Unions and employers gave the Budget an average rating of seven when asked for their initial reaction soon after the Finance Minister delivered his speech in Parliament yesterday evening.

7/10

Josef Vella

UĦM

The 15 per cent tax rate on the police’s extra duty is a positive measure but we expect the government to look after soldiers in the Armed Forces as well –they are not even being paid for extra hours.

We’re glad the government took up our proposal of creating online templates of contracts – this will ensure less abuse by employers. The pension raise is also a good move which will help people on the poverty threshold.

The increase in excise duties of 3c on fuel will affect everyone indiscriminately.

7/10

Anton Borg

Chamber of Commerce

We are pleased to see assistance for low- income workers and initiatives for people to work. Two of our suggestions were included: fiscal consolidation and competitiveness.

Yet we are shocked at the introduction of excise duty on certain products without prior discussion, as we are with its introduction on fuel while there was little reduction in price.

Our recommendation for a reduction in electricity prices and fiscal incentives for research and development were ignored.

7/10

Abigail Psaila Mamo

GRTU

Overall, the Budget was well-balanced and there were a number of good incentives for businesses. We welcome the measures on training and human resources as well as those on traffic.

There were no shocks for businesses, but now we have to wait for timely implementation.

We were, however, very disappointed to note that our proposal on energy tariffs for small businesses being reduced by 30 per cent was ignored. Measures on the digital economy and how these could have an effect on market exports were also lacking.

8/10

Josef Bugeja

GWU

We were pleased to note that the government has once again committed to helping those who are most vulnerable. The measures announced were well-distributed, with those with a disability, pensioners, migrants and those employed precariously receiving much-needed help.

We also welcome the fixed tax rate of 15 per cent for police who work extra duties.

We did however expect more measures on manufacturing and added value.

Overall, we were very satisfied with the measures announced.

6/10

Kevin Bonello

FORUM

We expected something more concrete on tax evasion. We had suggested an enforcement agency similar to the Italian Guardia di Finanza to deal with financial crime.

Since the economy has improved, it is time to reverse the decision taken by the previous administration of eliminating public holidays falling on weekends.

Schools need help in terms of human resources and infrastructure.

The proposals surrounding a reduction in the income tax, paying half the wage of a live-in carer, the pension revision and the link to Gozo were good. But on the whole we were expecting something better.

NA

Joe Farrugia

MEA

The macroeconomic indicators are good. But the economy is showing signs of heating up – the government needs to address the shortage of labour. The traffic and transport situation also needs to be handled more concretely.

The measure incentivising people to continue to work for four years past retirement age is a good one, as are the tax credits for people who continue studying.

Regarding energy tariffs, part of the savings from the drop in energy prices should be diverted into alternative sources of energy. We can’t be prone to such volatile fluctuations in the international price of oil.

Budget rating: declined to give rating