We have all been hearing a lot of figures and numbers about the Budget for 2012 but can we really allow facts to be twisted?

A case in point is the budget allocated for a sports college by the government for 2012. Last November, we all heard the Finance Minister stating that the budget for a sports college for 2012 would be €100,000; this fund had never existed before. So, actually, there is not going to be a reduction of €30,000 because the €70,000 allocated for a sports college is a new initative.

The budgetery allocation for local councils is another case in point. While the opposition is stating that the government will be reducing funds from this sector by €1 million, figures show that the money allocated for local councils will see an increase of €1.49 million compared to last year.

The sum of money allocated to the health sector will also see an increase over 2011. This year, the goverment will be increasing the conditions eligible for free medicines from 38 to 79. The goverment has also invested in a new medical procedure for patients with heart disease called trans aortic valve implementation, which will cost €25,000 per operation.

It would also be fair to note that a survey published by the National Statistics Office shows that the social spending in Malta is growing twice as fast as in the EU, standing at 52.3 per cent of the total expenditure.

The increase in children’s allowance, maternity leave and the €300 to the elderly aged over 80 years is proof that the government is investing more in the social sector.