Swedish govt says to raise education spending by SEK3.4b in 2015

[Stockholm] Sweden's new centre-left government said on Wednesday will propose increased spending on education totaling 3.4 billion crowns (US$468 million) next year and 5.6 billion in 2016 in its budget bill due later this month.

The Social Democrats and the Green Party formed a minority government after last month's election and are currently negotiating a budget with the opposition Left Party. "The Swedish school system is in a serious condition. Results are falling, the attractiveness of the teaching profession is low and inequality is increasing," Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told a news conference.

Mr Lofven added that the Left Party had agreed to support the proposition. The government is due to present its budget bill on Oct 23.

- REUTERS