NordenBladet — On 16 December 2021, the President of the Republic approved a bill for an act on managing the programmes under the Home Affairs Funds and on implementing a grant scheme. The act will enter into force on 22 December 2021.The act lays down provisions on the grounds for the national scheme of grants awarded from the resources of the European Union Home Affairs Funds and provisions necessary for the management of the programmes under the Funds during the programming period 2021–2027.The act also lays down transitional provisions concerning the programming period 2014–2020. The act simplifies the management of the Funds, for example by enabling more extensive use of simplified forms of grants, such as lump sums. The aim is to reduce the administrative burden for beneficiaries and the managing authority for the Funds and to pay more attention to the results of operations supported by the Funds.The programmes are managed by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Finance is responsible for auditing their activities.Three Funds have been established in the field of home affairs for the programming period 2021–2027: the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the Internal Security Fund (ISF), and, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI). The purpose of the Funds is, among other things, to promote the management of migration matters, prevent phenomena that undermine security and support the security of the EU’s external borders.
NordenBladet — The reception act will be amended so that the Finnish Immigration Service will have central responsibility for preparedness planning concerning the organisation of reception services in the event of a mass influx of migrants. The President of the Republic approved the bill for the act on Thursday 16 December. The act will enter into force on 1 January 2022.The amendment will improve preparedness for large numbers of migrants and clarify the division of duties between the authorities. The overall responsibility for preparedness planning and measures will be transferred to the Finnish Immigration Service, which has the lead in operational responsibility in the event of a mass influx of migrants. It also has the highest level of expertise in organising reception services.The Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) have previously maintained regional cooperation groups, whose members include not only authorities but also municipalities, organisations and parishes. However, dividing preparedness planning between several actors has been considered difficult. As a result of the amendment, the responsibility for regional cooperation will be transferred to the Finnish Immigration Service.In addition, the provision in the reception act concerning the municipalities’ obligation to establish reception and registration centres will be removed, as the municipalities enjoy wide-ranging autonomy under the Constitution.Other legislative amendments supporting preparedness also under preparationA project launched by the Ministry of the Interior in 2020 is also preparing other legislative amendments to support preparedness for a mass influx of migrants. The intention is to submit the related proposals to Parliament during the spring session 2022.The Act on the Treatment of Detained Aliens and on Detention Units would be amended in such a way that, in the event of a mass influx of migrants, persons who are not in a public-service employment relationship could also be temporarily employed for guidance and supervision tasks in detention units. Provisions on enlisting support from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) would be added to the Aliens Act. The act on migration authorities’ processing of personal data would be amended to allow the Finnish Immigration Service to disclose essential information to the support team members.In November 2021, the Ministry of the Interior also launched a project to assess legislation to help prepare for hybrid influencing that exploits migration. The project assesses the means of the current legislation that can be used to prepare for and respond to such hybrid influencing, as well as possible needs to amend the legislation in the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior. The project runs until 21 January 2022.Few asylum applications submitted this yearA mass influx of migrants is a situation in which reception centres for asylum seekers, including additional accommodation, are reaching maximum capacity and the capacity needs to be further expanded, as there is a constant influx of new migrants. Such a situation may arise gradually or abruptly, because of the massive displacement of people from a country towards Finland, for example.At the moment, there is no expectation of a similar situation in the near future as that which occurred in 2015, and the effects of Belarus’ actions, for example, have not been felt at Finland’s external borders. Since 2018, the number of asylum seekers arriving in Finland has been smaller than before 2015. The number of new asylum applications submitted this year remains low and has not returned to the pre-pandemic level.The fluctuations in migration volumes along different routes are closely monitored. Finland maintains an up-to-date picture of the situation both nationally and as part of the European Union.
NordenBladet — New acts will improve safety and security at football matches and other sports events. On Thursday 16 December, the President of the Republic approved the relevant bill on the Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events and the bill to amend the Assembly Act. Provisions on the entry into force of the acts will be laid down by government decree in early 2022.The aim of the Council of Europe Convention is to create a safe and secure environment and a positive atmosphere at football matches and other sports events. “According to the Convention, measures aimed at safeguarding the health and wellbeing of the participants, ensuring the smooth running of the event and creating a welcoming atmosphere must all be taken into account in organising the events. This can be achieved, among other things, by updating the provisions on the security measures of events and on public order and security,” says Jouko Huhtamäki, Ministerial Adviser from the Ministry of the Interior.The previous Convention dates back to 1985. The new Convention aims to improve the safety of spectators by taking into account the experience gained since the entry into force of the previous Convention and good practices concerning the organisation and safety of sports events. The various stakeholders taking part in the events will also be involved more extensively in order to achieve this objective. In addition, the Assembly Act was amended to ensure that certain provisions in the Convention concerning safety and emergency planning are taken into account in connection with the events referred to in the Convention.
NordenBladet — Police licence and permit fees are due to change in 2022. The price of a passport will fall, while most prices of other licences and permits will rise. The prices of identity cards will remain unchanged. The changes reflect the cost-correlation of licences and permits. The fees charged for licences and permits must correspond by law to the costs incurred in issuing these documents.Unlike in previous years, the cost-correlation calculations for 2022 have been made by permit group. This change reflects recommendations of the National Audit Office and of an internal audit of the National Police Board and the Ministry of the Interior suggesting that the cost-correlation of licences and permits should be determined by group.The cost-correlation calculation indicates that while revenues from travel documents (such as passports) exceed operating costs, the opposite is true of other licences and permits. The pricing criteria for licences and permits remain unchanged from previous years.COVID-19 pandemic affects willingness to travel and the number of passport applicationsThe COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 has affected people’s willingness to travel, and accordingly the number of applications for passports and identity cards. Passport prices were increased last year due to low demand during the pandemic.The number of passport applications is nevertheless expected to rise next year. The price of a traditional over-the-counter passport application will fall from EUR 58 to EUR 50 next year due to an anticipated increase in the number of applications and lower fees for digital passport certificates. The difference between this price and the fee for an online passport application will remain unchanged, meaning that the price of an online passport application will be EUR 44. The price of passports for veterans of Finnish wars will remain unchanged.No change is proposed in the prices of identity cards. The prices of identity cards were already revised in August 2021.Price increases for firearm permits, security sector permits and fundraising permitsThe prices of firearm permits issued by the local police and armaments industry permits issued by the National Police Board will increase, because the revenues raised from issuing these permits do not currently cover the costs of processing applications. For example, the price of a gun licence issued by the local police will increase from EUR 90 to EUR 105. The price of an armaments industry business permit will increase from EUR 375 to EUR 400.The prices of permits for the private security sector will also increase. These increases will include a rise in the price of approval as a security guard from EUR 48 to EUR 55. The price of a security sector business licence will increase from EUR 375 to EUR 400.Increases will also occur in the prices of lottery permits, and prices related to fundraising campaigns, public events and other individual permits and notices. For example, the price of a small-scale money collection notification related to a fundraising campaign will increase from EUR 55 to EUR 63, and the price of an annual money collection notification will rise from EUR 100 to EUR 120.
NordenBladet — On 16 December 2021, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) issued criticality and low power test permits to Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power unit (OL3), which means that the company can for the first time start a nuclear reaction in the new reactor.On 16 December 2021, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) issued criticality and low power test permits to Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power unit (OL3), which means that the company can for the first time start a nuclear reaction in the new reactor. STUK will monitor the starting and low power tests of the reactor on site at Olkiluoto. TVO will gradually increase the power of the reactor. TVO will need separate permits from STUK to increase the power output to more than 5%, 30% and 60% of the reactor’s total output.During the low power tests, the plant unit will not yet be synchronised with the national power grid. According to TVO, the unit will be connected to the national grid for the first time in January 2022. After that, preparations will be made for regular commercial production at full capacity, which is estimated to start in June 2022.“We are now close to a moment when OL3 will begin to produce large amounts of emissions-free domestic electricity which is sorely needed by our electrifying society. When it operates at full capacity, the plant can produce approximately 13 terawatt hours of electricity per year. This will significantly increase Finland’s self-sufficiency in electricity. OL3 will increase the annual domestic electricity production to nearly 80 terawatt hours, which means that self-sufficiency will rise to more than 90%,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.Safety throughout the plant’s life cycle must be at the heart of operations “The most important thing with nuclear power is to ensure the safety of the power plant. Safety has not been compromised at any stage during the construction process and commissioning of OL3. As licence holder of the plant, TVO is responsible for its safety, while STUK is in charge of the supervision,” Lintilä adds.Olkiluoto 3 is the first nuclear power plant in the world to have a fully designed and operational waste management system ready at the commissioning stage. The spent fuel of the unit will be placed in Posiva’s final disposal facility in Olkiluoto bedrock, which is the first of its kind in the world. On 7 March 2019, the Finnish Government granted an operating licence under section 20 of the Nuclear Energy Act to OL3 nuclear power plant unit. The licence will remain in effect until 31 December 2038. STUK granted the facility a fuel loading permit on 26 March 2021. The planned operating life of OL3 is at least 60 years. However, the unit’s technical life may be considerably longer.OL3 will be the biggest power plant unit in the Nordic and Baltic electricity markets. When it operates at full capacity, the plant can produce electricity at a capacity of 1,600 megawatts. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Finland by millions of tonnes, while the share of emissions-free electricity production will increase in Finland to more than 90%.
NordenBladet — The Ministry of Defence has authorised the Defence Forces to procure life cycle support services from Combitech, Insta Group Oy and Patria Aviation Oy. The Defence Forces was also authorised to procure jet fuel and related services from Neste Markkinointi Oy. The procurement’s total value is about EUR 180 million with a domestic employment effect of 635 person-years.The support and maintenance contract between Combitech and the Defence Forces covers life cycle support services for military aircraft and systems, naval defence systems, intelligence, surveillance and C2 systems, as well as training and information security systems. The main part of deliveries will take place in 2022. The procurement’s total value, without value added tax, is about EUR 7.9 million with a domestic employment effect of 35 person-years.The procurement from Patria Aviation Oy is in line with the strategic partnership agreement between Patria and the Defence Forces, covering support systems for military aviation, naval defence, and intelligence, surveillance and C2 systems. The procurement’s total value, without value added tax, is about EUR 122.35 million with a domestic employment effect of 550 person-years. The main part of deliveries will take place in 2022-2025.The strategic partnership agreement with Insta Group Oy covers life cycle support services for the aircraft and systems in military aviation, naval defence systems, intelligence, surveillance, C2 and target acquisition systems, and training and information security systems. The procurement’s total value, without value added tax, is about EUR 17.6 million with a domestic employment effect of about 50 person-years. Deliveries are scheduled for 2022-2025.The procurement contract with Neste Markkinointi Oy is based on a partnership agreement between the company and the Defence Forces under which Neste Markkinointi Oy provides the Defence Forces with jet fuel and services related to its distribution and storage. The overall value of the procurement contract, without value added tax, is at most EUR 34 million.
NordenBladet — Finland’s national security has improved with the legislation on intelligence. Information gathering on threats to national security and national defence has become more effective, too, since the new intelligence powers entered into force. This is stated in a recent report on intelligence legislation, which was adopted at the government plenary session on 16 December.“Finland’s security environment has been constantly changing since the adoption of intelligence legislation. We will continue to prepare for new and multi-directional threats by means of up-to-date legislation that takes into account the constitutional preconditions and conditions,” says Petri Knape, Director of the Unit for national Security at the Ministry of the Interior.Intelligence gathering seeks information on factors and phenomena threatening Finland’s national securityIntelligence is civilian intelligence carried out by the Finnish Security Intelligence Service and military intelligence carried out by the Finnish Defence Forces’ intelligence authorities, the Defence Command and the Finnish Defence Forces’ Intelligence Agency. It is used to obtain information to protect Finland’s national security and to support the decision-making of the state leadership, among other things.The report examines the functioning, efficiency and effectiveness of civilian and military intelligence legislation. It also discusses development needs, implementation of legal protection and other relevant issues. The intelligence legislation entered into force on 1 June 2019. The main objective of the legislation is to protect national security while taking into account the requirements arising from both the Constitution and international obligations binding on Finland. Intelligence legislation is constantly being assessed and developedIn order to ensure the safety of society and fundamental and human rights, it is important to implement the policies of earlier Government reports on intelligence activities and to ensure that legislation is up-to-date. The legal basis must be developed to take into account changes in the operating environment that cannot be foreseen, and to ensure that legal protection is implemented and intelligence oversight is up-to-date. Strategic steering and supervision should be developed and timely flow of information should be ensured for the state leadership and authorities. The report implements the entry in the Government Programme of Prime Minister Marin according to which the Government will submit a comprehensive report on intelligence legislation by the end of 2021.
NordenBladet — On 16 December, the Government submitted a report to Parliament on the development of housing policy. The report summarises the principles and objectives for housing policy and presents solutions to housing challenges for the years to come. The housing policy development programme aims to provide good and affordable housing for everybody. The key objective of the development programme, implemented in 2021–2028, is to promote a long-term perspective in housing policy.“Urbanisation continues. The Finnish housing market is becoming more and more differentiated, not only between different types of regions but also within towns and cities. With good housing policy, we can reduce inequality and create more equitable housing areas that are still diverse in terms of both residents and the natural environment,” says Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Emma Kari as she describes the main challenges of housing policy. “To combat the climate crisis, it is essential that Finland will move even faster towards low-carbon construction and housing,” Kari says.Guiding principles for housing policyThe Report on Housing Policy emphasises the need to recognise the impacts that different policy areas have on housing issues better than has been done so far. At the same time, housing policy can be used to promote equality, mitigation of climate emissions and labour mobility, and to even out cyclical fluctuations. To ensure the desired policy impact, housing policy must be pursued with a long-term perspective and across administrative branches.The key principle of housing policy is that everyone has the right to a place and environment to live in that support their wellbeing. In developing housing policy, the focus must also be on the climate and environmental impacts of housing: one third of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by construction and buildings. Good urban planning, a transition to renewable energy sources and a long service life of buildings reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment.According to the report, the role of the State in the housing market is to promote the good functioning of the housing market and try to even out the impacts of cyclical fluctuations in the construction sector. Different types of apartments are needed in the housing market: owner-occupied housing, right-of-occupancy apartments, private lessors, institutional operators and State-subsidised housing production. With respect to State grants and support, all types of housing must be treated equally.State housing policy measures offer much needed solutionsThe means of the State’s housing policy include the agreements concerning land use, housing and transport (MAL) concluded by the State of Finland with the seven largest urban regions. The agreements provide guidance for the numbers of new apartments and their location in a way that is sensible in terms of mobility and the environment.State-subsidised housing production of the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA) is an important way for more people to find reasonably priced apartments. State-subsidised housing production is mainly targeted to growth centres, where the demand for housing is the greatest. To develop the residential building stock of regions with a shrinking population, measures are taken to improve the opportunities of housing companies to undertake renovations.The development programme includes measures targeted to specific groups as well. The ASP scheme that offers a bonus to home savers is further develop to make it easier for young people to purchase their first apartment. Finland is also preparing for the ageing of the population by building one million accessible housing units by 2030. The possibilities of older people to live in their own home are supported with renovation grants.What’s next?Parliament will consider the report during the spring session 2022. In future, the housing policy development programme will lead to different kinds of studies, legislative projects and a wide range of measures. Many of the solutions are included in the Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government.The Government Report on Housing Policy is based on the work done by a working group steered by all parliamentary parties in 2020. The working group was chaired by Hannele Pokka, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment.Housing policy development programme on the website of the Ministry of the Environment (in finnish)
NordenBladet — In 2021, Finland’s funding to UN Women core resources will be EUR 19 million. Last year, Finland was the largest of UN Women’s core resource partners.“UN Women has done excellent work and, under the leadership of Executive Director Sima Bahous, it has clear plans on its focus areas for the next few years,” says Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari. “The list of global gender equality challenges may seem endless, but Finland’s funding has also contributed a lot to tackle them, especially in improving the rights and status of women and girls in the most vulnerable positions. Finland reaffirms its long-term commitment to this work.” Promoting the status and rights of women and girls is one of the key objectives of Finland’s foreign policy, and UN Women is one of Finland’s most important cooperation partners in achieving these objectives.Core funding is flexible support that organisations can direct to where it is most urgently needed. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many other rapidly escalating global crises, this form of support has been particularly significant. Finland has requested that in the core funding for 2021, special attention be paid to the Middle East.UN Women promotes efforts to eliminate gender inequality and discrimination as well as to strengthen the status, opportunities and rights of women and girls. The organisation directs and coordinates the United Nations’ gender equality work.
NordenBladet — The Government has amended the decree that restricts the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The restrictions on food and beverage services businesses that are necessary to prevent the spread of the epidemic will be introduced in the whole of Lapland and the Hospital District of South Savo.The amendment to the decree will enter into force on Saturday 18 December at 00.00.Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions of Uusimaa, Southwest Finland, Satakunta, Kanta-Häme, Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, Kymenlaakso, South Karelia, Central Finland, Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia, Lapland and Åland and in the Hospital District of South Savo, which are all community transmission areas, from 18 December at 00.00Serving of alcoholic beverages in all food and beverage service businesses will end at 17.00. Such businesses may keep their premises open to customers from 5.00 to 18.00. Alcoholic beverages sold before the serving of alcohol ends may be consumed within one hour after the licensing hours have ended. Food and beverage service businesses will be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages after 17.00 only by introducing the COVID-19 passport.Businesses that do not serve alcoholic beverages may be open between 5.00 and 1.00. For example, fast food restaurants and cafes may remain open, just as they are now. Bars and restaurants may also be open between 5.00 and 1.00 if they do not serve alcoholic beverages.Food and beverage service businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages may have only half the normal number of customer seats in use in their indoor and outdoor premises. Other food and beverage service businesses are restricted to 75 per cent of their normal number of customer seats indoors. However, the restrictions on the number of customer seats do not apply in Åland.All customers must have their own seats at a table or similar in indoor premises.Businesses who require all customers to present a COVID-19 passport are exempt from the above-mentioned restrictions.Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses elsewhere in Finland from 18 December at 00.00There are no separate restrictions on the number of customers or on licensing and opening hours.The obligation to observe the general hygiene guidelines and to keep a safe distance applies in all regions.Exceptions to restrictions remain unchangedThe restrictions laid down in the decree do not apply to the activities of staff restaurants or to takeaway sales of food to customers. The restrictions on opening hours do not apply to food and beverage service businesses on vessels and aircraft that operate between Finland and other countries or abroad or to food and beverage service businesses that operate at distribution stations for liquid fuels.