Eastern Uusimaa politicians face tough cuts as region fights to avoid merger

Three senior politicians from Eastern Uusimaa’s wellbeing services county have described the strain of implementing €42 million in savings to avoid state intervention, as the region awaits a decision on whether it can remain independent.

The county, which includes seven municipalities, was placed under a Ministry of Finance review last June alongside Central Finland and Lapland due to a €100 million deficit. A decision on whether the regions can continue operating independently will be made after June, Yle Uusimaa reports.

The politicians—Kaj Lindqvist (Swedish People’s Party), Heikki Vestman (National Coalition Party), and Jenna Perokorpi (Social Democrats)—met with Yle in Askola, where local services have been under pressure. While Askola’s social and healthcare station was spared in the latest cuts, smaller municipalities have seen services consolidated into regional hubs.

“It hurts, but we had no choice”
Lindqvist, chair of the county’s executive board, said the closure of round-the-clock elderly care facilities was particularly difficult. “Of course the cuts were painful. We received petitions from residents, but we had to look at the bigger picture,” he said. He admitted that last autumn, he was unsure whether the savings plan would pass—but it did, with broad support.

The county’s financial troubles stem partly from municipalities underreporting social and healthcare costs in 2022, leaving a €25 million gap when the county launched in 2023. “What frustrates me most is that we started with an unfair disadvantage,” Lindqvist said.

Vestman, the county council chair, emphasised that protecting the most vulnerable—such as child welfare services—was a priority. “We made tough decisions, but we managed to shield essential services,” he said.

Further cuts may be needed
The politicians warned that additional savings could be required after May Day, when the Ministry of Finance announces state funding levels for 2025–2029. “The idea of more cuts on top of what we’ve already decided is grim. It would be extremely difficult,” Lindqvist said.

Key changes include:
– Closing health stations in Myrskylä, Pukkila, and Lapinjärvi in June, replaced by a mobile healthcare unit from autumn.
– Outsourcing food and cleaning services from 11 May.
– Shutting elderly care centres in Askola and Sipoo by year-end.
– Ongoing staff reductions, with up to 50 jobs at risk in consultations ending 7 May.

Perokorpi noted that while disagreements over cuts existed, most proposals passed smoothly. “We had to act—our independence was at stake,” she said.