Question Time

TREDJE VICE TALMANNEN

I would like to welcome the ministers. Questions today will be answered by Minister for Climate and Environment Romina Pourmokhtari, Minister for Education, Research and Innovation Lotta Edholm, Minister for Financial Markets Niklas Wykman, and Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand (M).

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. The question shall therefore not concern, for example, conditions within political parties. Minister for Climate and Environment Romina Pourmokhtari answers both general political questions and questions within her own area of responsibility.

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Lena Hallengren (S)

Madam Speaker! For three years, the Sweden Democrats and the government have tried to govern Sweden. For three years, the government and the Sweden Democrats have let welfare capitalists extract million-profit gains and buy Porsche cars. They live luxury lives on our tax money – money that should go to our children and to preschool.

Aftonbladet's latest review of profit-driven preschool corporations is hair-raising to say the least and is just another in a series of examples of greedy actors making a profit on our children. Now, they are saving on butter, vegetables, and fruit. Preschool staff are forced to forgo meals so that the children can eat until they are full, and the children are made to watch the children's program Babblarna on an iPad instead of participating in pedagogical activities.

My question to Minister for Climate and Environment Romina Pourmokhtari is: Why do the Sweden Democrats and the government choose to put welfare capitalists ahead of our children?

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Klimat- och miljöministern Romina Pourmokhtari (L)

Madam Speaker! Yes, independent schools have fewer qualified teachers, larger class sizes and major problems with grade corruption. It is something that, not least the Liberals as a party, have pointed out and tried to tackle for many years.

Almost not a day goes by without one reading about new scandals where school funds have gone to extremists in Somalia or waffle huts in the mountains, and from the government's side, we have been extremely clear: the children need to come before the listed companies. The government has pulled out a number of different measures to address this. Among other things, we are moving forward with proposals on profit bans in cases of quality deficiencies, something that was not done during the past eight years despite there being knowledge of the problems with the independent school system. No major changes occurred during eight long years.

I am very happy and proud that the Tidö government is not wasting this time but is instead taking strong action on stricter conditions for the independent school sector – something I hope and believe that even the Social Democrats will also view positively.

(Applause)

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Lena Hallengren (S)

Madam Speaker! How good that all the parties in the Tidö government applaud the ban on profit in schools and preschools! It is something that the Social Democrats have pushed for for a long time.

Given that Romina Pourmokhtari stands here in the speaker's chair and says that profit extraction is not reasonable, it is incomprehensible how the government can reject a proposal concerning a profit ban. It is profit limitation we are talking about. Nor is it a mistake, but rather a deliberate choice of path. "Irresponsible" is too weak a word, I think. A profit ban and a profit stop in school activities are required – nothing less than that.

(Applause)

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Klimat- och miljöministern Romina Pourmokhtari (L)

Madam Speaker! Yes, it is certainly true that the Social Democrats have for a long time pushed for the free school system to be tightened. On the other hand, for a long time, no proper measures have been taken that address the issue. To push issues is certainly honorable, but what counts in reality is what actually happens.

I am very proud that the Tidö Government is not wasting this time but is instead dedicating it to moving forward with the investigated proposals we have identified to tackle those who exploit the free school system, so that we can actually achieve a well-functioning school for all students in Sweden.

(Applause)

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Sara Gille (SD)

Madam Speaker! The Sweden Democrats have for many years been driving the idea that Sweden needs a cultural canon to make Swedish culture visible and accessible, to educate and to include. Therefore, after the 2022 election, it was a great victory for us to have included that as part of the Tidö Agreement.

In December 2023, the work began in earnest, and now the canon is finally here. It has great value for us to be able to agree and unite around it, and we see it as an important, living basis in the work to strengthen Swedish culture now and for the future. If one comes to Sweden, one should be able to see what Swedish culture means and what has shaped us as a nation. It is therefore an important message of strength for us that we, together with the government, have ensured that this has become a reality.

My question is directed to Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand. How does the Minister intend to continue working to strengthen Swedish culture with a Swedish cultural canon as a basis?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! Many thanks to Sara Gille for the question!

It is truly a joy to receive the culture cannon for Sweden. A simple answer to the question is: Now the culture cannon is here. It exists, it lives, and it is already developing. We see this through all the citizen initiatives that have been taken around in all of Sweden. Local cannons are being produced, schools are bringing out the students' own cannon, and people have in different ways engaged in what became the people's cannon, where over 10,000 proposals were submitted.

That the canon now exists and is alive is therefore perfectly clear. It is a way to continue building on the cultural canon for Sweden that has been developed. How we will then ensure that we continue to manage the cultural canon for Sweden, we will continue to work on from the government's side.

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Sara Gille (SD)

Madam Speaker! For the Sweden Democrats, it is important that a cultural canon does not just become a shelf-warmer but is actually used in practice, for example – and not least – within schools and upper secondary schools, where young people encounter Swedish cultural history. Can the Minister elaborate on in what way the government intends to ensure that it becomes a living tool, and does the government intend to conduct a dialogue with other ministers on how the work can be implemented across several policy areas?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! We will take note of the proposals contained in the committee's report. There are a number of proposals that the committee has looked at regarding how we should ensure that we manage this cultural canon in the best possible way and also ensure that it lives and does not become a shelf-warmer in the future. We will refer the proposals and continue to work on them, just as is done with a regular report, and then the government will return with a proposal on how we should proceed with the issue.

(Applause)

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Isabell Mixter (V)

Madam Speaker! All students should complete school. It should be a self-evident matter. Unfortunately, that is not the case today, as approximately one-third of all students leave upper secondary school without complete grades or have dropped out along the way.

A successful schooling is a preventive factor when it comes to the risk of ending up in crime and social exclusion. The government has also said that. Given that crime and criminality are so incredibly important for the government to tackle, why is it not being invested in the school and ensuring that all these students actually get a successful schooling? What we see is that the government has actively chosen to let the municipalities receive less money while simultaneously lowering the tax for the very richest.

My question to the Minister is quite simply how one is to ensure that all students graduate from upper secondary school with complete grades.

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Gymnasie-, högskole- och forskningsministern Lotta Edholm (L)

Madam Speaker! I thank the member for a very important question.

I would say that a large part of the problems that young people in upper secondary school have is due to the fact that they do not have sufficient knowledge with them from primary school. 20–25 percent of young people leave primary school without being able to read well enough, and it is clear that this eventually causes problems in upper secondary school.

That is why this government is now investing very heavily in reading. We invest half a billion every year in real textbooks and fiction for schools. We are restructuring the entire grading system so that it better reflects the knowledge students have. We are also removing the Fb grade, which has ensured that very many students have not even reached the high school's national program.

I would, however, say that the most important thing is to strengthen the teaching profession so that teachers are given reasonable working conditions.

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Isabell Mixter (V)

Madam Speaker! It is very nice to hear that the Minister thinks it is important that we have teachers who can perform their work. However, there are no reforms in the world regarding giving a certain school fee for, for example, teaching materials, that will help if there is not enough staff in primary school to take care of the students so that they receive enough knowledge.

How will the government ensure that there are sufficient resources instead of giving the tax money to tax cuts for the richest?

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Gymnasie-, högskole- och forskningsministern Lotta Edholm (L)

Madam Speaker! Of course, resources in Swedish schools are incredibly important. That is why we are making large state investments in both primary school and upper secondary school. It is, however, important to remember that the funding of Swedish schools primarily lies with the municipalities. There, it differs very much, sometimes in an unreasonable way.

(Applause)

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Catarina Deremar (C)

Madam Speaker! I would like to ask a question to Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.

That we have a strong and independent public service is an important part of our democracy, not least in the turbulent times we find ourselves in. We agreed on many things in the public service inquiry, but we did not agree on the money. Now we see that what we knew would happen is also happening: More and more are leaving the terrestrial network, which means that the public service companies get increased costs for precisely the terrestrial network.

How does the Minister for Culture view this development? Is there preparedness to allocate more funds?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Catarina Deremar, for an important and good question!

I am very pleased that Catarina Deremar pointed out that we were actually in agreement on much of the work in the parliamentary commission. All parties were represented there, and for the most part, the parties agreed that public service needs long-term conditions and good prerequisites for its work.

We did not, however, agree on the funding allocation. From the government's and the Sverigedemokraternas side, we have agreed on a funding allocation that will give public service over 83 billion over eight years.

The issue of the marketing network is a question that we are monitoring particularly. That is why we have appointed a special investigation which shall, among other things, look at the distribution of public service. We intend to return to the issue.

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Catarina Deremar (C)

Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister for Culture for the answer.

The distribution investigation shall be completed by 30 September 2026. Already this year, Sveriges Radio will face increased costs due to the market network issue, and SVT will face it next year.

What preparations does the Minister and the Government have to ensure that the money actually goes to the journalistic content and not to distribution?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! It is important for me to point out that both the government and the Riksdag have chosen a construction for public service which implies that politics shall maintain an arm's length distance and not discuss the content or what the companies choose to spend their money on. We allocate funds and grant broadcasting licenses. After that, it is up to the companies to prioritize within the framework of this. There is, however, as Catarina Deremar knows, a possibility to agree on something else in cases of special need.

(Applause)

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Rebecka Le Moine (MP)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for the Environment.

The Minister for the Environment has himself signed the Kunming-Montreal Agreement, which is a framework for how we can jointly stop and reverse the loss of biodiversity. Several different measures are included there. It is about protecting more nature, restoring damaged ecosystems, protecting endangered species, and identifying and phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies.

When one looks at what has happened, one sees, at best, that nothing has happened. In many cases, this government and the Minister for the Environment have actively worked hard to do precisely the opposite. They have lowered the protection for endangered species. Right now, there is also a proposal from the forest inquiry to facilitate the termination of protected areas, that is, to remove the protection for protected areas.

How does the Minister for the Environment think this squares with the commitments she has made and what she has signed?

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Klimat- och miljöministern Romina Pourmokhtari (L)

Madam Speaker! I have not only signed the Kunming-Montreal framework, but I was also in Canada and negotiated the agreement. From my colleagues in the EU, I also received, together with Germany, the great trust to be responsible for the EU's part in a large part – one-fifth – of these negotiations.

This agreement is incredibly important for Europe, for Sweden, and for environmental issues globally. Of course, Sweden should be an example in also implementing the content of the agreement. The primary opportunity I see, which becomes a bit procedural for Sweden's part, concerns 30 percent protection of both sea and land. It is something that we see as a clear and important objective. It is also something that we have written into, for example, the marine environment bill and which we also work to implement in other ways. It is about broadening the protection generally to 30 percent but also about the 10 percent that are to be strictly protected. There we are working very actively, not least in the area of ocean policy.

I would say that a lot is happening in this area from Sweden's side and from the government's side.

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Rebecka Le Moine (MP)

Madam Speaker! What has been promised via the Minister for the Environment is to produce a national action plan for how to reach these goals. However, it is conspicuously absent, and there are no processes for how this is to be produced. There are also no means to achieve any of these goals. Identifying the environmentally harmful subsidies that exist, and which this budget continues to invest in, has also not been announced.

Where is the decisiveness that the Minister for the Environment speaks about?

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Klimat- och miljöministern Romina Pourmokhtari (L)

Madam Speaker! Let me take one of many examples of how the government is working with this.

Sweden shall expand and strengthen the protection of its marine areas. We are now actively working towards the international goal of 30 percent protection of marine areas by 2030. Of these, 10 percent shall be strictly protected. Last Friday, I also inaugurated the Baltic Sea's first national park. 97 percent of the national park consists of sea surface, or marine area.

So, a great deal is happening from the government's side regarding these issues.

(Applause)

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Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström (M)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Education, Higher Education and Research Lotta Edholm. I would also like to add that she is the Space Minister. Her title becomes very long, but she is also the Space Minister.

Space has fascinated both the great and the small in all times. There are many unanswered questions. Will we come to the moon more times? Will we come to Mars? How many stars are there?

A lot is happening with space, and that is actually what I am wondering about. I was just at an inauguration at OHB. It is a large space company in Kista that has moved to larger premises. They work with satellite research and satellite manufacturing. That activity is incredibly important. They also have weather satellites and knew that it would start pouring rain. Everyone therefore received their own umbrella when they arrived, which made things easier for everyone.

I, as a resident of Gothenburg, do not find my way very well in Stockholm – if I hadn't had satellite-guided GPS, I would have been lost the whole time. There are many advantages to this.

Therefore, I want to ask the Minister: What more utility and what more advantages are there with space research, the space industry, and business around space?

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Gymnasie-, högskole- och forskningsministern Lotta Edholm (L)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for a tremendously important question.

Exactly as Marie-Louise Hänel says, we have an enormous amount of practical use of the space research that has occurred and is occurring. It is about monitoring climate change – not just whether it rains today or tomorrow, but how it affects the earth as a whole. It is also important for transport systems to function, and unfortunately, I would say, space research also has an enormous significance in warfare and in the defense of our country and other European countries. For example, positioning data is enormously important.

In the future, we will likely see further breakthroughs in this area.

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Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister for Space for the answer.

We have had a space strategy since 2018, and we will soon decide on a renewed space act. How do the strategy and the space act facilitate things for Sweden, and why should the act be renewed?

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Gymnasie-, högskole- och forskningsministern Lotta Edholm (L)

Madam Speaker! Enormous changes have occurred since we received the current space law, so it needs to be renewed. We see more and more areas of application for space research, and it is also gaining ever greater strategic importance both for us ordinary inhabitants when it comes to climate research, weather and so on, and for Sweden as a nation.

I look forward to continuing to work on these issues.

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Peder Björk (S)

Madam Speaker! During the summer, the cash supply in Sweden collapsed. As an example, the town's only ATM in Hagfors was out of money for over a month. According to media reports, a total of a quarter of the country's ATMs have been out of order. The Riksbank has long warned of the vulnerability in precisely the cash chain. This creates both anxiety and insecurity, especially in rural areas, where there is often no alternative. For many elderly people, but also for others, cash is a necessity to manage everyday life, and when the ATMs do not work, the vulnerability of society becomes extra clear, both in everyday life and in a crisis.

My question is addressed to Minister Niklas Wykman. What long-term measures does the government intend to take to secure access to cash throughout the country so that people can feel secure about the future?

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Finansmarknadsministern Niklas Wykman (M)

Madam Speaker! Several different things can be observed. For the first, the Riksbank has, with the new Riksbank legislation, received a clarified and expanded responsibility and mandate in this area, just as the questioner refers to. It can also be observed that the question of cash, cash usage, and access to cash concerns more than just ATMs and the possibility of withdrawing money. Therefore, an investigation has recently been concluded and referred, which is now being prepared at the ministry regarding how we should secure cash availability throughout the country.

The current situation is due to the fact that Bankomat took back the distribution from a private company and intended to do it themselves but had some problems with it. I have therefore met with Bankomat and ensured myself regarding which measures they intend to take so that this problem shall be resolved.

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Peder Björk (S)

Madam Speaker! When food prices skyrocketed, the Finance Minister had coffee with the food giants. Now that there are problems with the ATMs, Minister Wykman is having coffee with Bankomat. When it came to food prices, nothing happened. My question therefore is: Why is the government taking no initiative in the cash issue? Is it going to be exactly like with the food prices, that nothing happens?

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Finansmarknadsministern Niklas Wykman (M)

Madam Speaker! When food prices skyrocketed, Mikael Damberg was Finance Minister. We inherited a very high inflation, and since then we have brought it under control thanks to a responsible economic policy, responsible parties in the labor market, and a central bank that performs its work.

This is a broad question, and we have recently received and referred an investigation on cash.

It is the Post and Telecom Authority that has the supervisory responsibility and can report to the Financial Supervisory Authority, and I am not aware of any report having been submitted regarding individuals' cash holdings.

(Applause)

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Tobias Andersson (SD)

Madam Speaker! Let me begin by emphasizing how far the Tidö parties have come in achieving the construction of new nuclear power in Sweden, not least thanks to the financing and risk-sharing proposal that Minister Wykman was responsible for before the summer. We can hope that the Social Democrats have finally, after having decommissioned six well-functioning reactors and voted no in the chamber to most nuclear power policy proposals, come to their senses and will support this risk-sharing when the budget reaches the chamber.

Vattenfall already has an ongoing project at Ringhals, and even though the Minister knows my opinion on the downselection, it is positive that the work is proceeding. Sweden, however, needs more large-scale nuclear power projects, and the risk is that the Ringhals project occupies resources and time for others. How do we ensure more projects from more actors, Minister Wykman?

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Finansmarknadsministern Niklas Wykman (M)

Madam Speaker! The question was so pleasant, so I am taking my place in the other speaking chair so that I can see the questioner properly.

There are two parts to ensuring the financing of new nuclear power in Sweden. One is the legal frameworks for the project, and here a government bill was submitted to the Riksdag. Unfortunately, not everyone voted in favor, and it seems that some believe we can live with very volatile electricity prices. However, there seems to have been a shift in the debate, and I note that Magdalena Andersson has said that the previous position was wrong and that one is open to supporting that we get new nuclear power in place, which is a very welcome and good announcement from Magdalena Andersson.

Certain frameworks are provided for how large this can become, and when we soon present the budget, we will return with the full-scale economic frameworks. The legal prerequisites are in place, and they are significantly larger than just the Ringhall project. But we will, as said, return with the economic frameworks in the budget.

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Tobias Andersson (SD)

Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister for the answer.

I believe that everyone on our side of politics views the progress in the most well-known project positively. I do, however, believe that there may be a concern that both authorities, industry, and other actors may notice bottlenecks when launching additional projects alongside the Ringhals project.

Does the Minister need further action to facilitate projects 2, 3, 4 and others?

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Finansmarknadsministern Niklas Wykman (M)

Madam Speaker! Building new nuclear power is very costly. It is a significant challenge one takes on when one is to do so. The support system we are to use for this is not extended to as much new nuclear power as one might want, but it is limited to a smaller number of reactors. I find it difficult to believe that one would obtain EU state aid approval for the many more projects the member mentions. The support is intended to get the construction of the first reactors started.

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Lotta Johnsson Fornarve (V)

Madam Speaker! I have a question of an overarching nature.

In recent days, we were reached by the news that Spain is introducing national sanctions against Israel in a number of areas. Should not Sweden follow the Spanish example and introduce national sanctions against Israel in order to put maximum pressure on Israel in order to stop the genocide and the famine in Gaza? We can no longer sit with our arms crossed and wait for the EU to act. We can take the lead and show the way, for example by introducing an arms embargo against Israel. We can act if the political will exists.

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Klimat- och miljöministern Romina Pourmokhtari (L)

Madam Speaker! I thank Lotta Johnsson Fornarve for raising these questions.

The suffering ongoing in Gaza is appalling. We must do everything we can, but we must also be able to see that different parties may have different views on what is most effective in this situation. Our government is determined: It is through the EU that we can exert proper influence. We believe that the EU must put harder economic pressure on Israel and its government to live up to its obligations in this situation.

We are pushing forward on many fronts. The Swedish government has, among other things, acted together with the Netherlands and taken an initiative where we urge the EU Commission to promptly present concrete proposals that increase the pressure on Israel.

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Lotta Johnsson Fornarve (V)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for the answer.

It is good that the government has finally listened to the opposition and is now moving forward with sanctions against Israel through the EU, but when the EU does not act, I mean that we must take the lead and show the way. We can do things ourselves to exert pressure, for example, stop the arms exports to Israel.

We cannot sit and watch while children are being killed and starving to death in Gaza. We can act here and now. We can do much more.

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Klimat- och miljöministern Romina Pourmokhtari (L)

Madam Speaker! The government has not listened to the opposition, but we make our assessment based on the reality we see. What we see today is that the EU needs to push by freezing the EU's customs benefits to Israel. That is where we can make progress, and that is where we push together with the Netherlands.

Regarding arms exports, I must point out that Sweden has a restrictive view on the export of war materiel to Israel. In practice, no permits have been granted since the 1950s, with the exception of follow-on deliveries of such materiel that were not considered war materiel when the deal was made. ISP, which is the competent authority in this regard, presents a different picture.

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Christofer Bergenblock (C)

Madam Speaker! A week ago, the investigator Lars Trägårdh presented the Tidö parties' large and so far only cultural project, in the form of a Swedish cultural canon. Particularly interesting was that the investigator meant that an important carrier of this cultural canon shall be the Swedish folk education movement in the form of study associations and folk high schools, that is to say, the same movement that the government has actively countered during its three years in power.

The government's cuts amount to a total of 900 million kronor during the mandate period, and study associations and folk high schools across the country testify to the effects that the cuts have for their operations.

My question to the Minister of Culture is therefore: How does the Minister think the fact that the government first undermines public education through these cuts is consistent with the fact that they then urge them to become carriers of the government's cultural canon?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! Let me begin by saying that this government has done more to handle the sour grapes that were lying and fermenting under previous governments than was done with their cultural policy.

We have taken up the issue of the Opera, which government after government has neglected to handle. We have come up with proposals on how we should handle the rents for cultural institutions – an issue that the Social Democrats and the Green Party have completely avoided. We have developed a cultural canon for Sweden, which shall increase the opportunities for community and a sense of belonging in our country. The question of who should be the bearers of it is a question for the citizens in Sweden, and in that regard, the committee has submitted a number of proposals addressed to civil society and popular education.

The opposition seems to want to paint a picture of the government strangling all resources for adult education. That is completely wrong. The government also continues to allocate over 4 billion kronor to adult education.

(Applause)

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Christofer Bergenblock (C)

Madam Speaker! It is very telling that the Minister for Culture highlights Stockholm's institutions. It is the Opera and the major cultural institutions in Stockholm that one chooses to spend money on.

The small-scale culture, which is managed by all our folk high schools and study associations across the country, is being scaled back. Only the study associations have received 500 million kronor in cuts, and the number of study circles and cultural events is decreasing. How does this square with the government's talk about investments?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! How student unions choose to prioritize when it comes to money for different activities is actually a matter for them.

When it comes to the government's priorities, we are crystal clear: The government prioritizes children's and young people's right to culture. We have Skapande skola, we have the support for the cultural schools, we have staffed school libraries, we invest in children's and young people's reading, and we give all people the same access to culture – the culture that many who have received it via the mother's milk have not shared previously.

(Applause)

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Jacob Risberg (MP)

Madam Speaker! In the spring, I asked the then Minister for Education about the possibility for upper secondary school students to meet politicians in their own schools. For many Swedes, it is the political engagement that is greatest when they are in upper secondary school and have classmates and teachers they can discuss politics with. I had just participated in a debate in an upper secondary school in Enköping, something that is impossible in many municipalities where principals or school managers have completely barred political parties from the schools.

My question then was how the Minister intended to act so that all upper secondary school students in all municipalities would be given the opportunity to meet and interact with politicians in an organized manner. The answer from the Minister was that she intended to take the issue to the department.

In a year, there is an election. My question to the Minister for Secondary Education is: How has it gone?

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Gymnasie-, högskole- och forskningsministern Lotta Edholm (L)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for this important question.

Just as I believe I said then, I think it is incredibly important that politicians, not least the political youth leagues, get to enter high schools and also primary schools. It is an important part of democracy in Sweden that this functions.

I am aware that it does not always work well, but there are sometimes reasons for school heads and principals to take a restrictive stance. However, it is important that this is not used as an excuse for not letting in youth organizations.

As I said, I have held a dialogue with the Ministry of Education regarding this, and I intend to review it to the extent that it is possible.

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Jacob Risberg (MP)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Minister, for the answer!

It is pleasing to hear that a dialogue has been held. It would be interesting to know what reasons there might be for potentially not letting politicians or political youth organizations into schools, as you mentioned. I find it very difficult to see what could prevent school students, especially upper secondary school students, from meeting political representatives in all the country's municipalities and upper secondary schools.

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TREDJE VICE TALMANNEN

I remind, in all humility, that we do not tolerate each other in the chamber.

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Gymnasie-, högskole- och forskningsministern Lotta Edholm (L)

Madam Speaker! There have been security reasons at a number of schools around Sweden for quite many years. Principals have considered themselves forced to shut down because the safety of students and employees could not be guaranteed. These are quite high requirements to arrive at such a decision, but it has unfortunately occurred.

(Applause)

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

Ludvig Ceimertz (M)

Madam Speaker! Fraud, especially telephone fraud against the elderly, is a particularly ruthless, systematic and shameless form of crime. It is not just about economic losses but also about a stigmatization that creates feelings of shame and guilt. It is therefore important that we take action against these frauds.

Last summer, for example, the legislation was tightened to take a stricter view on fraud. The government, together with banks and law enforcement agencies, has taken measures to tackle the frauds which have had a great effect – the crime profits have decreased by approximately 40 percent.

Last week, Finance Minister Niklas Wykman, together with the Minister for Justice, met with representatives from the banks and from law enforcement agencies to follow up on these measures and what else can be done moving forward to combat this type of crime.

My question is: What can we expect for continued measures to combat fraud against the elderly?

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

Finansmarknadsministern Niklas Wykman (M)

Madam Speaker! It is easy to agree with the questioner's description of this type of crime. It is completely loathsome and abominable. One may not only steal elderly people's last money but also their last sense of security. These are grotesque acts, which were allowed to continue in Sweden for a long time with passivity from the political side.

When this government took office, we changed that and quickly initiated a dialogue with authorities, primarily the police, but also with the banks. Just as the questioner points out, new legislation has been introduced that makes it possible to take a harder line against this type of activity. But very tough conversations have also been had with the banks: Take action, or expect problematic legislation to handle it! They have taken action; they have at least achieved some kind of minimum level. Then these crime profits have receded. But it obviously hurts to think about how many who have been affected during all the passivity we had under Magdalena Andersson.

(Applause)

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

Lawen Redar (S)

Madam Speaker! A week ago, I had a much-noticed debate with the Minister for Culture regarding culture, the previous culture policy, and three years of cultural policy cuts because the government has not chosen to cover the cost developments and inflation that have occurred in the sector. The debate went off track. We do not need to take that up now, but I would like to highlight the status of cultural policy specifically when it comes to budgeting.

The result of these three years is actually that art and culture workers in our country have become unemployed, that the fees for the culture school have been raised, and that we are closing down rehearsal rooms and meeting places in almost all municipalities in our country. We also have a situation where special study associations have difficulty conducting folk education activities, which the cultural canon investigator also expressed is completely necessary to exemplify and continue working with the cultural canon as a form of folk education in our country.

I want to ask the Minister for Culture whether it is truly a matter of importance for her to highlight culture's share of the reform space in the current budget negotiations with the Minister for Finance.

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

Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! It is two completely different worldviews that the Social Democrats and we in the government live in; it is quite obvious.

The Social Democrats seem to want to paint a picture that it is only the state that can save society and that the state is the only thing that steps in as a guarantor for society to function. That is not the case.

It also seems that the Social Democrats believe that the cost increase we were hit by, due to an inflation that the previous government, via the Social Democrats, let spiral out of control, only affected cultural workers. That is not the case either. This is something that has hit the entire society, and as much as Lawen Redar, I know that the state cannot step in and cover all the costs that have arisen in all of the state's cost areas. Then we would simply need to take a 100 percent tax from everyone in Sweden. But perhaps that is what the Social Democrats ultimately want.

(Applause)

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

Ann-Christine Frohm (SD)

Madam Speaker! Swedish for immigrants has long been problematic. Many students never complete their education.

The Sweden Democrats and the government have therefore, as part of the Tidö Agreement, decided on the referral to the Council for Legislation "Stricter requirements in SFI". This means, among other things, that the right to participate in SFI shall as a rule apply for three years from the point in time when the student was first admitted to the education.

Madam Speaker! For the Sweden Democrats, it is a self-evident matter to demand that people who come to Sweden also learn the Swedish language within a reasonable time and fully adapt to our Swedish society. What positive effects does Minister Edholm see that the tightened requirements for SFI will lead to for Swedish integration?

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

Gymnasie-, högskole- och forskningsministern Lotta Edholm (L)

Madam Speaker! The Government has today decided on a bill in exactly this area which primarily means that one shall attend SFI for three years. Then, an extension can be granted if required for a maximum of three additional years. The background to this is that very many of those who study at SFI never reach the different levels. For example, they drop out of the education.

The hope with the new legislation is that more people who come to Sweden and who need to learn Swedish will do so faster, but also that the municipalities shall ensure that they can provide the support required so that one can learn Swedish more easily. This is a large and important reform.

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

Andrea Andersson Tay (V)

Madam Speaker! In his government statement the other day, the Prime Minister announced that the government shall develop a national plan to prevent the forever chemicals PFAS from spreading in our waters and in our nature. This is something that the Left Party has already previously proposed, and I welcome that the government has also realized that it is needed.

This week, alarming information emerged that the sale of pesticides containing PFAS has increased by over 60 percent over the last five years. Many people will likely be shocked to learn that substances that never break down and which can affect their chances of having children are being sprayed directly onto our food.

Denmark has already decided on a ban on a number of pesticides that contain PFAS. My question to the Minister for Climate and Environment is: When will a ban come in Sweden?

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

Klimat- och miljöministern Romina Pourmokhtari (L)

Madam Speaker! This is a matter close to my heart for me. I truly burn for us to address the issues we have in Sweden but also in all of Europe with the spread of what we can call, in principle, poisons.

The forever chemicals are also incredibly problematic from the perspective that we actually do not have much information about the consequences of the chemicals that are now spreading in our nature, in our bodies, and in our society.

The problem here is that even if a national ban is introduced, it needs to be followed up with a national handling of all goods in a PFAS review, for which there is neither cost-wise nor time-wise room to realize. Even if one might think it is honorable that there are national bans and that it is an important signal – and as said, one thing I have mentioned earlier that the government does not exclude – the most important thing here is to address this issue at the EU level so that we actually ensure that these goods are not produced with PFAS chemicals in the way that occurs today.

(Applause)

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

Anna Lasses (C)

Madam Speaker! Once again, we have had a summer of heat, floods, and disasters. The weather is more unpredictable than ever, and it will get worse if the world does not hurry to reduce climate emissions.

In November, leaders from the world's countries will meet in Brazil and show how each can contribute to reducing climate emissions. At the same time, it is as if Sweden's government has stepped into the background and thinks it is time for others to act. But that is how you get no followers. A more effective way to influence others is to lead by example.

Will the government rise, take the lead and raise the ambition for the climate goals within the Swedish border, without counting in important contributions to other countries, or will you point at the others and say that "now the responsibility is yours"?

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

Klimat- och miljöministern Romina Pourmokhtari (L)

Madam Speaker! To lead by example is to have low emissions. Sweden has the lowest emissions per capita in the entire EU, and the EU is currently a world leader in reducing its emissions by adopting powerful legislation that is then enforced and through carbon pricing that motivates companies to move in the right direction. To be an example is to have low emissions, and Sweden is very good at having low emissions.

We sometimes face challenges, such as when previous red-green governments have become far too eager regarding how this is to be implemented. Goals have been set that were subsequently backed away from and which this government is forced to handle. I am, of course, speaking about the reduction obligation – the previous plan of 70 percent by the year 2030 – which no parties in the chamber any longer stand behind.

What does it mean to be an example today? Well, it is actually not just about shouting about high goals, Madam Speaker. It is about actually implementing climate policy and ensuring that one has low emissions. That is what we do in Sweden – not least through the nuclear power that the Centerpartiet opposes.

(Applause)

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

Camilla Hansén (MP)

Madam Speaker! I would like to congratulate Lotta Edholm on the new title of Minister for Secondary Schools, Higher Education and Research. It is a very important assignment for Swedish research, education and competitiveness.

It is however the case that Swedish students have the second lowest teaching time in Europe. The average is ten hours per week. Within the subject of pedagogy, it is as low as four hours per week. This is shown in a report from Sveriges förenade studentkårer.

So we cannot have that. It is completely unreasonable for a knowledge nation like Sweden. It definitely does not lay a foundation for more Swedish Nobel Prizes – which I know is something the Liberalerna would like to see in the future.

My question is whether Lotta Edholm is prepared to increase resources to the educational institutions so that Sweden's students get more time with skilled teachers and researchers. Is Lotta Edholm prepared to perhaps abolish the productivity deduction, as a step on the way towards more future Swedish Nobel Prizes?

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

Gymnasie-, högskole- och forskningsministern Lotta Edholm (L)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for this very important question. It is quite true that Swedish students sometimes receive too little teaching time. There are explanations for this.

The government has previously allocated more resources specifically for teaching so that the educational institutions can increase teacher-led instruction at our universities and colleges, but of course, I do not rule out that even more needs to be done.

For example, we will soon present a proposition on a new teacher education. Within that education, perhaps it is most important that one receives a substantial education at the university.

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

Kristina Axén Olin (M)

Madam Speaker! We Swedes love culture. I believe that almost one hundred percent listen to music daily. We watch films, and we follow TV series. The vast majority also read books – even though the number is unfortunately falling and more and more are switching to audiobooks.

Three-quarters of us Swedes also play board games or social games. We truly use culture in Sweden and like and appreciate culture.

I would therefore like to ask the Minister for Culture: Why do we actually need a cultural canon? What is the purpose of a cultural canon?

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

Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! It was an incredibly fine description by Kristina Axén Olin regarding how culture enters our lives in different ways.

It is however the case that culture also accounts for a large part of the values that once upon a time built a strong Sweden. Culture makes us the society we are today and the "we" that we create every day in our society.

I believe that more people need to be made part of that community. They must be made to feel that culture can be a place for them. They may be looking for what or which of the different cultural expressions can appeal to them specifically.

They ask themselves if they dare to enter those rooms and if there is a place for them in these discussions – and above all, if they are sufficient to actually enter the discussions.

I believe that a cultural canon can help us understand ourselves and each other in a better way. It can help us create an even stronger "we" in Swedish society. Above all, it can make more people dare to participate in cultural debates. They should be open to everyone, not just for those who received this with their mother's milk.

(Applause)

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

Linus Sköld (S)

Madam Speaker! I would like to take the opportunity to welcome Lotta Edholm as Minister for Higher Education with a question.

We find ourselves in a prolonged recession. Unemployment in our country is high and rising. In times of high unemployment and recession, it is rational both for the individual and for society if the number of people in education increases. Using the time in unemployment to strengthen one's position on the labor market is good behavior for both society and the individual.

It is precisely this that is happening. The demand for places in higher education is increasing. Thousands more have applied for higher education this year than last year. At the same time, the government's policy leads to that thousands fewer have been admitted to higher education.

I therefore thought to ask the minister whether, in her opinion, it is a desirable development in times of recession and rising unemployment that fewer and fewer people can pursue higher education.

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

Gymnasie-, högskole- och forskningsministern Lotta Edholm (L)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for a very important question. It is of course so that in times of unemployment, one must invest in education. Therefore, from the government's side, we are now making major investments in, for example, expanding the places at the university college.

We are also making investments in national vocational training. It is an adult education that takes place within the framework of the University of Applied Sciences, because we see that the University of Applied Sciences is so effective when it comes to providing education that actually leads to jobs for those who have studied there.

It is important that the education provided during, for example, periods of unemployment eventually leads to jobs. That is one of the ideas behind this.

I would like to say that the expansion of the university college is enormously important – just like the expansion of different types of education under the auspices of the Public Employment Service.

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

Martin Westmont (SD)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Education, Higher Education and Research, Lotta Edholm. The Minister is responsible for ensuring that education and the labor market match well.

Together with the government, the Sweden Democrats are working to strengthen Swedish school and education. What we see is that Sweden is often late in adapting when the labor market changes shape. We are all too often out of step with how the labor market looks.

This, Madam Speaker, is in many ways a legacy of eight years of Social Democratic passivity. A result of the Tidö agreement is that Sweden is now on the right track.

It is important for the Sweden Democrats to intensify the work to ensure that we do not end up in the same situation in the future – with a shortage of labor within different industries even though we actually have a large surplus of labor.

How is the Minister working to strengthen our educations in order to ensure that the future needs of the labor market are met?

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

Gymnasie-, högskole- och forskningsministern Lotta Edholm (L)

Madam Speaker! This touches upon the previous question. It is important that the education provided in Sweden, especially when it concerns vocational training, has a connection to what the industries actually demand.

That is why the vocational higher education has been expanded year after year – something that will continue in the future as well. We know that a very large proportion of those who attend vocational higher education eventually also get a job.

That is why we are also expanding the national vocational education within adult education, which is linked to exactly the university college (yrkeshögskolan). There is also a close dialogue with the various industries regarding what they need and want.

I believe it is a viable path to work more closely with the industries. This applies, of course, to both the private and public sectors.

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

Joanna Lewerentz (M)

Madam Speaker! Property rights are a cornerstone of Swedish forestry. However, years of state intervention have nibbled at the edges and risk destroying the balance between the forestry policy goals.

We Moderates believe that the care of our nature – not least through forestry – is crucial both to strengthen the countryside and to contribute to the green transition.

The work to safeguard biodiversity must, however, focus on results. Instead, for example, the knifegrass risks hitting hard against the cultivation without actually benefiting the diversity.

Now that the forest investigation has landed, I want to ask the Minister for Climate and Environment how the government will work to find a good balance and how the government wishes to improve the approach regarding the Species Protection Ordinance to enable a living forestry.

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

Klimat- och miljöministern Romina Pourmokhtari (L)

Madam Speaker! Many thanks to the member for a well-posed question.

We know that the Swedish forest is such an enormous part of many of the challenges we face. It is to account for a large amount of carbon dioxide, it is to provide all the paper products that are to replace fossil plastics, and at the same time, it is to be a large part of our industry and economy moving forward. At the same time, we have a fantastic right of ownership in Sweden which means that it is not necessarily the state that decides how different things and matters shall be handled within the area. Swedish forest owners are very capable of finding a good balance between environmental protection, taking care of their forest, and ensuring that it is productive.

Regarding a more purposeful national protection, we are working hard on this issue. In July, the government decided to send a memorandum with proposals for changes to the national protection regulations.

We are in full swing with the work, and it will continue every day during the mandate period.

(Applause)

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

Jytte Guteland (S)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Climate and Environment.

On 1 January 2027, in less than 16 months, the EU's new emissions trading system – what is called ETS 2 in political language – will open.

It is important for the climate to obtain a uniform system and reduce emissions. But it is expected to lead to the price of fossil fuels rising by several kronor per liter at once. For the general public and for companies, and thus for the whole society, it is important that there is information and the possibility to adapt to the new situation. It is required that, well in advance of 2027, there is also an increased awareness of what is coming. Until now, the public information and the preparation for ETS 2 has been almost non-existent.

What measures is the government preparing, in the form of for example assignments to Naturvårdsverket or Konsumentverket, in order to prepare society, companies and people in good time?

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

Klimat- och miljöministern Romina Pourmokhtari (L)

Madam Speaker! I thank the member for the question. Despite the complicated designation, which can also be ETS BRT, to make it even more complicated, this will be the largest climate policy event during 2027, namely that the system enters into force.

Emissions trading is an incredibly powerful tool for reducing emissions. What is so powerful about emissions trading compared to, for example, carbon taxes or other types of taxation is that emissions trading is flexible and more dynamic. If we in Sweden do what we are supposed to, prices do not increase as much. That is why this becomes such a strong motivation to electrify and streamline transport and much else that we will need to do in Sweden moving forward.

And with the government having presented the climate action plan, there is an early and broad implementation of ETS 2. It is something that the Chamber has approved, and therefore the processes are in full swing to prepare the state institutions to handle the system when it finally enters into force.

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

Charlotte Quensel (SD)

Madam Speaker! The Sweden Democrats' and the government's work to choke the criminal economy and reduce fraud and money laundering has already had a great effect, among other things by the fact that profits from telephone fraud, especially against the elderly, decreased by 40 percent during last year and continue to decrease this year. We also see that the new law, which means that the state can seize criminals' assets, is effective.

The banks also have a great responsibility in the work to counter fraud and money laundering. The Minister for Finance and the Minister for Justice recently met with Sweden's largest banks to get an overview of their work in the area. How does the Minister for Finance intend to continue working with the banks to choke off the criminals' finances and ensure that we reach the goals of the Tidö Agreement in this area?

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

Finansmarknadsministern Niklas Wykman (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank Charlotte Quensel for the question, and I also thank Ludvig Ceimertz for the corresponding question earlier.

It is pleasing that the fraud profits from telephone scams against the elderly have decreased. It shows that measures also yield results. It is unfortunate that measures were not taken by previous governments, but there was passivity in this area.

Fundamentally, we have shifted the focus. We have put the crime victim in focus instead of pitying those who commit that type of crime.

The banks have an important responsibility, but we must remember that it is those who commit the heinous crimes who have the ultimate responsibility. They should be squeezed, and they should go to prison. They should not have a smorgasbord laid out for them in Sweden.

I could mention many good things that are being done in the area. One such thing is that I, together with the Minister for Justice, have visited the work that involves building up financial intelligence in Sweden. It is something that previously has not existed, but now we have budgeted for such a center in Sweden.

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Niklas Sigvardsson (S)

Madam Speaker! Hundreds of thousands of students have just begun their studies at colleges and universities. In order for all of these to get a good start on their studies, and so that they have representatives who review, collaborate on, and develop the period of study with the students' perspective in focus, student unions and student associations are incredibly important.

Student unions all over the country are sitting around and worrying significantly because, according to the forecast, 20 million less in grants will be given to the student unions after the turn of the year. Minister Lotta Edholm will surely say that it is temporary money that will not be given continuously, but that only applies to 5 million of the 20 million reduction.

Therefore, I have the following question for Minister Edholm. How does the Minister believe that the student unions will be able to continue their substantial work for the students' benefit with these cuts?

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Gymnasie-, högskole- och forskningsministern Lotta Edholm (L)

Madam Speaker! Student influence is important for developing the activities of universities and colleges. Contributions can be made to how, for example, teaching can be developed. The student unions in Sweden have always played an important role. When the student union obligation was abolished, a state grant was also added.

Just as the member points out, the previous government provided specific funds, which was due to the fact that we lived through a pandemic. That type of funding cannot simply continue to exist after the pandemic has ended. That is the background.

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

Emma Ahlström Köster (M)

Madam Speaker! Culture engages us, shapes us and speaks in a way that nothing else can break through. That is why it is important that culture is given the conditions to exist and flourish, always at arm's length from politics but close to people as a self-evident and important part of our lives.

The Minister for Culture has on repeated occasions pointed out that a broadened financing of the cultural sector can make it stronger and accessible to more people. But I wonder in what way the government has worked to begin this important work.

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for the question.

It is undeniably so that I and the government believe that society is larger than the state. This has become clear when I have had the privilege of traveling around and meeting representatives of cultural institutions, small as well as large, who all testify that there is a great interest in being involved and sharing the joy of culture and being involved in co-financing it.

But Sweden stands out – and unfortunately not in a positive way. We are the worst in the class when it comes to enabling private individuals, foundations, and companies to contribute to culture. Therefore, this government has launched an inquiry into broadened funding, which will review tax incentives for giving. Furthermore, we are looking at increased sponsorship of culture, and we are looking at matching systems where the state and the private sector can join forces to make culture even stronger, freer, and more fun.

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Per-Arne Håkansson (S)

Madam Speaker! I address Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand.

In recent years, the closure of newspaper editorial offices in various parts of the country has resulted in parts of the country falling into a media shadow. Despite the new design of the media subsidy, where technology neutrality and the digital transition are emphasized, a number of newspapers, including Norra Halland, which I myself visited some time ago, and Haparandabladet, have been forced to move from multi-day to single-day publication per week. Some newspapers have also been closed down.

Now it turns out that more than 100 million of what the Riksdag has allocated for media support has not yet been used. It concerns numerous jobs – journalists as well as other staff at newspapers – and perhaps above all, people's participation in democracy.

We Social Democrats have pushed for a follow-up of the support. Is the Minister for Culture satisfied, or does she intend to act to strengthen a versatile news coverage and journalism throughout the country?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Member, for an important question! That we have functioning media, both public service and commercial media, throughout Sweden is a fundamental prerequisite for a functioning democracy.

That was why the government took on the task of restructuring the media support and creating an entirely new system for media support that would promote local and regional journalism, focusing on ensuring that there is well-functioning journalism and journalists throughout Sweden.

We see now that the need for such a review exists. It is also something that we intend to do. We also see a need to look more closely at media support in general, naturally. That is something one always needs to do with these types of large systems.

Overall, we can still note that the support, after having moved from being a rights-based support to being a means-tested system, functions quite well.

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Nima Gholam Ali Pour (SD)

Madam Speaker! More and more students in immigrant-heavy areas are leaving primary school without eligibility for upper secondary school. Those who do start upper secondary school often have insufficient language skills and weak prior knowledge, which leads to dropouts, substandard results, and a lower proportion who graduate. This risks transforming upper secondary school from a place for education and knowledge into a storage place for young people who lack the necessary prior knowledge to succeed in upper secondary school.

My question to the Minister for Education is the following: How does the Minister for Education intend to ensure that upper secondary schools are not forced to bear the primary responsibility for integration problems, and what measures does the government intend to take to raise the knowledge requirements and address the extensive school failure in areas with high concentrations of immigrants?

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Gymnasie-, högskole- och forskningsministern Lotta Edholm (L)

Madam Speaker! Just as the questioner suggests, much of the problems we have in upper secondary school are due to the fact that many young people in primary and lower secondary school have not received the knowledge required to manage upper secondary school. That is why the government is now restructuring school policy in a number of different areas.

We emphasize, for example, the need for literacy skills much earlier, as well as the need for better teaching in that. We are investing heavily in real textbooks, fiction, and staffed school libraries. But we are also making major changes in, for example, the grading system. So, a lot is happening now in terms of ensuring that young people become better prepared to manage high school when they eventually get there.

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Peter Hedberg (S)

Madam Speaker! I hope to be able to fly home to Kramfors in a few hours, but it has surely not escaped anyone's notice that both Kramfors and other towns in Ångermanland were hit by a very extensive downpour this past weekend. The storm has led to extensive damage to properties, on roads and on the railway. Tragically, one person has also lost their life. Unfortunately, even more precipitation is now expected in the affected areas.

I listened to a press conference with the Director General of the Transport Administration. He emphasized that this situation is extraordinary. Against this background, I would like to ask the Minister for Climate Action if the government is prepared to take measures and support the affected in Ångermanland and Västernorrland in various ways.

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Klimat- och miljöministern Romina Pourmokhtari (L)

Madam Speaker! For one minute, I will try as best as I can to explain the situation. We are following the developments closely, and Andreas Carlson has also visited the region to speak with those concerned and to form a better understanding of what may be required and if there is anything that is missing.

We can observe that many are involved in the work now. It is both rescue and restoration work that is ongoing.

There are contracts for the operation and maintenance of the road network. It is very important with the so-called base contracts, i.e., that Trafikverket gets its readiness to manage machines and personnel on site, so that we can rectify the whole thing as quickly as possible.

I also want to mention that Trafikverket is currently working on preparing for any upcoming challenges. There are warnings from SMHI that there will likely be more weather warnings during next week due to large amounts of rain.

The Ådalsbanan is also an ongoing project that we are closely monitoring to see what we can do and contribute.

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Robert Olesen (S)

Madam Speaker! My question is directed to the Minister for Education, Higher Education and Research, Lotta Edholm, and concerns the government's so-called initiative on regional vocational adult education in the autumn budget.

The supply of competence is one of our time's greatest challenges, and unemployment in our country is sky-high. The business sector is crying out for labor, and regional vocational adult education has been one of the most important tools we have to match the business sector's needs.

The government proposes 100 million for regional vocational adult education in the autumn budget. But the truth is actually that it is a reduction of roughly 900 million compared to this year. My question to the minister is therefore the following: How many fewer will be able to study at regional vocational adult education after that reduction?

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Gymnasie-, högskole- och forskningsministern Lotta Edholm (L)

Madam Speaker! The truth is that we are restructuring a part of adult education right now. We are focusing more on the university college but also on the national vocational education, which I have spoken about quite a bit. It is an education that takes place within the framework of the university college with a very close cooperation with the industries.

When it comes to regular vocational adult education, so to speak, it is unfortunately the case that a large part of the state grants are actually not used. I mean that we must now consider whether we can reorient it so that even this becomes more targeted towards what the industries actually need. We are considering, for example, whether we can give the municipalities a bit longer planning time within the framework of these state grants. There are a number of different things we could do to ensure that the state grants are actually used to their full extent, for that is not the case today.

Question time was hereby concluded.

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