The elderly lose again

- Elderly care is worse off with the government's new budget proposal. “I fear for the situation in the coming year”, says the Progress Party Spokesperson on Finance, MP Ulf Leirstein.

- It is a huge paradox that the government will earmark money for child welfare, but not for the elderly. I am pleased that the Government will focus on children, but it is very disappointing that the elderly do not receive the same attention, "says Leirstein.

He believes that the government's budget is influenced by the improved economic situation in Norway, and he believes that this has saved them from major cuts in the budget.

- There are no significant measures in the budget, and few surprises. The biggest news is the weak commitment for caring for the elderly. I am disappointed that there will only be 2,000 new nursing homes next year, while the original ambition was 2500 nursing homes.

- To improve the situation we need to mark subsidy for the nursing homes and have a large increase in the investment. The government budget means that local authorities are still reluctant to build nursing homes because of the high cost.

- I am also disappointed that the government provides for a number of indirect taxes which affect the everyday life of people. Higher taxes on for instance alcohol and tobacco are only likely to annoy people. The biggest effect this will have on people is that Norwegians will travel more to Sweden for trade, "says Leirstein.

He also believes the police will have a tough year because of small budgets. - The police is already tired by the low operating budgets. The budget from the government will not improve this situation and I fear more police stations will be closed down in the coming year, which has already happened in Trondheim”, concludes Leirstein.