UĦM welcomes some budget measures but...

The decision to postpone the balanced budget target by two years and the launching of measures that "appeared" to be aimed at keeping the economy going were welcomed by the general secretary of the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin, Gejtu Vella.

Mr Vella said that, contrary to the discussions on the utility tariffs, the pre-budget consultation seemed to have been effective in drawing up the budget.

"Although the budget makes sense, given the international financial crisis, when the new water and electricity tariffs are taken into account it becomes one in bad taste," he said, adding that he could not ignore the manner in which the government had forged ahead with the tariffs, despite strong criticism by the social partners.

Mr Vella was pleased to see that various measures discussed by the social partners during the pre-budget consultation were "touched upon" in the budget. These included investment in infrastructure and education as well as the measures enticing women to return to work.

The UĦM welcomed the favourable alternative energy measures and said the income tax revision that widened the bands by a few hundred euro could ease the impact of the utility tariffs. However, he felt the tariffs remained a heavy a burden on families and industry.

"This budget gives all it can in the global financial situation but does not reach our aspirations," he said, adding that tomorrow the UĦM council will meet to draw up a more detailed analysis.