This publishing house has already given its views and analyses of Budget 2015. We believe that the budget was a positive one and the government is on track to achieve its objectives.

However, what we do question is the length of the speech and what it means to the ordinary public. Finance Minister Edward Scicluna's speech was three hours and 50 minutes long. For the media, it posed problems, especially in terms of reporting the whole affair. But we have to ask, is the budget that relevant any more?

People used to follow the budget when Malta was a different world, in an era of price fixing and restrictions on import licences. Things have changed dramatically since then. Successive governments, this one included, have moved away from a centralised economy to a liberalised market which pretty much turns itself and the national economy over.

What people want to know in the budget in today's day and age is the measures that will be taken to improve their lot in terms of social measures, financial measures (such as income tax) and the various national projects that the government has in mind for the country in the future.

To put it into context, the UK's budget speech lasted about 30 minutes. The sheer length of the speech caused most people to lose interest and tune out anyway. When we think that we live in a world where post-budget press conferences are beamed out live anyway, one cannot really understand why it had to be so long.

If anything, the Budget Document itself should have been the lengthy part with the Minister only giving a light speech to help drive home the government's vision. This is not meant at criticising the government or the minister in the delivery. It is just meant to point out that such depth and profound speeches are out of touch, and quite frankly, needless.

This publishing house reiterates that the budget itself was a welcome exercise in housekeeping and going round the system to plug the holes, cut out abuse and offer support to those who need it. Next week, the two leaders will deliver their speeches and both will be lengthy exercises in scrutiny and explanation, which further reinforces the approach that the budget speech need not have been as long as it was. Following the leader's speeches, the House will debate the measures for 2015 and subsequently a vote will be taken in parliament. By that time, the House will be set to rise for Christmas, and we hope, that at some point, the Government will announce its plan for the gas fired power station.