At the Labour Party General Conference, the hard copies of the 1000-proposal strong manifesto have been distributed to Labour delegates. A quick skim through the document shows that, apart from the 100 proposals already announced so far, Labour will be strong on mental health, climate change, urban regeneration and social wellbeing. These are some of the yet-unannounced proposals that caught our eye.

These are some of the yet-unannounced proposals that caught our eye.

Mental health is as important as physical health

Mental health will be integrated in primary health care, with training provided to family doctors to be able to offer care to patients at home. This concept will also be extended to Gozo.

A new service will be introduced whereby a team of professionals will be able to assist people experiencing mental health difficulties, over a number of weeks in their own home. This will ensure assistance in the shortest time possible so that the situation does not escalate.

Mental health will be integrated in primary health care, with training provided to family doctors to be able to offer care to patients at home.

The new psychiatric care hospital next to Mater Dei will be opened, and Mount Carmel will be changed into a place offering specialised service to patients with mental health and addiction issues, as well as other psychiatric conditions.

A new Labour Government will include mental health assistance and employee training in all collective agreements signed by any of its entities.

Specialised training will also be given to educators so that they are able to recognise signs of mental health challenges and bring to the attention of parents or guardians.

Support will also be provided to families of people suffering from mental health crisis.

Malta: a climate neutral island

Labour is pledging to hold a conference with neighbouring countries in the Mediterranean to come up with collaborative initiatives and tangible goals on how to better meet this challenge.

Labour will proceed with the necessary studies and technical preparations on hydrogen, and launch a national hydrogen plan to help the industry prepare for this change.

Labour will proceed with the necessary studies and technical preparations on hydrogen.

An additional scheme to help first-time buyers and low-income families to improve energy performance of their property.

The electrification of transport is essential. Labour will install around 200 new substations with automated technology around Malta and Gozo.

An inclusive society

Under the inclusive society section, the Labour manifesto includes a whole range of proposals aiming to improve the social wellbeing of people.

Among the proposals that caught our eye is the extension of urgent family leave from 15 hours to 30 hours per year. In the case of medical emergencies, the hours will be deducted from the sick leave instead of the annual leave.

Urgent family leave from 15 hours to

30 hours per year.

In a bid to encourage families to save more, a new Labour government will double the tax credit in the first two years for people who start a private pension.

Moreover, government will pay one-year contributions in cases where the person on a private pension loses employment.

Labour will also introduce psychological support services to people who lose their partner.

A national plan for economic and social regeneration

Labour is pledging a national plan to stimulate economic activity and improve the standard of living of residents in different localities around Malta and Gozo.

As part of this plan, Labour will give a €15,000 grant to start-ups opening in localities identified in the National Plan.

Labour will give a €15,000 grant to start-ups opening in localities identified in the National Plan.

Small businesses already operating in these localities will benefit from a 50% refund on the costs of renovating their premises, up to a maximum of €15,000.

The €15,000 aid to first-time buyers purchasing vacant property, UCA property or property with traditional features, announced in the last Budget will be doubled, for €30,000 when the properties are in the identified locations.

Businesses in these localities will also benefit from a payment covering up to 30% of the cost on wages, up to €6,000 per worker.