Finland Times

The Finland parliament approved  a total of Euro 54.5 billion for the state budget for the fiscal 2013 including the amount of 50.9 million euro that was added during the parliamentary handling of the budget, said a press released issued by the parliament on December 21.

The budget, showed  a deficit of 7.5 billion euros will be covered by further borrowing, and as a result central government debt at the end of 2013 is estimated to reach about 92 billion euros.

The budget proposal was handled in an exceptionally uncertain economic situation, with the economy facing great challenges because of the debt crisis, weaker business prospects and the ageing of the population, among other things. The budget proposal follows the lines in the Government Programme and the spending limits decision, which give priority to reducing poverty, inequality and social exclusion, consolidating public finances and enhancing sustainable economic growth, employment and competitiveness.

The Transport and Communications  sector got the highest  hike of the allocation  in this year budget with additional fund of 10 million euros for the development of the road network. Parliament also called for the Government to report to the Finance Committee next spring on ensuring funding for the development programme included in the transport policy report.

Parliament added 3.4 million euros for promoting child welfare. It also called for the state funding needed for a new children's hospital in Helsinki to be taken into consideration in the next spending limits decision covering the period 2014-2017.

Funds for rehabilitating war invalids and veterans were increased by 9 million euros. In this way Parliament wished to honour veterans in connection with the 95th anniversary of Finland's independence.

Parliament earmarked 5.4 billion euros in the main class of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy for the internationalization of businesses, promoting tourism and increasing financial and debt counselling.

Other significant increases were made in spending on apprenticeship training (2 million euros) and kindergarten teacher training (1.7 million euros), military refresher courses (1 million euros) and reducing court backlogs (1 million euros)