In several articles, SVT has examined how large companies that expect state crisis support and short-term permits staff simultaneously pay billions in dividends to shareholders.
- If it turns out that you have great opportunities to make large stock dividends, we must review the law. I have no hesitation in doing so, Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson (S) said after the review.
Subsequently, Tillväxtverket announced that they would stop supporting companies that make dividends and the government pushed through a proposal for a new legislative text. It makes it clearer that companies that make dividends should not be able to receive support.
"Rather creates problems"But the proposed amendment is criticized at several points by the Law Council. Former Justice Council Eskil Nord, who is part of the Law Council, tells SVT that individual members do not comment on the Council's opinions but refer to the written opinion, which states, inter alia:
"In summary, the Law Council considers that the Bill does not add anything to the applicable law, but rather creates problems in the application."
The opinion states that the Law Council considers that it is already possible to take stock dividends into consideration when making the assessment of whether a company should receive support. In short, the Council considers it clear that a company is not in need of support if they can afford to distribute money. If anything, clarification may be needed.