Everyday living costs dominated people’s priorities in the lead up to the 2027 Budget announcement.

Marketing Advisory Services' ‘National Budget Priorities & Household Finances in Malta’ survey was carried out between 18th September and 11th October, and gathered responses from 362 people.

Respondents were asked to select up to three priorities for the Budget.

Reducing the cost of food and other everyday essentials was the top choice, selected by 42.3 per cent.

The second highest selected option (39.5 per cent) was continued Government support to keep electricity, water and fuel prices stable.

In third place, increasing pensions and social benefits was selected by 31.2 per cent.

Reducing income tax or adjusting tax bands (27.3 per cent), improving public services and infrastructure (25.4 per cent) and housing affordability (23.8 per cent) came after.

When asked to choose just one priority, respondents put stable electricity, water and fuel prices first (17.4 per cent), slightly ahead of lower food and essentials prices (15.8 per cent).

“No other option exceeded 11 per cent: reducing income tax or tax bands (10.7 per cent), increasing pensions and benefits (10.4 per cent), improving housing affordability (10.4 per cent) and improving public services (10.1 per cent) are almost level."

The survey report compares the priorities against actual measures announced in Budget 2027.

With regards to reducing the price of food and other everyday essentials, no direct reduction in the prices of food or essentials was announced, but guidelines are planned to clarify food VAT-exemption rules. Regarding energy and fuel prices, the Government is keeping the subsidies. On pensions and social benefits, pensions are to rise €10 per week (including COLA); disability, carer and social assistance rates will also increase.

As for reducing income tax or adjusting tax bands, income-tax thresholds and bands are to further be adjusted for parents with children under the phased tax-relief scheme. In terms of improving public services and infrastructure, €75m for electricity distribution was announced, as was continued hospital, road and maritime infrastructure projects.

As for housing affordability, existing housing, home-purchase and renovation schemes were renewed for 2027.

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Respondents were also asked what Government should prioritise if it has limited funds available.

Reductions in taxes and charges lead (28.7 per cent), followed by smaller financial measures that benefit most households (26.2 per cent), investment in public services and infrastructure (22.1 per cent) and greater support targeted towards households with the greatest financial need (18.5 per cent); 4.4 per cent said they do not know.