Plans to propose changes to the Budget Bill

Njáll Trausti Friðbertsson, a Member of Parliament for the Independence Party, intends to submit amendments to the new budget bill presented yesterday by Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Daði Már Kristófersson.

In the new bill, there is no provision to extend the special private pension savings arrangement. Njáll says this is a major disappointment. He notes that the Independence Party has previously fought to keep the program open and will continue to do so.

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“This has been a general scheme allowing people to use their private pension savings to make tax-free payments on their mortgages. It came as a surprise to see in the budget bill that there are no plans to extend this authorization,” Friðbertsson said.

“I’ve been saying for a long time how important it is to preserve this option,” he added.

Supporting private ownership

“There has been — and still is — strong emphasis within our parliamentary group on extending this program and allowing the public to make payments on their housing loans in this way.”

Njáll stressed the importance of promoting policies that support private ownership, so that people have the opportunity to buy their own homes. He believes this initiative has greatly encouraged savings in recent years.

Finally, Friðbertsson expressed optimism that the proposed changes will be approved.

“I was hopeful when I introduced this idea within the governing majority last year, and I feel the same way now. I hope I will receive the support of Parliament for this.”