2026-05-262025/26:SoU29 · p.1SoUHealth & social services
Government's legislative proposal
The government's legislative proposal for an activity requirement for recipients of social assistance
What's at stake: The decision determines whether social-assistance recipients nationwide will now have to take part in assigned activities to keep their support, directly affecting their livelihoods as well as the division of responsibility between the state and municipalities for labour-market policy.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the Riksdag should adopt the government's combined legislative package making participation in activities a condition for the right to social assistance, or reject the proposal entirely on the grounds that it lacks evidence and risks excluding the most vulnerable from the last-resort safety net.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee backs the government's proposal to introduce an activity requirement as a condition for the right to social assistance, aiming to counter exclusion, break benefit dependency, and break the social isolation that long-term dependency can cause for both adults and children. The requirement is tied to the right to the benefit and made mandatory, with the social welfare board responsible for ensuring activities are available, and the committee judges that municipalities have good conditions for fulfilling this responsibility.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (V)
The reservation (V) wants to reject the whole proposition. It shares the ambition that more people should be able to support themselves, but argues there is no evidence that full-time activities help move people from social assistance into work, and that the proposal risks excluding those unable to meet the requirements, thereby indirectly dismantling the last-resort safety net. It also views the proposal as shifting responsibility for labour-market policy from the state to municipalities.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: adopting the government's legislative proposal and rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 1 by V.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/21/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| S | Yes | Yes 106/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| MP | No | Yes 18/0/0/0 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| C | Yes | Yes 24/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| L | Yes | Yes 16/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| KD | Yes | Yes 19/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | Yes | Yes 65/0/0/1 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| SD | Yes | Yes 69/0/0/1 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag adopts the Government's proposal for 1. an amendment to the Social Services Act (2025:400), 2. an amendment to the Work Environment Act (1977:1160), 3. an amendment to the Act (2024:506) on unemployment insurance, 4. an amendment to the Social Services Act (2025:400). Thus the Riksdag approves proposition 2025/26:207 points 1-4 and rejects motion 2025/26:4027 by Maj Karlsson et al. (V).
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen antar regeringens förslag till 1. lag om ändring i socialtjänstlagen (2025:400), 2. lag om ändring i arbetsmiljölagen (1977:1160), 3. lag om ändring i lagen (2024:506) om arbetslöshetsförsäkring, 4. lag om ändring i socialtjänstlagen (2025:400). Därmed bifaller riksdagen proposition 2025/26:207 punkterna 1-4 och avslår motion 2025/26:4027 av Maj Karlsson m.fl. (V).
Riksdag decision: Those receiving maintenance support shall participate in activities during time not used for, for example, seeking work or studying. The Riksdag approved the Government's proposal on activity requirements as a condition for maintenance support. The activity requirement aims, among other things, to prevent social exclusion and to utilize the workforce. Persons who have received maintenance support for at least three consecutive months shall be covered by the requirement. The Government's proposal includes a number of exceptions for when the activity requirement shall not apply, for example for those under 18 years old, those receiving sick pay, or those on parental leave with a child under one year old. The legislative amendments on activity requirements come into force on July 1, 2026.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to reject the government's proposal for full-time activity requirements for subsistence support recipients. (V) — Reservation 1
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan's answer to unemployment is full employment through major investments, and it explicitly rejects the right's idea that people perform better under worse conditions.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's answer to unemployment is full employment through major investments, and it explicitly rejects the right's idea that people perform better under worse conditions. A mandatory activity requirement that conditions the ultimate safety net risks instead excluding those who cannot meet the requirements, in conflict with the requirement for a general welfare system with a high minimum level. The plan therefore supports the counter-proposal's motion to reject.
Original (Swedish)
Planens svar på arbetslöshet är full sysselsättning genom stora investeringar, och den avvisar uttryckligen högerns idé att människor presterar bättre av sämre villkor. Ett obligatoriskt aktivitetskrav som villkorar det yttersta skyddsnätet riskerar i stället att stänga ute dem som inte klarar kraven, i strid med kravet på en generell välfärd med hög lägsta nivå. Planen stöder därför motförslagets avslagsyrkande.
- rejects the stick against the unemployeddecisive»Högerns idé är att invandrade, sjuka och arbetslösa är lata och om vi får det sämre så tvingas vi prestera bättre.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The right's idea is that immigrants, sick people, and unemployed people are lazy and if we get it worse then we will be forced to perform better.”
- high minimum level in welfare»hög lägsta nivå är en helt avgörande strategi för att samla människor« (party programme ↗)“high minimum level is a completely crucial strategy for gathering people”
- full employment»Ändå är det bara ett parti i riksdagen som har en politik för full sysselsättning« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Yet there is only one party in the Riksdag that has a policy for full employment”
- evidence-based reforms»förslag som visar sig effektiva och rättvisa den dag de genomförs.« (party programme ↗)“proposals that show themselves to be effective and just the day they are implemented.”
The plan explicitly establishes that requirements should be set for activity to receive maintenance support, so that no one becomes trapped in inactivity, and that everyone who can work should work and contribute.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly establishes that requirements should be set for activity to receive maintenance support, so that no one becomes trapped in inactivity, and that everyone who can work should work and contribute. Rejecting the entire activity requirement goes directly against that commitment. The plan's integration line is built on both duty and right, with clear responsibility also for the individual.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår uttryckligen fast att det behöver ställas krav på aktivitet för att få försörjningsstöd, så att ingen fastnar i passivitet, och att alla som kan jobba ska jobba och bidra. Att avslå hela aktivitetskravet går rakt emot det åtagandet. Planens integrationslinje bygger på både plikt och rätt, med tydligt ansvar också för individen.
- activity requirements for maintenance supportdecisive»För att ingen ska fastna i passivitet behöver det ställas krav på aktivitet för att få försörjningsstöd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“So that no one becomes trapped in inactivity, requirements for activity must be set to receive maintenance support.”
- everyone who can work should work»Alla som kan jobba ska jobba och bidra för att bli en del av samhället.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Everyone who can work should work and contribute in order to become part of society.”
- duty and right»Integration byggd på både plikt och rätt, med tydligt ansvar också för individen« (party programme ↗)“Integration built on both duty and right, with clear responsibility also for the individual”
- right and obligation to work»Rätt till arbete för alla, och goda förutsättningar att delta i arbetslivet.« (party programme ↗)“Right to employment for all, and good conditions to participate in working life.”
The plan wants to build strong safety nets so that no one is left behind and states that everyone has the right to basic economic security, and that people should not be passed between authorities.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to build strong safety nets so that no one is left behind and states that everyone has the right to basic economic security, and that people should not be passed between authorities. A mandatory full-time activity requirement that conditions the ultimate safety net risks instead shutting out those who cannot meet the requirements. The counter-proposal's demand to reject the proposal is therefore in line with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill bygga skyddsnäten starka så att ingen lämnas utanför och slår fast att alla har rätt till en grundläggande ekonomisk trygghet, samt att människor inte ska bollas mellan myndigheter. Ett obligatoriskt heltidsaktivitetskrav som villkorar det yttersta skyddsnätet riskerar i stället att stänga ute dem som inte klarar kraven. Motförslagets krav att avslå förslaget ligger därför i linje med planen.
- strong safety nets for alldecisive»Vi vill bygga skyddsnäten starka så att alla kan vara trygga och ingen lämnas utanför.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to build strong safety nets so that everyone can be secure and no one is left behind.”
- basic economic security»Alla har rätt till en grundläggande ekonomisk trygghet.« (party programme ↗)“Everyone has the right to basic economic security.”
- coherent support»se till att människor inte bollas mellan myndigheter när de behöver samhällets stöd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“ensure that people are not passed between authorities when they need public support.”
- protect children in households»Ekonomisk utsatthet ska inte gå i arv.« (party programme ↗)“Economic vulnerability should not pass down through generations.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that the work line shall be protected, that those who can work should not live on taxpayers' money and that it shall be more rewarding to go from benefits to work, with measures characterized by hard work and high expectations.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that the work line shall be protected, that those who can work should not live on taxpayers' money and that it shall be more rewarding to go from benefits to work, with measures characterized by hard work and high expectations. An activity requirement as a condition for social assistance is therefore in line with the plan, and the counter-proposal's demand to reject the entire package goes against that. The plan's requirement that no one falls through the safety net is a reservation, not a reason to reject the reform.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att arbetslinjen ska värnas, att den som kan jobba inte ska leva på skattebetalarnas pengar och att det ska löna sig mer att gå från bidrag till arbete, med insatser präglade av hårt arbete och höga förväntningar. Ett aktivitetskrav som villkor för försörjningsstöd ligger därför i linje med planen, och motförslagets krav på att avslå hela paketet går emot den. Planens krav på att ingen ska falla igenom skyddsnätet är ett förbehåll, inte ett skäl att avvisa reformen.
- protected work linedecisive»Arbetslinjen måste värnas, och den som kan jobba ska inte leva på skattebetalarnas pengar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The work line must be protected, and those who can work should not live on taxpayers' money.”
- incentives from benefits to work»Vi vill att det ska löna sig mer att gå från bidrag till arbete, och att fler med kortare utbildning och erfarenhet ska ha möjlighet att få enkla jobb.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want it to be more rewarding to go from benefits to work, and for more people with shorter education and experience to have the opportunity to get simple jobs.”
- high expectations and practical training»Integrationen ska präglas av intensiv praktik och språkutbildning, med hårt arbete och höga förväntningar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Integration shall be characterized by intensive practical training and language education, with hard work and high expectations.”
- avoid benefit traps»Samtidigt får inte bidragsfällor och trösklar göra det olönsamt att återgå« (party programme ↗)“At the same time, benefit traps and thresholds must not make it unprofitable to return”
The plan explicitly wants to introduce compensation for people able to work with a clear requirement for reciprocal obligations in the form of assigned work, language training, or other competency-building activities, and establishes that maintenance support should be help forward, not a dead end.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly wants to introduce compensation for people able to work with a clear requirement for reciprocal obligations in the form of assigned work, language training, or other competency-building activities, and establishes that maintenance support should be help forward, not a dead end. The counter-proposal wants to reject the entire activity requirement. This goes directly against the plan's commitment that requirements on the individual should be combined with efforts to return to work.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill uttryckligen införa en ersättning för arbetsföra personer med ett tydligt krav på motprestation i form av anvisat arbete, språkutbildning eller annan kompetenshöjande verksamhet, och slår fast att försörjningsstödet ska vara en hjälp vidare, inte en återvändsgränd. Motförslaget vill avslå hela aktivitetskravet. Det går rakt emot planens åtagande att krav på individen ska kombineras med insatser för att komma i arbete.
- requirement for reciprocal obligationsdecisive»Vi vill införa en ny dagersättning för arbetsföra personer med ett tydligt krav på motprestation i form av anvisat arbete, språkutbildning eller annan kompetenshöjande verksamhet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to introduce a new daily allowance for people able to work with a clear requirement for reciprocal obligations in the form of assigned work, language training, or other competency-building activities.”
- maintenance support should lead forward»Försörjningsstödet ska vara en hjälp på vägen vidare, inte en återvändsgränd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Maintenance support should be help forward, not a dead end.”
- requirements combined with efforts»Försörjningsstöd ska syfta till att hjälpa individer tillbaka till självförsörjning. Krav på individen måste kombineras med insatser för att komma i arbete.« (party programme ↗)“Maintenance support should aim to help individuals back to self-support. Requirements on the individual must be combined with efforts to return to work.”
- fewer on grants»Fler måste bidra – färre måste gå på bidrag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More must contribute – fewer must rely on grants.”
The party programme demands that benefit systems be designed so that people's own initiative is encouraged and benefit dependency is counteracted, and that replacement levels stimulate individuals to participate in measures leading back to working life.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme demands that benefit systems be designed so that people's own initiative is encouraged and benefit dependency is counteracted, and that replacement levels stimulate individuals to participate in measures leading back to working life. The goal of social policy is self-sufficiency. An activity requirement linked to livelihood support is in line with this, and the counter-proposal wants to reject the entire package.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet kräver att bidragssystemen utformas så att människors egen kraft uppmuntras och bidragsberoende motverkas, och att ersättningsnivåerna stimulerar den enskilde att delta i åtgärder som leder tillbaka till arbetslivet. Socialpolitikens mål är egen försörjning. Ett aktivitetskrav kopplat till försörjningsstödet ligger i den linjen, och motförslaget vill avslå hela paketet.
- counteract benefit dependencydecisive»Skatte- och bidragssystemen måste utformas så att människors egen kraft och engagemang uppmuntras, och att bidragsberoende motverkas.« (party programme ↗)“Tax and benefit systems must be designed so that people's own initiative and commitment are encouraged and benefit dependency is counteracted.”
- replacements shall stimulate participation»Nivåerna på ersättningarna ska utformas så att den enskilde stimuleras att delta i åtgärder som leder till så god hälsa som möjligt och återgång till arbetslivet.« (party programme ↗)“Replacement levels shall be designed so that individuals are stimulated to participate in measures leading to the best possible health and return to working life.”
- self-sufficiency as a goal»Målet för socialpolitiken är att stödja gemenskaperna och de enskilda människorna till egen försörjning och god omvårdnad.« (party programme ↗)“The goal of social policy is to support communities and individuals towards self-sufficiency and good care.”
- ultimate safety net»Men det offentliga är ytterst ansvarigt för att alla ska kunna leva ett tryggt och värdigt liv.« (party programme ↗)“But the public sector is ultimately responsible for ensuring everyone can live a safe and dignified life.”
The plan contains an explicit commitment to require full-time activity from those living on income support and to set requirements for full-time activities in order to receive benefits.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan contains an explicit commitment to require full-time activity from those living on income support and to set requirements for full-time activities in order to receive benefits. The counter-proposal wishes to reject this entire package. The party programme also establishes that public welfare can never be without requirements, which means the plan clearly speaks against the counter-proposal's demands.
Original (Swedish)
Planen innehåller ett uttryckligt åtagande om att kräva aktivitet på heltid av den som lever på försörjningsstöd och att ställa krav på heltidsaktiviteter för att få bidrag. Motförslaget vill avslå hela detta paket. Partiprogrammet slår dessutom fast att den offentliga välfärden aldrig får vara kravlös, vilket gör att planen tydligt talar emot motförslagets krav.
- full-time activity for income supportdecisive»Kräva aktivitet på heltid av den som lever på försörjningsstöd« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Require full-time activity from those living on income support”
- activity requirements for benefits»Ställa krav på heltidsaktiviteter för att få bidrag« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Set requirements for full-time activities in order to receive benefits”
- requirements in welfare»Den offentliga välfärden får aldrig vara kravlös.« (party programme ↗)“Public welfare can never be without requirements.”
- socially beneficial measures»Möjliggöra samhällsnyttiga insatser för den som lever på bidrag« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Enable socially beneficial measures for those living on benefits”
The plan explicitly requires work obligations as a condition for municipal maintenance support and that it should be more profitable to work than to receive benefits.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly requires work obligations as a condition for municipal maintenance support and that it should be more profitable to work than to receive benefits. The counter-proposal wants to reject the entire activity requirement package by citing lack of evidence, which directly contradicts the plan's commitment. The plan therefore speaks against the counter-proposal's demand.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver uttryckligen arbetsplikt som villkor för det kommunala försörjningsstödet och att det ska bli mer lönsamt att arbeta än att uppbära bidrag. Motförslaget vill avslå hela aktivitetskravspaketet med hänvisning till bristande evidens, vilket direkt strider mot planens åtagande. Planen talar därför emot motförslagets krav.
- work obligation for supportdecisive»Arbetsplikt ska också bli ett villkor för personer som idag blir försörjda genom det kommunala försörjningsstödet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work obligation shall also become a condition for people who today are supported through municipal maintenance support.”
- work obligation for benefits»Inför arbetsplikt för bidrag« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce work obligation for benefits”
- clearer work incentives»Incitamenten för att bidra till det gemensamma måste bli tydligare för den som länge försörjt sig på skattebetalarna.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The incentives for contributing to the common cause must become clearer for those who have long supported themselves on taxpayers.”
- work should pay»Göra det mer lönsamt att arbeta« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Make working more profitable”
Share and embed
Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:SoU29)
- Committee report full text (HD01SoU29)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:4016 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:207 Aktivitetskrav för mottagare av försörjningsstöd av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:4027 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:207 Aktivitetskrav för mottagare av försörjningsstöd av Maj Karlsson m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:4032 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:207 Aktivitetskrav för mottagare av försörjningsstöd av Christofer Bergenblock m.fl. (C)
- Proposition 2025/26:207 — Aktivitetskrav för mottagare av försörjningsstöd
Source: The Swedish Parliament