Per Bolund

Several measures taken to support Swedish jobs and businesses through the crisis will be extended. These include short-term lay-offs, deferral of tax payments, reorientation support and turnover-based support to sole traders. The proposals are based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

On September 24 the Government decided to extend until the end of the year the government credit guarantee programme aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises that have experienced financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme was launched in the spring as part of the Government’s measures to support the business sector during the ongoing pandemic and builds on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party. As a result of this decision, the option for businesses to take part in the credit guarantee programme applies to loans granted until 31 December 2020.

Global warming continues regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic. Climate change will remain the defining issue of our generation. The Government is therefore proposing investments of SEK 9.7 billion in green recovery initiatives in the Budget Bill for 2021. The Government’s proposals are based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

On 30 June, SAS presented a plan for the recapitalisation of the company and a plan to accelerate its climate action, including the halving of emissions by 2030. The Government has the Riksdag’s mandate to participate in the recapitalisation on behalf of the Swedish State during 2020 to an amount not exceeding SEK 5 billion. The Government supports the plan that has now been put forward and the measures necessary for its realisation.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

The Government is now presenting additional measures to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak. The proposals are based on an agreement between the Swedish Social Democratic Party, the Centre Party, the Liberal Party and the Green Party.

On 20 March, the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party presented further measures to mitigate the impact of the virus outbreak on Swedish jobs and businesses.

The Government is now presenting additional measures to mitigate the financial impact of the virus outbreak. The proposals are based on an agreement between the Swedish Social Democratic Party, the Centre Party, the Liberal Party and the Green Party.

Due to the coronavirus, a proposal for an additional amending budget is being presented today. The proposal is based on an agreement between the Swedish Social Democratic Party, the Centre Party, the Liberal Party and the Green Party.

On Holocaust Remembrance Day January 27 several representatives from the Swedish Government participated in memorial services to honour the victims of the Holocaust and to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.