Wed, 09 Apr, 2014 12:09:51 AM Parliament discusses spending limits FTimes-STT Report, April 9  Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen participated in discussion on the spending limit cut in Parliament on Tuesday. Photo – Lehtikuva. Discussions on spending limit began in parliament on Tuesday amid demand from opposition Suomen Kskusta (centre party) for withdrawing child benefit cuts.
Lawmakers from the ruling parties however criticised the Keskusta leader for not providing any alternative measure before raising the demand.
Juha Sipilä, leader of Keskusta, said in parliament that the plan for child benefit cuts was a gross mistake by the government.
The government during recent talks on fiscal plans decided to cut child benefit by €110m as part of the austerity measures aimed at tackling the raging economic crisis.
Juha Sipilä and Mauri Pekkarinen of Center party in the parliament on Tuesday. Photo – Lehtikuva. The centre party chief suggested that the government should instead drop its decision to raise the age limit of compulsory education and quota for home care support.
Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen criticised Sipilä’s presentation as generalised.
Finance Minister Jutta Urpilainen said that budget framework needed concrete proposals and decisions.
According to Outi Alanko-Kahiluoto, head of ruling Vihreä Liito (Green League)’s parliamentary group, said the government should be able to open up where necessary.
Minister of Finance Jutta Urpilainen in parliament on Tuesday. Photo – Lehtikuva. The Greens want to make sure that the austerity plans do not hit hard those who are weak.
The opposition parties have different views on tax increases and the timing of the spending cuts.
Lawmaker from main opposition Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) Kaj Turunen was amazed at the government’s decision to make adjustment decisions going against expert advices.
Left Alliance Kari Uotila (left), Paavo Arhinmäki and Annika Lapintie in parliament on Tuesday. Photo – Lehtikuva. Vasemmistoliitto (Left Allaince), which quit the government following disagreements in the spending limit talks, also criticised the government. The leftist party proposed hikes in dividend and solidarity taxes and corporate taxes for companies instead of child benefit cuts.
The Left Alliance considers it decisive that the government has ended up making decision based on more cuts than tax increases. That, according to Kari Uotila of the Left Alliance, has led to the cuts of basic allowances and child benefits.
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