Regional leaders in Finland are expressing grave concern over the government's recent proposal to reduce funding to welfare areas by 390 million euros over a three-year period from 2027 to 2029. They argue that such cuts are unreasonable and threaten the long-term organization and stability of essential services, particularly those related to social, health, and emergency services. The leaders stress that continuous tightening of overall funding will not provide a credible foundation for service organization.

The welfare area leaders assert that funding reductions should only occur as a direct result of changes in their responsibilities, as stipulated by the financing law. They point out that the existing law already includes numerous elements that hinder the growth of funding, adding pressure to already strained service provisions. This raises significant concerns about the adequacy of state resources to meet their responsibilities, particularly in light of the critical nature of social and health services.

The leaders emphasize that social, health, and emergency services are fundamental to communities. They warn that when funding is cut, it creates an imbalance between responsibilities and the resources provided by the state, undermining the ability to secure adequate services for the population. The collective voice of these leaders highlights an urgent need for the government to reconsider its funding strategy, ensuring that there is a balance between service delivery responsibilities and available resources.