The turbulent world situation and high inflation characterize the government's spring budget, which was presented today.

In total, the budget contains measures for SEK 31.4 billion, together with the extra amending budgets that the Riksdag has decided on and the Riksdag's committee initiative on support for Ukraine, the measures amount to SEK 35.4 billion.

- Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to higher prices, great uncertainty and lower trade.

This means that global GDP growth is expected to be lower and we expect slightly lower growth in Sweden at the same time as inflation will be higher, says Minister of Finance Mikael Damberg at a press conference where the budget is presented.

Strengthens society's resilience

One of the news when the budget was presented was a reinforcement of SEK 800 million for the civil defense.

- This is how we strengthen society's resilience in the event of a crisis and war for the future, but also here and now, says Damberg.

Among other things, the money will be spent on strengthening the civil defense of the municipalities and regions, but will also go to protecting the population.

The government proposes that SEK 91 million be spent on refurbishing shelters and wants to invest SEK 25 million in SOS Alarm so that they can handle an increased inflow of alarm calls.

In addition to this, the security police will be strengthened with SEK 20 million, which will go to the authority's operational work and preparedness.

In addition to costs for civil defense, the government wants to invest half a billion in increasing the number of care places.

Minister of the Interior Mikael Damberg says that the pandemic has shown the vulnerability of healthcare and that reinforcements must now be made.

Increased number of care places

According to Damberg, the money will go to employing more nurses, improving the working environment in health care and increasing the number of care places, including places in intensive care.

- An increased capacity in the ongoing work strengthens resilience in both crisis and peace, says the Minister of Finance.

The government also wants to raise SEK 1.2 billion to enable a fourth dose of covid-19 vaccine.

In addition to this, there are costs of SEK 5.8 billion to handle increased costs for high sick pay costs.

One of the more debated issues in the budget concerns the guarantee supplement, where around half a million pensioners will receive SEK 1,000 more a month, which will start to be paid out in August.

The supplement is based on the government's agreement with the Left Party and the Green Party, but the opposition is critical of how the supplement for pensioners has been designed.

See a piece of Tuesday's press conference with Mikael Damberg in the clip above.