Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party has said that the utility bills issue overrides this year’s budget, resulting in much concern across the economic, political and social spheres. AD also referred to various economic, social and environmental aspects of the budget, referring to them as being mixed in positive and negative repercussions.

AD Chairperson Arnold Cassola said “It appears that government paid attention to certain proposals put forward by civil society, yet this was definitely not the case in the utility bills issue. Utility bills are dominating the scene, resulting in wide uncertainty across social and economic levels.”

“We appeal to Government to rise to the occasion and revise its decision on water and electricity bills. AD will be the first to support Government if this decision takes place.”

“Whilst certain measures will benefit the Tourist industry, the reduced budget for Heritage Malta will not help enhance our cultural product,” added Prof. Cassola.

Michael Briguglio, spokesperson for Social and Economic Development, added, “AD appreciates the fact that Malta’s economy is not isolated from the current global economic crisis. However, this does not excuse Government for avoiding proper consultation with civil society and to carry out scientific studies before imposing the new utility tariffs. AD once again appeals to Government to analyse the specific realities of different types of households, businesses and organisations through economic and sociological analysis, and to penalise wasteful practices and not normal consumption.”

“Income tax reductions, shall be carried out in a regressive way. Low-middle and middle income earners are the least to benefit. Various social categories and classes, including pensioners and workers, deserve more realistic compensation to make up for the surge in cost of living and the decline in real value of wages and pensions.”

“The incentives to encourage more women to take up formal employment, though welcome, are not enough. Malta requires social policies which balance work and family life in an equitable way. Universally accessible and affordable childcare centres, and flexible working hours upon workers’ choice, and policies which help parents are essential in this regard,”

Mr Briguglio added that AD welcomes the scheme which helps first-time home buyers, but the scheme should be more universally accessible, whilst being coupled with the introduction of fiscal incentives and disincentives to encourage rent of properties and discourage speculation respectively. Malta currently has 53,000 vacant properties.

“It should be made clear whether the housing scheme is open to certain social groups, such as persons entering pensionable age who are not home owners, who can have problems coping with the cost of housing.”

Michael Briguglio also referred to positive social and economic proposals including increased investment in tourism, breast cancer screening and research, and the proposal to introduce further incentives and obligations for the long-term unemployed as a step for re-integration in the formal labour market.

Carmel Cacopardo, spokesperson for Sustainable Development and Local Government said, “Whilst we welcome the incentives for alternative energy, many people will probably still find it prohibitive to afford the capital expenditure required for solar energy, and others do not have access to such energy, for example if they live in apartments. The re-introduction of schemes to incentivise use of energy efficient appliances is also missing.”

“The new car registration scheme, is welcome. However the car licence rates should not have been implemented at this stage but only when the public transport system is functioning as a public service should. Until such time increasing car licence payments for cars currently on the road ends up reducing accessibility to those at the lower end of the social ladder. The same can be said for increases announced in petrol and diesel rates which in the present circumstances are premature and will not serve their environmental scope of shifting custom to public transport.”

Carmel Cacopardo concluded that whilst AD welcomes Government’s environmental initiatives in the current budget as a declaration of intent it feels that due to a lack of facilities and alternatives these will not be effective at the present moment.

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