The shortfall between the government's recurrent revenue and total expenditure in the first four months of the year amounted to €232.2 million, an increase of €90.4 million compared to the same period last year.
The National Statistics Office said the increase in recurrent revenue of €25 million was outweighed by a rise in total expenditure of €115.5 million, widening the government deficit.
Between January and April, recurrent revenue stood at €748.7 million, a rise of 3.5 per cent over last year. The main contributors were Income Tax (+€40.8 million), Social Security (+€10.1 million) and Value Added Tax (+€6 million).
These were partly offset by a decline in proceeds from Customs and Excise Duties (-€11.3 million), Miscellaneous Receipts (-€8.2 million) and the Central Bank of Malta (-€6 million).
Compared to 2011, total expenditure was recorded at €980.9 million, up by 13.3 per cent, resulting from higher outlays on recurrent and capital expenditures.
Recurrent expenditure increased by €80.3 million, due to higher outlays on Programmes and
Initiatives mainly in social security benefits (+€25.1 million), EU Own Resources (+€6.6 million), medicines and surgical materials (+€6.1 million), social security state contributions (+€4.1 million), which also feature as revenue, assistance to help the elderly live independently (+€3.4 million), public service obligations (+€2.9 million) and electoral activities (+€2 million).
Added expenditure was also recorded in Contributions to Government Entities (+€12.7 million), Personal Emoluments (+€5.9 million), and Operational and Maintenance Expenditure (+€5 million).
In addition, government's capital expenditure for the period under review reached €107.2 million.
The comparative increase of €37.3 million was mainly the result of an equity injection of €20 million to the national air carrier. Other expenditures on capital projects included an increase in EU funds related to the Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Communication (+€7.5 million) and the Office of the Prime Minister (+€1.8 million).
Higher outlays were also recorded in investment incentives (+€2.8 million) and in the acquisition of property for public purpose (+€1.6 million).
Conversely, the interest component of the public debt servicing costs for the period under review declined by €2.2 million.
At the end of April, Central Government debt stood at €4,676.1 million, up by €388.8 million, or 9.1 per cent, over the corresponding period last year.
This increase was the result of higher long-term borrowing, which added €610.8 million. On the other hand, short-term securities and foreign borrowing declined by €165.3 million and €13 million, respectively.
Moreover, as a result of consolidation, higher holdings by government funds in MGSs resulted in a reduction of €48 million in government debt.