Government issues instructions on the implementation of the structural policy programme

At its meeting today, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy issued instructions on the implementation of the Government’s structural policy programme.

The ministries shall be responsible for implementing the structural policy programme. The ministries shall prioritise in their own activities the implementation of those structural policy programme measures within their areas of responsibility.

Structural policy programme measures that require changes to appropriations shall proceed within the framework of the spending limits procedure. If structural policy programme measures call for an increase in appropriations, the increases shall be implemented through re-allocations within the central government spending limits. The Budget Department of the Ministry of Finance shall assess by the March 2014 spending limits discussion whether the structural policy programme is being implemented within the central government spending limits.

The ministries shall deliver their spending limits proposals to the Ministry of Finance by 8 January 2014. In so far as structural policy programme measures do not require changes to appropriations, the ministries shall deliver revised proposals on the content and implementation of the measures to the Structural Policy Programme Steering Group by 24 January 2014. The Ministry of Finance shall produce an assessment of the effects of the ministries’ proposals. Thereafter, the Structural Policy Programme Steering Group shall deliver an assessment of the progress of implementation to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy.

The ministries shall ensure that the matters within their areas of responsibility are handled in the appropriate ministerial committees and working groups. The ministerial committees and working groups shall deliver their assessments of these matters to the Structural Policy Programme Steering Group and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy.

The Structural Policy Programme Steering Group shall deliver an assessment of the need for further measures to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy by the end of February, on the basis of which the Cabinet Committee of Economic policy shall direct the preparation of further measures.

The Structural Policy Programme Steering Group shall deliver a report on the implementation of the structural policy programme as well as revised proposals for further measures based on the statements of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy for the consideration of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy before the spending limits discussion. Final decisions on further measures shall be made in the Government spending limit discussion on 24–25 March 2014.

Inquiries: Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on Economic Affairs, Joonas Turunen, Prime Minister's Office, tel. +358 295 160 292