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Our taxes should go to the welfare sector

6 comments

The government Alliance has introduced tax reductions for services in Swedish households; for instance cleaning services and home renovations, in a move to facilitate lives of families where both parents work. The Social Democrats have opposed this. Why should we have these tax reductions — or why should we not have them?

Services in Swedish households are important, especially for the elderly and families with small children.

However, we don’t think that it should be financed by a tax reduction. It provides very few jobs. The result of the conservative government’s politics is that today we have 25,000 fewer jobs within our welfare sector. We believe that our taxes, instead of this tax reduction, should be invested there – in the welfare sector we all share. Today, we all pay for the tax reduction but it is mainly used by people with high incomes.

Jytte Guteland (SSU)

September 6, 2010

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  • Pol – Croatia

    I think last year Croatia has abandoned similar tax reductions or return payments. The obstacle is also that you had first to pay full price and then wait about a year to get you money back. You also have to be carefull not to lost your bills or ask a special (R-1) form. These could be complicated and you might not even be properly informed about it, so it is likely you miss that opportunity.

    Considering home renovation, but even the installment of green technologies in your house (like solar heating or solar cells, or putting more isolation on walls and windows) the fact is that you wan’t be able to use this tax reductions if you don’t have sufficient money of your own. So i agree with you on that.

    The other problem in that area is that if govermnet makes tax reductions, the companies could simply decide to put higher prices and swallow most or at least some tax benefit meant for the citizens. And this home repairment in Croatia is also incredibile high. On one occasion we had a gas heating servicing need at home and we had to pay 350 kn (about 50 Euro) for just 1 hour of one man work, while in a normal company an employee has to work almost 2 days for that money. At the end we didn’t even got a receipt.

    The fact is that good servicing is though to find as well to pay and most of this job are done by less qualified, very often immigrant workers, very often operating in grey zone. What (local) goverment should do is to introduce it’s own servicing company with affordable prices and skilled personnel (!). If market competition or system is not functioning properly the goverment(s) should take matters in their hands, not only adjusting taxes. …

  • Cecile Pham

    Kate you are so adorable. I love your reactions to things. WHICH by the way are thoroughly entertaining and AWESOME!

    • http://www.transatlanticsketches.com Kate

      Haha tack! Don’t you feel sad about how much exciting weather you’re missing by being in San Diego instead of Skåne??

  • Monica-USA

    I love the new Snowdrops they are so lovely this time of year. My Tulips, Hycynth and primeroses are blooming as well.

  • http://www.transatlanticsketches.com Kate

    Yes! Actually, I’ve been in both. Not enough to comment on the weather, though. :) Hope you’re at least seeing some flowers by now.