In the wake of the recently-concluded contract negotiations between VR and SA, the government has announced a series of measures aimed at supporting low- and middle-income households.
At a press conference at 14:30 today, Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, alongside Minister of Finance Bjarni Benediktsson and Minister of Infrastructure Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, announced the new policies, which aim to support the buying-power of households, while keeping inflation rates down.
Improved Child Benefits
The child benefit system is to be simplified, while also increasing support for the system, allowing more to qualify for child benefits.
The improved child benefits will represent a total increase of ISK 5 billion from the current system over the next two years. Additionally, the system is to be streamlined to reduce the waiting time for child benefits, which are not to exceed four months after the birth of a child.
Changes in Housing
The government also plans to increase the housing supply by incentivizing the development of new real estate throughout the nation.
Increased access to social housing will also be a priority, with some ISK 4 billion to be allotted in 2023 to the expansion of affordable housing in Iceland.
Housing benefits for tenants will also be increased.
Additional reforms include improved pensions for the elderly and disabled, increased funding for workplace training, and reforms to pension funds.
Bundled along these concessions to Iceland’s cost-of-living crisis will also be a large increase to police funding.
