Prime Minister Robert Abela, in a press conference following the Budget 2021 announcement on Monday night, said the Budget lays the foundation for Malta to look to the future with confidence.

In contrast, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech criticized a “tired” Government for rehashing previous Budget measures and failing to think about a long-term vision for Malta

(Left) Prime Minister Robert Abela / Opposition Leader Bernard Grech 

Budget seeks to safeguard Malta, while strengthening it – Prime Minister Robert Abela

Dr Abela said that the need to protect Malta’s productive capacity amid disruptions caused by COVID-19 was central to next year’s Budget.

The extended wage supplement, to at least March 2021, is aimed at supporting Malta though the pandemic, and is the best way to safeguard workers and businesses, Dr Abela added.

He added that while protecting the country’s economy, the Budget also strives to strengthen Malta.

“It was a budget where we not only sought to meet the present challenge, but we looked to the future, to a future vision of Malta.”

The Prime Minister highlighted the €450 million industrial estates revamp project, saying it will prepare Malta for rapid changes in the economy, making it future-ready.

He added that measures have been balanced with safeguarding the environment, including a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050, as well as a ban on the importation of single-use plastic.

The Prime Minister thanked the Maltese for their courage, saying 2020 will be marked for when the people showed their strength.

He called the 2021 Budget “the best” unveiled by Labour Governments, giving people peace of mind and confidence.

‘One would have expected extraordinary measures for these extraordinary times’ - Opposition Leader Bernard Grech

Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said the Government’s 2021 Budget “ignores tomorrow”, at a press conference following Monday’s night’s Budget announcement.

He said the Prime Minister and the Government for “failing to understand that the situation in the country is the result of the laisse-faire leadership of Robert Abela”

“One would have expected extraordinary measures for these extraordinary times. This Budget is an exercise in recycling previous years’ ideas by a tired Government which has no material vision for how to lead the economy out of this crisis, let alone save it.”

He said that some measures were positive, while others have been recycled.

Dr Grech also said the Government was ignoring the realities faced by the health and tourism sectors.

He said that the Government should have established pillars for the economy of tomorrow, rather than solely focus on the immediate challenges.

The Opposition Leader criticized the Government for giving out COVID-19 aid that amounted to less than €400 per capita and failed to include reductions in energy tariffs and fuel prices.

He also noted that nothing was mentioned about how the Government would flatten the curve of coronavirus infections.