This was quite a balanced Budget overall, William Portelli, president of the Malta Union of Bank Employees and of the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions, said. The government has taken into consideration all the goals and measures to raise the employment rate.

The government has introduced measures which aim for a solid level of education as well as made further efforts for more investment in the education sector, he said.

The decision for increased competition and better deficit control is very satisfactory.

However in order to complement the measures taken in favour of the family, we have to do our utmost to ensure price stability so that once the euro is introduced in Malta, it will have a positive effect.

The CMTU and its affiliates are pleased that the government has paid attention to their proposals which encourage further purchasing power of families.