Social Democrats promise extra child payments before holidays

Sweden’s Social Democrats are promising two additional child and study grants each year, SVT reports. The payments would be made in December before the Christmas holidays and in June before the summer holidays.

For a family with two children, the proposal would mean an additional 5,000 kronor per year.

Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson and the party’s economic policy spokesperson, Mikael Damberg, announced the pledge at a press conference ahead of Andersson’s summer speech in Stockholm.

The child allowance is currently 1,250 kronor. The party says the doubled allowance should be introduced permanently.

Andersson and Damberg said recent years have been difficult for families with children because of sharply rising food prices, higher rents and more expensive mortgages.