Ministry of Finance

The Government has adopted a framework that will enable an issue of sovereign green bonds. This will be the first time sovereign green bonds have been issued in Sweden. The Swedish framework has been awarded the highest possible environmental grade by the independent reviewer.

Swedish National Debt Office is instructed by the Government to issue green bonds in 2020 at the latest. The framework differentiates between green bonds and other bonds, and will demonstrate how the proceeds from the bonds are linked to the green expenditures in the central government budget. The framework was presented 5 June 2020.

The Stability and Growth Pact is a set of rules for coordinating fiscal policy between EU Member States. The purpose of these rules is to ensure sound public finances. Every April, Member States are to submit stability and convergence programmes. Sweden and other Member States that have not adopted the euro submit convergence programmes, whereas Member States that have adopted the euro submit stability programmes. The programmes are used by the Commission and the Council in their assessment of Member States’ fiscal policies and situations.

As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party are today presenting new measures. A boost for care of the elderly is being implemented that means that employees in care of the elderly will be offered paid education and training during working hours. This will lead to more permanent positions.

Several of the economic measures presented by the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party to mitigate the impact of the virus outbreak will be reinforced, including reimbursement for the first day of sickness and central government responsibility for businesses’ sick pay costs. In addition, the ceiling for unemployment benefits will be raised from day 101.

The Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party today presented an additional measure to mitigate the impact of the virus outbreak on Swedish jobs and businesses. The measure involves reorientation support totalling SEK 39 billion.

The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority is to work to ensure that the financial system contributes to sustainable development. Climate change is central to this work as it has a major global impact and clear connections to financial stability.

After the European Commission approved the Government’s state aid notification on Wednesday, the Government could today adopt an ordinance on a discount for fixed rental costs in vulnerable sectors as a way to mitigate the financial consequences of the virus outbreak. The new aid is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious threat to people’s lives and health. Serious economic consequences will follow in its wake. In five additional amending budgets, the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party have presented proposals for active measures to limit the spread of the virus and mitigate the economic effects on society. Today, the Government presents the 2020 Spring Fiscal Policy Bill and the Spring Amending Budget for 2020 with additional measures. All of these measures total over SEK 100 billion.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious threat to people’s lives and health. Serious economic consequences will follow in its wake. In five additional amending budgets, the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party have presented proposals for active measures to limit the spread of the virus and mitigate the economic effects on society. Today, the Government presents the 2020 Spring Fiscal Policy Bill and the Spring Amending Budget for 2020 with additional measures. All of these measures total over SEK 100 billion.

The Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party are now presenting further measures to alleviate the impact of the virus outbreak on jobs and the economy in Sweden. The ongoing pandemic is having a major impact on the Swedish economy. The focus of the crisis packages already presented has been to get measures in place quickly. Today sees the presentation of improvements to the system for short-term layoffs so that it will be even more impactful.

The Government is proposing temporary exemptions to allow field hospitals and temporary buildings to be constructed if the spread of a disease that poses a threat to society means that health and medical care facilities are insufficient to meet the need for care. A proposal entitled ‘Exemptions from the Planning and Building Act in the event of the spread of a disease that poses a threat to society’ was referred to the Council on Legislation.

Many municipalities and regions have been hit hard financially by the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. The Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party therefore intend to propose additional funding totalling SEK 22 billion in the spring amending budget for 2020, which will be presented on 15 April. This additional funding will be provided both as increased general government grants and an increased amount to cover additional health care and social services costs.

Minister for Finance Magdalena Andersson presents the new forecast from the Ministry of Finance today.

The Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party are now presenting further measures to alleviate the impact of the virus outbreak on jobs and the economy in Sweden.

The Government has proposed a temporary discount for fixed rental costs in vulnerable sectors to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak. The proposal is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

On Wednesday 25 March, a proposal was presented for loan guarantees to companies adversely affected by the COVID-19 virus outbreak. The aim is to make it easier for primarily small and medium-sized enterprises to access financing.