Dr Simon Busuttil, the Leader of the Opposition, in his reaction to Budget 2014 said that it increases taxes by €170 million, an average of €400 per person and made no announcement on the creation of new employment.

He added that “the devil was in the detail” saying that some of the measures “were gimmicks” with the announced reduction in utility tariffs, costing around €25 million, more than recouped by the increase in taxation.

The Budget is void of economic direction, Dr Busuttil said, containing no new ideas except the citizenship scheme.

Dr Busuttil said that the deficit target of 2.7% of GDP, had been revised upwards from 2.3% without explanation, with no explanation.

Permalink: €170 m increase in taxation and no announcement on job creation – PN