Implementation of the Riksdag decisions on the central government budget for 2022

Decision on central government expenditure framework for 2022

On 24 November 2021, the Riksdag took the first decision on the central government budget for 2022, called the ‘framework decision’. This decision covered expenditure limits for the expenditure areas, revenue calculations and legislation in the area of taxes and fees.

In the Riksdag’s framework decision, adjustments jointly proposed by the Moderate Party, the Sweden Democrats and the Christian Democrats were adopted, which entail amendments to the Government’s proposed budget. These amendments are described in the Riksdag Committee on Finance’s report on the framework decision.

Riksdag Committee on Finance Report 2021/22:FiU1 (in Swedish)

Decision on allocation of funds within the framework

The Riksdag has now also decided on how the funds in each expenditure area are to be allocated. The decisions on the allocation of appropriations entail amendments to the Government’s proposed budget.

The Government issues appropriation directions based on the Riksdag’s decisions. The appropriation directions distribute the funds allocated by the Riksdag among different activities and government agencies.

Contents of the budget

Expenditure in the central government budget amounts to SEK 1 136.7 billion in 2022, which is SEK 1.1 billon lower than in the Government’s proposed Budget Bill, while the income in the central government budget is approximately SEK 1.5 billion lower than in the Government’s proposal.

Most of the central government budget is based on the proposal the Government submitted to the Riksdag on 20 September 2021. This includes measures to speed up the climate transition; getting more people in work through more training and work experience positions, and an initiative on expanded matching services; strengthening the welfare system by raising the income ceiling for sickness benefit and enhancing insurance coverage for on-demand employees; increasing security by providing additional funding to the Swedish Police Authority, the Swedish Prison and Probation Service and Swedish Customs, and measures to stop benefit fraud.

Furthermore, the budget adopted by the Riksdag means that the basic deduction for people over the age of 65 and the earned income tax credit for low and middle income earners will be raised, that tax deductions for gifts will be increased, and that the regulations on temporary employment and commissions undertaken at other locations will be simplified. The Riksdag has also notified the Government that it is to present legislative proposals on reducing the energy tax on petrol and diesel so that the price at the pumps is reduced by 50 öre per litre from 1 May 2022. The appropriation for several government agencies in the judicial system, including the Swedish Police Authority and the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, will be increased.

The Committee on Finance’s proposed expenditure limits for 2022 (excel)