Strong reactions after SVT's disclosure: "It is inappropriate"

- It's inappropriate. Companies are important for Sweden. Now the public is setting up and giving very big support, and then you should not at the same time leave large dividends to its owners, says Jakob Forssmed, the Christian Democrats' economic policy spokesperson.

- You cannot receive money from the state with one hand and give it to the shareholders with the other hand. So we can't have it, says the Left Party's economic policy spokesperson Ulla Andersson.

When the Finance Committee clubbed new money in crisis support, all parties agreed on a report stating that it is irresponsible that companies that receive state aid at the same time distribute money to their shareholders.

But SVT's review of the largest stock exchange companies in Sweden shows that both SKF and Assa Abloy distributed billion amounts to their shareholders, while also expecting layoff support.

According to the CEO, SKF has received advance notice that support of 40 million will be granted.

The Growth Agency, which grants the grants, tells SVT that it is the law that applies, and the law does not state about dividend payments. There it is only mentioned that a company that receives support must be in financial crisis.

- The support should apply to companies that have financial problems, and you can't say that you have if you make a dividend if you distribute money you are not in financial crisis. says Ulla Andersson (V).

Now the Finance Committee has called the Director General of the Growth Agency to hear what she has to say.

Karolina Skog (MP) believes that the report committee clubbed, can be used in court against the companies. 

- The report is a preliminary work that can be relied on in court in an appeal, I think that all companies that choose to seek support and at the same time remember to pay dividends should remember.

Several members think, just as Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson said yesterday, that the law may need to be amended to avoid support from the wrong companies.

- It should have been in the law. If the committee's report is not enough, I am open to change the law, says Jakob Forssmed (KD).