More money in your wallet,
Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT

More money in your wallet, but not for everyone

Lower fuel taxes and a new electricity subsidy will be felt in households' budgets. But the measures in the spring budget will not reach everyone, says Stefan Westerberg, private economist at Länsförsäkringar. The typical two-child family is at the center, he says.

The government's spring budget includes investments of SEK 7.7 billion. These include, among other things, the temporary reduction in fuel tax that will come into effect on May 1.

In addition, an increased electricity subsidy, as compensation for the high electricity prices at the beginning of the year, has been promised and is intended to begin being paid in June.

Stefan Westerberg says that the investments come at a timely moment given the uncertain global situation.

This gives some relief to households who may be a little extra worried about how the war in Iran will affect their wallets.

Uneven distribution

However, how much more a household gets in its wallet through the government's spring bill varies.

For a family with children who live in a villa and drive a car, this could be around SEK 1,900, according to Länsförsäkringar's calculations. However, if you live in an apartment and don't drive a car, it won't be as noticeable.

If you have high electricity costs and drive a lot, you are probably one of the clear winners in the government's budget.

This hits both right and wrong in that households with very good finances, who may not need this money, also get to take advantage of it, says Westerberg.

Losers

Last fall, new rules for the unemployment insurance fund came into effect, meaning, among other things, that compensation after 100 days of unemployment will be reduced to 70 percent.

With unemployment at over eight percent, according to February figures from Statistics Sweden, Westerberg believes that the government could have invested more in the labour market.

– We have very high unemployment and those affected will receive lower compensation under the new unemployment insurance rules. They will be the really big losers, but that is because no money is being invested in them, says Stefan Westerberg.

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
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