A look at conflicting versions of the PN’s migration policy: doubling the non-EU workforce versus the expulsion of all non-EU workers. In his reply to the Budget Speech this week, when he was expected to give the details of his “economic vision”, the Leader of the Opposition failed to mention any numbers. Perhaps he was cautious following his huge gaffe that ten billion means one thousand million,...

The Opposition's claims that Budget 2024's capital expenditure allocation is not enough are contradicted by the facts and figures. The Opposition has criticised the Government because, it argues, the allocated capital expenditure in Budget 2024 is not enough. In reality, next year the allocation for this purpose is €905 million. This is well above the historical average and almost...

“The Prime Minister showed great statesmanship when keeping true to socialist principles, instead of adopting an anti-foreign rhetoric. We all know what happened to the UK after Brexit. People were fooled into thinking that immigration would be stopped but today there are many more immigrants in the UK than before Brexit. That is exactly what would happen if Bernard Grech and his lot are let in Castille.” A comparison of Robert Abela’s and Bernard Grech's speeches on Budget 2024 Earlier this week, both Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition Leader Bernard Grech gave their take on Budget 2024 in comprehensive speeches in Parliament. The only thing in common between the two speeches was their length. Aside from that, the contrast could not...

How do the improvements given in Budget 2024 compare to those in previous budgets? Is Budget 2024 more generous than its preceding budgets? In this article we will look at four representative examples and compare the improvements given in Budget 2024 with those in last year’s budget and the ones in the preceding legislature.  Legislature...

The European Commission did not send Malta a letter asking for further explanations of the plan on 27th October, as it did to many other Euro area countries. As part of the Stability and Growth Pact – a set of rules designed to ensure that countries in the European Union pursue sound public finances and coordinate their fiscal policies – each and every government of Euro area country must send a Draft Budgetary Plan to the...

What the PN is saying vs the real facts and figures. Fact-checking 10 PN claims regarding Budget 2024 What the Nationalist Party is saying  The real facts and figures    The national debt is growing out of controlNational debt in 2012 was almost 70% of GDP; now it is 53%A year ago, the Minister for...

Understanding the additional mechanism against inflation: While the standard COLA is an addition to wages and social benefits, the additional COLA is a benefit in its own right. Its calculation, although somewhat inspired by the one underpinning the standard COLA, differs in important respects. It’s always a good idea to double-check one’s facts before publishing anything. In its editorial, The Malta Independent on Sunday implied that the fact that the number of beneficiaries of the additional cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) mechanism introduced in...

A look at how the Budget 2024 measures affect the income of 8 different types of households. The impact ranges between €1,862 for a two-person household to €3,132 for a four-person household. The impact of Budget 2024 on people’s income can be summarised in three key points: The first is a rise in wages, either through the cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) or the minimum wage, and in a main income benefit, such as a pension or carer’s allowance. The...

It is unfair to say that Budget 2024 does not benefit middle-class families. In fact, most of these families will be better off by close to €1,000 or more, which is which is a meaningful financial boost. Some in the media have tried to downplay the benefits of Budget 2024, arguing that it did not have any measures benefitting the middle class. Their claim is contradicted by the facts. If truth be told, the Budget included a number of measures that will make a real...

A look at how pensioners have benefitted from Budget 2024. Budget 2024 has affected different categories of pensioners. improving their income. By looking at a number of examples, The Journal has verified the extent to which this is the case and found that, while the headline increase for pensioners was of €15 per week, in...

From a disabled person’s perspective, the 2024 Budget is more than just numbers and policies; it is a testament to the country’s social conscience. The 2024 Budget is not only a roadmap for further prosperity but also a beacon of hope for a more inclusive future. As a disabled young woman, I can’t help but applaud the noteworthy initiatives for people with disabilities outlined in the Budget Speech. These...

Economist JP Fabri tells The Journal that this Budget, a social one at heart, has provided a continuity exercise with the extension of numerous schemes and incentives. It continues to aim for the stabilisation of economic activity and the support of domestic demand. The main challenge is how to address the longer-term vision of enhancing productivity and ensuring a competitive Malta. “Social to the core” is how JP Fabri, an economist and founding partner at Seed – an international advisory firm with expertise in applied economics, regulatory processes, tax, and corporate structuring – describes the Budget for 2024, presented by Finance Minister...