New figures from SkatØresund, which deals with taxation matters for people living in the Swedish part of the Øresund Region and who work in Denmark, show that Swedes are still pouring into the Danish labour market.

In February, a total of 377 Swedes who had not previously worked in Denmark became Danish taxpayers. This is an increase of 139 per cent compared with last year and an increase of 439 per cent compared with February 2005 when 70 "new" Swedes were registered at SkatØresund.

During the first two months of 2007, a total of 852 Swedes who have not previously worked in Denmark found employment on the Danish side of the Øresund. During the same period last year the corresponding figure was 278 persons, writes the Øresund Bridge Consortium in its recent newsletter.

By 1 April 2007, the Danish tax authorities will be able to issue Danish tax cards immediately, shortening case administration from the current three weeks to only 30 minutes.

The many new Swedes entering the Danish labour market are also boosting commuter statistics for the Øresund Bridge. In February, despite the Øresund Region experiencing a raging blizzard which forced traffic to a standstill, commuter crossings of the Øresund Bridge set a new record. In January and February an average of 14,400 cars crossed the Øresund Bridge every day, of which 5,600 cars were carrying commuters. This figure sets a new record and is an increase of 51 per cent compared with the same period last year.