Rise in government spending

Total general government expenditure for 2006 went up by Lm33.7 million (€78.4 million) compared to the previous year, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

However, the share of total general government expenditure as a percentage of GDP slipped to 43.8 per cent, compared to 44.9 per cent in the previous year.

Expenditure on social protection and general public services added Lm20.4 million (€47.6 million) and Lm7.8 million (€18.2 million) respectively. These increases were brought about by additional outlays on social benefits in cash and the ICT Core Service Agreement.

Other increases were recorded under health, environment protection and education.

Expenditure under the economic affairs category declined by Lm8.6 million (€20 million).

The expenditure pattern is consistent along the years, with social protection making up more than 32.1 per cent of total expenditure in 2006.

During the same year, expenditure on recreation and culture made up 1.3 per cent of total expenditure.