For Finland to remain a “stable and sustainable” society, general government finances must be improved by at least €9 billion over the next two parliamentary terms, the Finance Ministry predicted in its structural and tax surveys published on Monday.
The ministry’s surveys cover the entire public sector, which includes central government, well-being services counties, local government and social security funds.
To improve the finances, the ministry’s list lays out about 40 measures, including lowering development funds, so they come closer to the OECD average and introducing university fees, which bring in savings worth €200-300 million.
In its proposals, the Ministry also encourages politicians to consider major cuts and impose higher fees in social and healthcare sectors.
Leaving no stone unturned, the list also mentions cutting environmental protection funds by €15-40 million and reducing investments in climate-friendly public transport by €30 million.
The tax survey, also published by the ministry Monday, focuses on measures that could increase tax revenue within the current framework – for example, raising reduced VAT rates, reforming dividend taxation and raising real estate taxation on land.
The measures are not intended to all be implemented as such, as the aim is to ”support public debate and political decision-making” with “ numerous alternatives”, the ministry said in its press release.
However, with less than a month to go before the parliamentary elections in April, parties will dissect everything the Finance Ministry says.
(Pekka Vänttinen | EURACTIV.com)
Source: euractiv.com
