Minister for Finance Edward Scicluna will be presenting the government budget for the year 2017 on October 17.

The theme for this year's budget is 'Prosperity with Social Justice'. This is the second time that Malta's budget will be presented in October, instead of November which was the norm for previous years. Profs Scicluna said this to PBS following a business breakfast held this morning.

Professor Scicluna had said that expectations rose as the economy grew and the government was facing pressures over how to spend its money. The Minister said the government wants to ensure a fair distribution of wealth. It also wants to resolve certain issues, like pensions for port workers and Sea Malta employees, once and for all.

By the end of 2015, the government's deficit was below the EU average and the governmet hopes this result is maintained throughout the next year.