David Curmi – Chamber of Commerce

Good: The Chamber welcomes the efforts to rationalise the tax collection system and incentives for individuals and companies, which are conducive to productive work rather than reliance on social benefits.

Bad: More attention is needed to enhance national competitiveness and improve the ease of doing business in Malta.

Neutral: The economic data are generally encouraging but the government has to ensure there are no slippages in public finances, labour market policies and partnerships with the private sector.

Chris Attard – Forum

Good: We are happy to see the reduction in income tax to 25 per cent, the various measures to reduce tax evasion and the commitment to reduce dependency on social benefits, as well as the measures to improve education.

Bad: Forum expected to see more measures to address the waiting lists of people for homes for the elderly, more action to address the lack of beds at hospital, as well as more investment in primary health and community care.

Neutral: The Budget had a number of balanced measures for workers. However, there were a number of direct taxes that will inevitably impact their daily expenses. This must be studied and a position would be premature.

Josef Vella – UĦM

Good: I was very pleased about the work benefit proposal, which will increase the gap between social benefits and revenue from labour.

Bad: The Private Public Partnerships and measures on cooperatives were promised last year but nothing came of them. We would have expected consultation on something like a PPP in health.

Neutral: I have a neutral position on the economic and deficit targets as the results will be seen at the end of the following year, not next year. I hope that targets will be reached but we will have to wait and see.

Abigail Psaila Mamo – GRTU

Good: We welcome the commitment to rid business of the unfair eco-contribution but are cautious because we did the same last year and no results were achieved.

Bad: We requested the reversal of last year’s drastic increases in licences for commercial vehicles but this was not taken up. They were introduced without consultation or an economic impact assessment.

Neutral: It transpires that further increases might be foreseen. These will affect enterprises’ competitiveness very badly and we will immediately address the issue.

Joe Farrugia – MEA

Good: We welcome cuts in energy rates for industry but it is important to position them at a level that makes local enterprises competitive. The reform of the eco-tax is a step forward.

Bad: We cannot understand the rationale behind taxing wine. The in-work benefit will incentivise workforce participation but will it disincentivise some employees from working overtime so as not to lose the benefit?

Neutral: It will be a challenge to reach fiscal and economic targets, given the expenditure projections. Growth-friendly consolidation depends on critical decisions in public transport, Air Malta and energy.

Tony Zarb – GWU

Good: I was very happy to see that the government is continuing to commit itself on the eradication of precarious employment, something on which the GWU has campaigned for a long time.

Bad: I would like to look into the indirect taxes introduced in this budget such as the increases in the price of cigarettes, wine and insurance premiums. We have to see how this will impact the cost of living.

Neutral: I noted the government’s effort to make work pay and incentivise people to join the labour market and its efforts to give people who really want to work the opportunity to do so.