Minister Ranne: Government strengthens police and Border Guard activities in budget negotiations
“Next year’s budget proposal shows that the Government has the will to strengthen security. In Finland, help is available in times of need,” says Lulu Ranne, Minister of Transport, Communications and the Interior.
In its budget session, the Government decided to propose a total of EUR 2.2 billion for the administrative sector of the Ministry of the Interior in the 2025 budget. Next year, the administrative sector’s appropriation will decrease by EUR 372 million compared to this year. However, the savings are in accordance with the Government decision not to reduce the number of police and border guards working in operational tasks, that is, in the field.
“The increase in the number of police officers in accordance with the Government Programme will not be compromised – the amount will be increased to 8,000 police work-years by the end of the government term. The current security situation requires strong field operations,” says Minister Ranne.
The decrease in the level of appropriations for the administration of internal affairs in the budget proposal was affected by, among other things, the elimination of one-off increases, a reduction in migration expenses and savings decisions. However, in the public administration savings outlined by the Government in the spring, the savings contributions of the police, the Border Guard and the Security Intelligence Service were kept moderate.
Minister Ranne emphasises that, overall, the level of appropriations for agencies in the administrative branch has increased by approximately EUR 342 million compared to the actual budget for 2020. Since 2020, police appropriations have been increased by approximately EUR 202 million and the Security Intelligence Service by approximately EUR 16 million.
In recent years, the most significant additions for the police have been targeted at securing the level of operations and increasing the number of police officers.
The increase in the Security Intelligence Service’s operating expenses has been most affected by the increase in the costs of the new premises. Since 2023, the Security Intelligence Service has also received additional personnel for counterintelligence and prevention of foreign influence operations.
Saving on migration
Approximately EUR 329 million is proposed for administration of migration for next year, which is approximately EUR 196 million less than this year. Operating expenses savings of approximately EUR 9.3 million are to be allocated to the Finnish Immigration Service and the central government reception centres. The number of immigrants covered by reception services is estimated to decrease, and the reception allowance will be reduced in accordance with the Government Programme. On this basis, it is proposed to reduce the appropriations for migration by a total of approximately EUR 182.5 million.
Street gangs and rise in youth crime to be addressed
Compared to the budget framework, the Government is adding EUR 19 million for the administration of internal affairs, of which EUR 11 million will be allocated to the police and earmarked for curbing youth and gang crime and the shadow economy. An additional EUR 6 million will be allocated to the Border Guard for the necessary material purchases to control the eastern border. An increase of EUR 1 million is being allocated for material purchases necessitated by the increase in the number of rescue trainees at the Emergency Services Academy and the Helsinki Rescue School.
“EUR 5 million will be added for the police to curb gang and youth crime. This is an addition to the EUR 5 million permanent increase previously granted for preventing and curbing youth crime. In this way, the police will have EUR 10 million available in 2025 to address the worrying increase in youth and gang crime. In addition, EUR 2 million will be allocated for school police activities. These investments will make it possible to address and prevent youth violence, as well as protect Finnish children and young people,” says Minister Lulu Ranne.
The Government will submit the 2025 budget to Parliament on 23 September. Parliament will decide on the budget in December.
Additional information:
Kati Korpi, Director of Finance and Planning, tel. +358 295 488 513, [email protected]
Antti Karila, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 488 288, [email protected]