“To find a long-term solution and stable conditions for personal assistance in the future, we will introduce, for the coming year, an indexation of the flat-rate amount.”
This was stated by The Liberals' disability policy spokesperson Malin Danielsson at a press conference together with the ministers Jakob Forssmed (KD) and Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (The Moderate Party) on September 18, 2024.
”It's a breach of promise”
In a presentation image from the Government Offices, it appeared that an indexation of the amount "will be introduced" in order to create greater predictability for municipalities, private providers, and assistance recipients.
But when the government's budget was presented in its entirety on Monday, there was no indexation included. Instead, it states:
“The government intends to increase the flat-rate amount by 1.5 percent compared to 2025. The flat-rate amount for assistance allowance will thus be 347.70 kronor, an increase of 5 kronor and 10 öre.”
This is a major breach of promise, says Henrik Petrén from the employer organization Fremia, whose members are providers of personal assistance.
He relied on the government's words when they held their press conference a year ago.
I've been called by desperate members who say we won't be able to handle this.
The wage increases in society are 3.4 percent this year and 3 percent next year. It will now become more difficult to recruit personal assistants with the right competence, since the wages are not sufficient, according to Petrén.
”Have not promised that”
Outside the Riksdag, users and their relatives had also gathered on Monday with placards to demonstrate against the decision. One person accused Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (The Moderate Party) of having betrayed the assistance users.
I think she (Malin Danielsson) spoke for what The Liberals want to drive. It's not like we four parties have promised that, says Svantesson.
The Liberals' economic policy spokesperson Cecilia Rönn says now that it is The Liberals' intention to introduce an indexation.
Don't you think it's a breach of promise?
The increase is made according to a certain model, and we must agree on that. I really think it's a priority that it should be introduced, says Rönn.
