Despite lower prices and, in addition, electricity support for households, there is no noticeable relief in terms of the number of electricity debts. For the first four months of the year, the number of cases to the Kronofogden has increased by almost 50 percent.
Davor Vuleta, an analyst at the Crown Enforcement Agency, points out that the authority had hoped to now see a decline in the number of cases. However, that is not the reality.
Compared to January–April 2022, the number of physical cases has increased by 49 percent and legal cases by 65 percent. The total debt for both is at the same time almost SEK 83 million for the period, according to the Kronofogden’s figures.
– We had hopes that we would reach the top and see approximately the same levels as the previous level, but we are not doing that yet, but there are still quite strong increases from last year, says Davor Vuleta to TT.
– It is simply a very tough situation and worrying.
Backlogs contribute
Davor Vuleta assesses that delays in registration contribute as the Bailiff becomes the last outpost for the affected person.
– At the same time, it is not only electricity prices but also rising interest rates and inflation that mean that households have smaller sums of money to move around with, and then it may take a little longer for this curve to turn around.
Digger mixture
According to Davor Vuleta, it is a mixture of people, including some who have never previously been in contact with the Crown Bailiff. At the same time, the high electricity prices have not only hit households hard, but also many companies with high electricity costs, especially in the southern part of Sweden where the prices have been the highest.
– We do not have regional figures but have made a random selection. It has been everything from bakers, hairdressers, construction companies. There is no typical sector that can be singled out.