Tutor tax break raises anger as causing widening inequality

A SWEDISH government plan to offer tax breaks to parents who hire tutors for their children has sparked fresh fears about rising class divisions in the traditionally egalitarian nation.

Although the country is home to the Swedish model of high taxes and generous welfare, data from the OECD club of wealthy nations has shown inequalities rising.

The centre-right government of Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has over six years chipped away at the social welfare system and rolled out wide tax rebates.

The aim to become one of the few countries to offer tax breaks for families who pay tutors to help their children with homework has touched off a new debate.

‘‘Politicians must try to keep the country together. This tears us apart,’’ opposition Social Democrat parliamentarian Hans Olsson said. ‘‘ The people who are on benefits and need help aren’t going to be able to use this.’’

The Government sees the move as a way to boost educational attainment as Sweden has seen its position in global education rankings slide over the past decade.

The Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) reported in a 2009 survey that 15- year- old students in Sweden trailed most of their Nordic neighbours in reading and mathematics, performing only just

Politicians must try to keep the country together. This tears us apart.

around the OECD average.

Lena Asplund, a parliamentarian for Reinfeldt’s Moderate Party, said other tax rebates had led to an annual increase of about 9000 fulltime workers.

But OECD figures show Reinfeldt’s reforms, as well as earlier changes, some under the Social Democrats, have given Sweden the steepest increase in inequality over 15 years among the 34 members of the organisation, with disparities rising at four times the pace of the United States.