– We have registered a significant increase in inquiries from families who are struggling financially now, says Kristiansand Mayor Jan Oddvar Skisland. Messages from desperate residents tick in on his phone. These days, the final touches are being put on next year’s state budget. There, Skisland expects to find good financial transfers to the municipalities. – I hope the government sees how important this is. It is part of the government project that we want to be a part of, in relation to reducing the inequalities in our society, says Skisland. – I have received quite a few inquiries. Both verbally, on messenger and by email, says Skisland. Photo: Hans Erik Weiby / news Announces “tight and fair” state budget On Wednesday and Thursday, the government is gathered for a budget conference at the Prime Minister’s office. The financial framework and priorities for the state budget are determined there. – We have two goals, the headline of which is safe financial management. It will be what we call a tight and fair budget, said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap). On Wednesday morning, he met the press together with Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (Sp) before the budget conference. – We cannot do as has been done in the past, just spend more oil money to solve challenges, on the contrary, we must spend less. At the same time, we have big expenses to pay and big tasks to do, said Støre. The budget conference started on Wednesday, where the financial framework and priorities for the state budget are to be determined. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB Fears child poverty will increase again Last year, for the first time in ten years, Kristiansand had a decrease in the number of children living in low-income families. Mayor Skisland now fears that the trend will reverse. – The way things are now, I’m afraid that will happen. But we do what we can to handle this, says Skisland. People who previously had control over their finances now report that they are unable to manage their everyday finances. – People say that for the first time in their lives they have to queue for food distribution, says the mayor. If the financial transfers to the municipalities are not good enough, Skisland fears that more people will fall below the poverty line. – It is important to us that the transfers to the municipalities are so good that we can maintain the services we have, and take care of the vulnerable groups in a good way, he says.
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– I hope the government sees how important this is – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
