– We need to understand what the politicians are talking about – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country

“Seed grain schemes”. “Risk relief”. “Pipeline for green projects”. “Risk loan scheme”. These are some of the words the authorities themselves use to describe money that is taken from the state budget and given to companies that want to build battery factories. This is actually called subsidies. The government’s financial support for battery factories was the topic of the Debate this evening. The words the authorities themselves use when they have to talk about subsidies, instrument, instrument, actor, purpose-driven assignment, qualification system, qualification framework, pressure, seed and seed schemes, risk relief, innovation-promoting measures, competence, measures, restructuring means, sustainable value creation, innovation, height, innovation chain, pipeline for green projects, knowledge, externality, project classification, referral logic, pilot/demo instruments, cross-sectoral cooperation investment support cluster development R&D grant facilitation funds capacity building internationalization support environmental technology support capital access The authorities have used the words above when talking about subsidies. They are taken from, among other things, reports and websites of the authorities. Author: Comic, but also serious Linguist and author Helene Uri is critical of the authorities’ use of words such as “sowing scheme” and “pipeline for green projects”. – Yes, this is comical. But it is actually serious too, says Uri to news. She believes it is very important to have clear and comprehensible language when the state gives away the community’s money. – The politicians, they are elected by us. They manage our money. Then we have to understand what they are talking about. Linguist Helene Uri says it is important for democracy that people understand the words politicians use. The Minister of State on “subsidy words”: – Sometimes they go off the rails Minister of Business Cecilie Myrseth (Ap) says the government “still has a way to go” when it comes to using clearer language, also in business policy. – I completely agree that there are a lot of words. “Sometimes they have a bit of a ball,” says Myrseth. When asked by news about what “risk relief” is, she replies that “it’s about the state helping to relieve risk”. – Does that mean loans? – It can mean several things. That’s why it’s a bit complicated. There are several different arrangements that the various instruments manage, says Myrseth. – You can give some support directly. Loans can be granted on market terms. You can give some support in a start-up phase, because you have to reach certain goals that society needs. What does “risk relief” mean? news asks Industry Minister Cecilie Myrseth (Ap). Handing out billions to battery factories So far, there has not been a single kroner to be made from batteries made in Norway. At the same time, the government is handing out billions to battery factories. The hope is that the companies will be able to make money from this in the future, and that a new battery industry can be developed. The government believes it is right to provide subsidies to facilitate environmentally friendly industry in a “green industry boost”. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has previously called it a “community responsibility to facilitate the green shift”. Linguist Helene Uri believes that the words used must be clear anyway. – When politicians talk in such a way that we do not understand them, it is serious. Published 31.10.2024, at 21.01 Updated 31.10.2024, at 23.24



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