Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Carmelo Abela, stressed that a number of measures put in place through the Government’s €900 million COVID-19 aid budget will remain so passed September, contrary to claims made by some that the budget would only be of assistance for the following three months.

Criticism was made because certain measures, such as rent and utility bill subsidies for businesses within Annexes A and B, are being applied for the months of July, August and September.

Minister Abela, who is politically responsible for the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER), said that, for example, the reduction of fuel price by seven cents per litre will be extended passed September, helping businesses and the general public alike. 

In addition, he reminded the public that the reduction in stamp duty and withholding tax on property is available until March 2021.

For buyers, stamp duty will drop from 5 per cent to 1.5 per cent, while the withholding tax for sellers will drop from 8 per cent to 5 per cent.

The above measures will be put into effect on Monday, 15th June.

The minister also stressed that investment on industrial infrastructure to bolster the economy will remain ongoing, with an eight-year plan in place.