Finland raises 2013 deficit forecast to 9 billion euros

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland's government said its budget deficit this year would be 9.0 billion euros ($12.0 billion), higher than a previously estimated 7.8 billion, as economic uncertainty had discouraged spending by companies and consumers.

The finance ministry proposed on Friday a 346 million euro additional budget for 2013. It said it had to take on more debt as tax income was expected to be 0.9 billion euros smaller than previously estimated.