Latest news with #TonjeBrenna
Reuters
7 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Norway plans $49 million annual tax cut for some young workers
OSLO, May 27 (Reuters) - Norway plans to randomly select 100,000 people born between 1990 and 2005 to receive annual tax cuts of up to $2,700 for several years, aiming to measure the effect on income and employment, the Labour Party government said on Tuesday. Facing rising social security payments and a shortage of workers in many sectors, successive Norwegian governments have explored ways to boost labour market participation by tweaking rules on state financial support and improving job training. But Tuesday's proposal by Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Labour Minister Tonje Brenna takes this a step further, offering tax cuts for about 8% of workers between 20 and 35 years of age, while the rest see no change. If approved by parliament, the group of 100,000 people would become part of an academic study and receive the tax cuts of up to 27,500 Norwegian crowns annually for the next three to five years. They will be compared with those who do not receive the same cuts. "This will give us strong data on whether such a tax deduction really boosts youth employment, and on how much more or less those who are already in a job will work," the finance ministry said in a statement. The measure was estimated to cost some 500 million Norwegian crowns ($49 million) per year, the finance ministry said. Norway has a $1.8 trillion sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, and spends tens of billions of dollars from the fund each year. ($1 = 10.1461 Norwegian crowns)
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Norwegian foreign minister and minister of labour and social inclusion arrive in Kyiv on visit
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and Tonje Brenna, Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion, have arrived in Kyiv on a visit. Source: Norwegian tabloid newspaper VG, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Norwegian ministers arrived in Kyiv on the morning of 26 March, VG reported. "We've come to Kyiv at a critical time for Ukraine. The war is unfolding at an intense pace and both sides are preparing their positions for negotiations that could lead to peace talks," said Barth Eide. He stressed the need to start planning for the post-war period now. "Norwegian support must be long-term and I believe it's important to consider how we will continue to assist Ukraine afterwards. I hope that one day, our support will go beyond large amounts of ammunition," the foreign minister said. This is Brenna's first visit to Ukraine, during which she plans to discuss preparations for the eventual return of Ukrainians with temporary protection in Norway. "For me, it's about understanding the needs. We want the 90,000 Ukrainians in Norway to be best prepared to return to their country, which will one day be rebuilt," she noted. "We want those currently studying to complete their education. Ukrainian youth in Norway should use this time to develop skills that align with Ukraine's future needs. I will discuss with the Ukrainian government what will be required to ensure a functional society after years of war," the minister explained. Background: Last week, on 20 March, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Norway following a nearly two-day stay in Helsinki. In mid-March, the Nordic defence ministers met with their Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umierov, in Helsinki. In early March, Norway agreed to increase aid to Ukraine to almost US$8 billion this year. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Local Norway
13-03-2025
- Business
- Local Norway
Norway increases funding for programmes that help immigrants into work
Norway's government will allocate 46.3 million kroner in funding to voluntary organisations across the country, an increase of 8.1 million kroner compared to 2024, it wrote in an announcement on Thursday. 'Learning Norwegian, getting a job and becoming part of a local community is necessary for good integration. Volunteering plays a crucial role in achieving this. That is why we are strengthening our efforts,' jobs minister Tonje Brenna said in the announcement. The funding will be spread across 98 organisations to fund their efforts to improve integration and the number of foreign residents entering the workforce. Caritas Norway will receive money for its Jobbfokus courses, which help foreigners with finding a job. The course includes tips on writing a CV and cover letter for Norwegian employers, interview training and advice on how to build a network in Norway. The Norwegian Women's Public Health Association will receive money for its Språkvenn initiative. The initiative, based in Oslo, acts as a free meeting place where Norwegian language learners can practice their conversational skills, learn grammar and work on their pronunciation. Money would also be allocated for the Norwegian People's Aid Folkevenn project, where volunteers help refugees and foreigners integrate. The Norwegian Red Cross would also receive 2.5 million kroner towards its free language training schemes. The Norwegian Red Cross offers meeting places where foreigners can brush up on their language skills in a number of Norway's big cities. The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) would also receive money for its language training schemes which allow foreigners to practice Norwegian while out on hikes. A full list of the organisations to receive the funding, and what for, is available under the 2025 section of The Directorate of Integration and Diversity's webpage on grant recipients.
