Here I want to say that the Sweden Democrats advocate for a total ban, which is one of the proposals contained in the investigation.

What I wonder is: What does the timeline look like to submit a proposal to the Riksdag to regulate party-political lotteries?

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

Statsrådet Niklas Wykman (M)

Mr. Speaker! First and foremost, the information that has emerged is shocking. I believe, unfortunately, that many of us are relatives to or acquainted with some elderly person who has been affected by some type of fraud or crime in Sweden during recent years. Gangs ruthlessly exploit the vulnerability of the elderly to obtain money.

When it comes to the question of gambling, it is obviously a different matter, but let me emphasize how central it is that political forces and the state are on the same side against the gangs and act with force so that elderly people can be safe in Sweden.

When it comes to the process for new legislation in this area, the government, together with the Sweden Democrats, has an established process for this, and proposals on the issue can be expected around the turn of the year.

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Anders Ådahl (C)

Mr. Speaker! Once again, we must delve into popular education. Popular education constitutes a cohesive ecosystem in society that welcomes everyone, regardless of age, background, and functional ability. Dismantling a cohesive ecosystem can, in the long run, have devastating consequences for Sweden as a country. In many parts of the country, popular education is also often the only cultural actor that can broaden perspectives and reduce polarization.

As we have heard, study associations provide, for example, rehearsal rooms for the next generation of the Swedish musical miracle. We in Centerpartiet clearly stand up for the value of folk education. In our budget, we reject the dismantling of folk education.

Now I would like to ask the minister Liljestrand, somewhat more pointedly: What makes the government invest in cheap snus instead of in public education?

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

Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! I do not think I intend to answer the question as it is formulated, but I intend instead to try to answer it as I believe the member means.

It is interesting that people speak of a dismantling when the government has continued to spend almost 4 billion kronor on, among other things, folkbildningen and studieförbunden in Sweden.

The government also takes responsibility for one of the largest educational institutions we have in this country, namely the school. We do this by strengthening the knowledge school and by ensuring that all children get the same opportunities to approach education, receive knowledge from the ground up, take in learning materials in physical form, and get access to fiction.

It is there that education begins. This is the most important contribution we can make for our children and young people and to strengthen education in this country.

(Applause)

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

Fredrik Saweståhl (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Benjamin Dousa.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the then Director General of Sida – the S-marked Director General, it should perhaps be emphasized – during his final time as Director General, made a number of economic decisions that went directly against the decisions that the government has taken and which this elected assembly stands behind.

In total, it amounts to 1.2 billion kronor. This is serious. That directors-general obstruct democratically made decisions, against the government and against the Riksdag is serious. The actions have damaged the trust in Myndighetssverige, for Sida and for Swedish aid.

Against this background, I would like to ask the Minister: Is the government planning or considering further measures to ensure that heads of agencies cannot actively undermine democratically made decisions in the way that Sida's former director-general has done?

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Statsrådet Benjamin Dousa (M)

Mr. Speaker! I can state that Sida has a new director-general, Jakob Granit, in whom we have great confidence.

Regarding the aid policy, specifically, it is largely about the CSO strategy, where we clarify what is required to become a partner to Sida, so that it becomes clear to taxpayers and to other civil society organizations why some receive money and others do not.

Why the former director-general has acted as she has, I unfortunately cannot answer, but I can state that with the new strategy it will become very clear, also towards the Swedish people, what Sida is to work with and not with, and why certain organizations receive money and others do not.

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Björn Wiechel (S)

Mr. Speaker! We have all been able to take part in the information regarding the Director General of the Financial Supervisory Authority and the authority's matter linked to the Director General's previous role at the Pensions Agency.

The situation where the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen) must audit its own head has been described as absurd and unsustainable. Responsible Minister Wykman has commented on the events by stating that he continues to have confidence in the Director General and refers back to Finansinspektionen. The question, however, is about the authority's credibility and whether citizens and actors in the financial markets have confidence in its exercise of authority.

I therefore wonder how the responsible minister intends to act. What does the minister themselves intend to do to create order in this?

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Statsrådet Niklas Wykman (M)

Mr. Speaker! First and foremost, the parliamentary rostrum may not be the best forum for handling personnel matters, regardless of what they concern, but just as Björn Wiechel said, I have confidence in the Director General of the Financial Supervisory Authority. The government has confidence in all its directors general until otherwise notified.

Financial markets in general are built on the existence of great trust, information, and transparency, and on the fact that questions are answered, regulations are followed, and that one stands available for different types of questions and audits. I note that there is reporting in the media about the audit that Finansinspektionen is conducting regarding a number of investments, and it remains to be seen, both for me and for the Member of Parliament, what that audit ultimately results in.

I say it again, however: The Government has confidence in its directors-general until otherwise notified.

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Nima Gholam Ali Pour (SD)

Mr. Speaker! In recent years, several European governments have distanced themselves from the aid organization Islamic Relief due to the organization's links to Islamist organizations and antisemitism. This is a consequence of the US Special Envoy to Counteract Antisemitism publishing a statement in 2020 in which antisemitic remarks from leading representatives of Islamic Relief were detailed and condemned.

Unfortunately, Sweden continues, through the aid agency Sida, to provide support to Islamic Relief. This year, 156 million kronor have been paid out to Islamic Relief. Will Minister Benjamin Dousa work to ensure that the support to Islamic Relief ceases?

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Statsrådet Benjamin Dousa (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question.

In the government's reform agenda *Bistånd för en ny era*, it clearly appears that Swedish aid shall not support actors that are non-democratic or in other ways hinder or prevent Swedish interests. It also appears that the government intends to ensure that recipients of support to civil society do not have links to violence-promoting ideologies, extremism or Islamism.

I can also state that the UD has for some time had a dialogue with Sida regarding whether Islamic Relief meets the requirements set for recipients of Swedish aid. Financial support channeled by civil society shall, just like other aid, be long-term, transparent, effective and in no way undermine Sweden's interests or support violent ideologies.

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Emma Ahlström Köster (M)

Mr. Speaker! Culture plays a very important role when it comes to holding our society together and strengthening its community, but in strained economic times it is also important to be able to prioritize and focus on the areas and efforts that can contribute to this the most.

In the budget for 2025, the government and the Minister for Culture have chosen to prioritize strengthening Skapande skola. In what way is this initiative particularly important?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question.

Skapande skola is an activity that was actually introduced by my Moderate representative in this position, Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth. It was a Moderate reform, and what we are doing now is to strengthen it with additional funds. We are strengthening it by 30 percent compared to how it looks today.

The idea with this is that all children moving in our schools and preschools should be given the opportunity to encounter culture in different ways during their upbringing. I said here earlier that the school is our greatest educational institution, and by strengthening Skapande skola as we are now doing, we enable two out of three children in Sweden to encounter culture during their upbringing. It is something that it is worth being proud of.

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Mirja Räihä (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand, and it is a question that we have actually discussed a couple of times before.

The national minority languages and minority cultures must be preserved, developed, and passed on to future generations. They have long been an important part of our country's cultural and linguistic diversity.

The language centers supported by the state have proven to be important and appreciated actors in preserving and developing languages and cultural heritage. Now, the government has presented a budget that entails a sharp cut in funding: from 28 million kronor to language centers for Finnish, Yiddish, Meänkieli, and Romani Chib, and 11 million to the Sami language center, the language centers must now share 8.5 million kronor. Sometimes the word "slaughter" is used in budget contexts, and rarely has it been more justified than this time. This means in practice that the language centers must be shut down.

My question to the Minister for Culture is: How do the Minister for Culture and the government intend to ensure that the important work of preserving our minority languages can continue and not lose momentum? How does the Minister intend to follow up that these are priority issues for the government?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! I can please the members: In the budget bill, the Government has allocated funds to the language centers in the form of a sum of 8.5 million kronor, but the Government has also stated that the language centers constitute an incredibly important activity for our minorities and their opportunities to preserve and develop their languages. In the regulatory letter process that will take place very soon, the Government will therefore return with how the total framework shall look.

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Runar Filper (SD)

Mr. Speaker! I address the Minister for Culture.

Finally, the church antiquarian compensation has been increased! When the church and the state went their separate ways, it was proposed that the state should provide funds at a level that was successively increased to 460 million kronor per year. The successive introduction was completed in 2009, and since then, no further increase has been made, despite inflation and decreased monetary value. Therefore, the government's and the Sverigedemokraternas increase of 30 million per year is a long-awaited step in the right direction.

If one recalculates the 460 million that was originally decided upon to today's monetary value, it corresponds to more than 700 million kronor. My question to the minister therefore is: What is the minister's position on continued increases in the future, in order to counteract inflation and reduced monetary value?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is absolutely correct as the member says in his speech: Finally, the church antiquarian compensation is being increased! We are raising the amount from 460 million kronor to 490 million kronor, and it is a very welcome addition for our churches all around the country. They do a fantastic job of preserving the rich heritage that exists within the church and enabling people to take part in it, as well as by enabling open premises and activities that people can seek out.

Regarding upcoming funds and budget supplements, there is nothing I can comment on now. However, I can say that I am very happy and proud that after 15 years we are finally increasing the church antiquarian compensation. The church has needed this for a long time, and now the moderate-led government is finally doing it.

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Ewa Pihl Krabbe (S)

Mr. Speaker! The government's decision for 2024 to stop indexing the grants to the cultural cooperation model in line with price and wage increases has had major consequences for the regional cultural institutions. Now, an annual reduction of the total grant to regional cultural activities by 20 million is also proposed, which will have a significant negative effect on the cultural activities that are affected. Regions and municipalities are in a strained position, and as it stands now, they likely do not have the possibility to compensate.

I want to ask the Minister for Culture what measures the Minister intends to take so that regional cultural institutions within the cultural cooperation model are not forced to be decommissioned.

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! In the budget that is now on the Riksdag's table, we have chosen to make an investment in Skapande skola, and we are financing that within the framework by taking a portion from what occurs within the framework of the cultural cooperation model.

One might ask how I can propose such a thing. The answer is that we see that Skapande skola has an immense power to reach many children and young people locally in different places all around Sweden. What we also see is that it contributes to cultural creators actually being able to live off what they do to a greater extent because they can offer their services both locally and regionally.

It is also the case that we from the state side, despite using a part of the funds from the cultural cooperation model for Skapande skola, still invest almost a third - almost 1.7 billion kronor - in the cultural cooperation model to enable municipalities, regions, and the state to work together on culture.

The question period was hereby concluded.

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