The government in Stockholm wants to reduce net migration beyond what is already the lowest level in 50 years. Reuters
The government in Stockholm wants to reduce net migration beyond what is already the lowest level in 50 years. Reuters
The government in Stockholm wants to reduce net migration beyond what is already the lowest level in 50 years. Reuters
The government in Stockholm wants to reduce net migration beyond what is already the lowest level in 50 years. Reuters

Foreign-born Swedes could be offered money to emigrate


Tim Stickings
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Foreigners who become Swedish nationals could be offered money to leave the country, in a push to cut net migration.

A voluntary exit scheme currently offers 10,000 Swedish crowns ($960) plus travel costs for refugees to leave the country.

An inquiry has recommended the proposal should be widened to include naturalised Swedish citizens and families of migrants.

However, it rejected the idea of increasing the grant in case it sends a signal to immigrants that “they are not welcome in Sweden”.

The proposal comes after figures showed more people left Sweden than arrived last year, the first net loss for more than 50 years.

Net migration was negative for people born in Iraq, Syria and Somalia.

A “development towards sustainable immigration is necessary to strengthen integration and reduce social exclusion,” said Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.

“The number of asylum applications is looking to be historically low, asylum-related residence permits continue to decrease and Sweden has net emigration for the first time in 50 years.”

A wave of gangland violence in Stockholm and other cities has raised questions about migration and integration in Sweden. Reuters
A wave of gangland violence in Stockholm and other cities has raised questions about migration and integration in Sweden. Reuters

Sweden's migration and integration policies have been scrutinised after gang violence in several cities.

In May, a counter-intelligence service accused Iran of recruiting Swedish criminal gangs, known as Foxtrot and Rumba, to do their bidding.

Police figures show there were at least 348 shootings in Sweden last year. At least 52 people were killed and the number of explosions rose from 90 to 149.

The country also struggled last year to calm community tensions after a spate of Quran-burning incidents soured its relations with the Muslim world.

Ministers in Stockholm, who depend on the far-right Sweden Democrats, sought advice on how emigration could be “greatly stimulated”.

The inquiry was asked to consider whether a more generous grant worth about $14,800 in Denmark could be offered in Sweden.

In its report, it warned there would be a hit to public finances and that a higher sum could have “negative consequences for societal integration”.

Wrong signal

A larger grant “sends a signal to the grant’s target group that they are not welcome in Sweden – even to the extent that Sweden is willing to pay large amounts to get rid of some of them”.

“Such a signal could hardly not have a negative impact on the target group’s willingness – and outlook on their opportunities – to become an integrated part of Swedish society.

“This could have consequences such as lower labour market participation and more crime among the immigrant groups that the grant targeted.”

Ministers have instead been encouraged to widen the scope of those eligible for the grant, to include Swedish citizens.

The grant should no longer be means-tested and people should remain eligible even if they acquire a Swedish passport, the report said.

It said grants should not be given to people who move within the EU or to another country with close migration ties to the nation.

However, the inquiry “admits to having failed” to find a policy that could “considerably increase” voluntary migration from Sweden.

“This failure is due to the apparent lack of any experiences or indications of appropriate methods,” it said.

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Starring: Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome

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One in nine do not have enough to eat

Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.

One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.

The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.

Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.

It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.

On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.

Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.

 

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Infiniti QX80 specs

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The specs
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  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

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Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

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In the role: Since January 2015

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Background: M&A, investment banking

Studied: Corporate finance

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