Updated 1941 – Government announces budget for 2021
Minister of Finance Edward Scicluna is announcing the budget for 2021. Among the widely-anticipated measures, Government said that a new round of vouchers will be distributed to all population, while the wage guarantee has been extended until March 2021 without providing indications on whether other sectors of the economy.
The Cost of Living Adjustment, known as COLA, will be €1.75 per week, reflecting the low inflation rate experienced over the past 12 months. Scicluna said that the increase will be given to all employees, pensioners and people on social benefits. Students will also see the COLA increase reflected in their stipends.
The government will also be giving another tax refund allocation. This time round, the refund will be between €45 and €95. Upwards of 218,000 people will benefit from this measure, which will cost €16 million.
Government is estimating that GDP will contract by 7.4% in real terms this year before rebounding to 5% in 2021.
Updated- News Portal update
Times of Malta report that the Forum Unions Maltin said authorities should implement stronger COVID-19 measures, such as the temporary closure of establishments where people have to congregate indoors.
MaltaToday reports that the Minister for Justice is expected to present a motion and a Parliamentary Bill related to the extension in the retirement age of Judges and Magistrates.
TVM reports Infrastructure Malta has announced the opening of three new flyovers at the Marsa Junction Project.
Newsbook reports that the Nationalist party said government should leave the necessary decisions related to the coronavirus pandemic in the hands of the health authorities.
Updated 1232 – Covid Update
Health authorities reported 109 new cases of coronavirus in Malta in the past 24 hours, the sixth consecutive three-digit daily increase. With just six persons recovering during the same timeframe, Malta now counts 1,450 active cases.
The Health Ministry said that of yesterday’s 142 cases, it had managed to identify the source of 70 such infections, with the majority relating to family members of existing cases.
Updated 0817: Newspaper Review
The Independent quotes a Deloitte report which projects that an optimistic 30 percent decrease in English Language student arrivals this year would translate into a loss of €88 million to the national economy.
The Times publishes results from a Deloitte audit of the English Language Teaching industry which estimates that more than €1,300 jobs are at risk. The report says that, even with government assistance, around 640 jobs will likely be lost.
L-Orizzont quotes a report by the International Monetary Fund which finds that Malta has the lowest rate of unemployment in the euro area and predicts that the country’s economy will prove to be one of the most resilient in the EU.
In-Nazzjon covers an TV interview with PN Leader Bernard Grech who said the party is planning for a more diverse and high-quality economy. Grech said he wants to move away from population growth and strengthen the green economy.
The Times quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that today’s Budget includes measures that will leave some €100 million in people’s pockets. He said that the amount will be three times bigger than what the economy is used to.
L-Orizzont carries an announcement by Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the 2021 Budget will provide another round of the Covid-19 voucher scheme. Abela assured people that the pandemic is under control.
In-Nazzjon says that the Budget today will test the government’s readiness to translate words into action. The paper says that the country is facing uncertainty and expects a ‘serious plan’ for employment creation.
The Independent reports that 142 new Covid-19 infections were registered between Saturday and Sunday from just over 2,400 swab tests conducted, pushing the number of current active cases to 1,347.
L-Orizzont quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that the health system is prepared for the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases. The minister said that Mater Dei hospital is operating seven intensive care units, four of them specifically for coronavirus patients.
In-Nazzjon carries a statement by the Nationalist Party following the death of Opposition Representative Frederick Azzopardi on Saturday. The MP from Gozo who has been elected in every general election since 1998 was described by the party as a gentleman.
Morning Briefing
Budget 2021 to be announced this evening
Finance Minister Edward Scicluna will this evening deliver Government’s Budget for 2021, the first one under PM Robert Abela’s administration. “The budget will serve to bring courage, hope and reassurance, while incentivizing consumption,” Abela said during a political event.
Abela said that government’s contribution to social measures will triple, up from €35 million to €100 million, adding that the focus will be on the strengthening of the economy and the assurance of jobs. The Prime Minister said the budget will reflect the Government’s social soul, including through measures aimed at pensioners.
He also announced that government’s wage supplement will continue, while also declaring that people will receive another round of vouchers.
Covid-19 Update – President, Leader of the Opposition react
Malta registered 142 new Coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours. This brings the total of active cases to 1347. Over the past 124 hours there were 2404 swab tests and 52 recoveries. Since the start of the pandemic, 4628 cases were registered.
Malta’s Covid-19 reproduction number has from 1.18 to 1.52 in the past week, statistician Vincent Marmara has said.
The current situation in Malta with regards to COVID-19 is one of concern and is creating anxiety and worry in all sectors, President George Vella said on Sunday.
In a statement, the President said that he felt such a situation should lead to everyone toeing the same rope and offering full cooperation at all levels. “While it is good to criticise shortcomings in a constructive manner, it is also good to recommend good practice which had given encouraging results in other countries. However, nothing should hinder everyone’s collective effort in the fight against the virus.”
Health Superintendent being muzzled – PN
Malta’s COVID-19 situation is out of control because Prime Minister Robert Abela failed to take timely decisions, PN leader Bernard Grech said, adding he believes Superintendent Charmaine Gauci is not being allowed to take decisions.
Speaking on the Nationalist Party’s media on Sunday, Grech said Malta has growing number of new COVID-19 cases because Abela continues to sweep problems under the carpet.
“People are questioning how Abela is saying everything is under control. Had our prime minister been more responsible, our tourism industry would not have been in the dire situation it is in.
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