In May, Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (Sp) concluded that an average family with children aged between 7 and 17 would have an extra NOK 14,700 in 2022. When the state budget for 2023 was presented last week, it was a little different view that was presented. At the same time as the government proposes to cut taxes among people earning up to NOK 750,000, the price increase is high. The aim of the new budget is to moderate prices. – When you see the figures that are on the table, will this family be in the red or in the red when 2022 is over? – This family, or most families, will be slightly in the red this year, answered Vedum. Wrong estimate The calculation was based on figures from Statistics Norway, Noregs Bank and the Ministry of Finance. – The estimates made this spring have turned out to be incorrect. Even then it was pointed out that Vedum had omitted a number of expenses. Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum says that the forecasts the calculation from May is based on turned out to be wrong. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB In June, Norges Bank came and said that the calculation had to be shelved: The prices were going to be much higher than they first assumed. Now the government wants to dampen activity in the Norwegian economy. – If we do not manage to get price inflation under control, the next thing to come will be increasing unemployment, says Vedum. Frp: Decreases credibility The leader of the Progressive Party (Frp), Sylvi Listhaug, believes that the finance minister’s failed forecast will reduce his credibility. – It is clear that it is not credible to claim that there will be an increase in purchasing power this year, when there has been a withdrawal of purchasing power that we have not seen for several decades, says Listhaug to news. FRP leader Sylvi Listhaug believes Vedum loses credibility when his forecasts turn out to be wrong. Photo: William Jobling / news She says that the FRP has gone in and looked at tax relief for those who, for example, earn between NOK 400,000 and 450,000. – That amounts to three kroner a day. You get a plastic bag for that at Rema. She believes that the reality is that the money they collect on tax relief will only go to electricity, food and petrol. Høgre: Most people will pay more tax Høgre manager Erna Solberg says most people will pay more tax under the government’s new state budget when you add up tax increases and the tax that the companies they work for must pay. – It has an impact on people who work there, because it is clear that companies that get less profit have less opportunity to give, for example, better wages, says Solberg. Solberg believes that there are two things that will bring down prices in Norway, and that is less public spending, not just oil money, and demand for labour. – People with low and medium incomes must pay less tax, but we must not pretend that it will not be a tough year for everyone.
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