National Youth Card proposed by MLP

The launch of a national youth card, enabling youths to get discounts on public services and from private agencies which opt to join the scheme, is one of the proposals contained in the MLP's draft policy on young people, launched yesterday.

The plan also talks about a study into the possibility of revising the income tax rates for couples buying their first property, and to revise the amount of VAT that could be refunded in such a case.

The MLP is also proposing a scheme through which youths who are self-employed would be exempt from paying national insurance contribution in the first two years after they set up their business.

Another proposal regards the setting up of a national fund, to ensure workers could be retrained so that their skills would match what's in demand in the labour market.

The document, which also mentions sports and Gozitan youths, will be discussed internally, and with interested organisations, before it is adopted at a general conference by the party.

The document was launched by Labour leader Alfred Sant in the presence of MPs Justyne Caruana, Carmelo Abela and Joe Mizzi.