Loimu: Fortunately, no further cuts to education; racism must be addressed
4 Sep 2025
Additional savings of EUR 25 million in government operating expenses are also of particular concern.
On Tuesday, 2 September, the Finnish government decided on new adjustments worth one billion euros for 2027. Minister of Finance Riikka Purra had previously proposed significant cuts to education and research. Fortunately, the proposed cuts were not implemented. Instead, savings have been sought elsewhere.
“The government made the right choice by not making any further cuts to education and science. At the same time, we do need to keep in mind that previous decisions have already reduced the basic funding of higher education institutions,” says Aaro Riitakorpi, Public Affairs Manager at Loimu.
Although the research, development and innovation funds, among others, agreed on by the parliament were largely spared from cuts, the cuts still leave a lot to be desired.
“We are particularly concerned about the additional savings of EUR 25 million in the operating expenses of the government through the new agency structure survey. In recent years, considerable savings have already been made with regard to the state administration. People have been laid off, and even the implementation of statutory duties is at stake. The plan is for the new Finnish Supervisory Agency to start operations on 1 January 2026, and the additional savings worth millions of euros will make it even more difficult for the new organisation to start its work,” says Riitakorpi.
The budget session was overshadowed by the government’s latest racism scandal following comments made by the Vice-President of the Finns Party Teemu Keskisarja on Yle’s A-studio.
“Decision-makers and, in particular, party leaders have a major responsibility when it comes to promoting equality in our society through words and actions. Racism should not be tolerated in any form, and these types of speeches only work to make Finland a more unsafe place for many to live. Racist speeches should not be downplayed or normalised; intervention is needed,” says Riitakorpi.
Further information
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Aaro Riitakorpi
Public affairs manager, chief negotiator