This month we have marked three years since the confirmation of the Labour party for a second consecutive legislature.

It was in this context that, in the past weeks, I held a press conference where we announced that 76% of the electoral manifesto has been tackled; only 36 months since the start of the new legislature. The cumulative percentage brings together pledges that were fully implemented and others that have advanced substantially toward completion.

It’s an honour for my team and I to be entrusted by Prime Minister Robert Abela with the work to co-ordinate the monitoring of the process whereby these commitments are turned into reality.

This work includes continuous discussions with all Ministries in order to evaluate the stages of completion of hundreds of pledges, ranging from actual infrastructural projects to new laws, new incentives and rights.

We follow closely the predetermined timeframes for each and every measure via monthly reports. Through the tailormade IT system, built in order to gauge completion rates, we can assess if the efforts are keeping with the desired timelines. In case of measures that start falling behind, my team and I intervene with the ministry in question in order to assist in unblocking situations and spearheading improvements.

During the last four months since I was entrusted with this responsibility, we have achieved a rate of improvement of at least 8%.

The start of this 3rd year in office is indeed a good time to remind ourselves of the milestones we achieved over the last 36 months across all streams of life. They were three years whereby we have seen that social commitment remains a major priority for Government.

This was evidenced by the enactment of measures that increased purchasing power and enhanced standards of living all around. These included a refund of tax on income for all employees, an increased and non-taxable minimum wage and higher pensions for the first time in over 20 years. The Government has also strengthened incentives for first-time and secondtime property buyers. Not to mention the new scheme on interest free loans for deposits for home buyers that has just been announced. For the benefit of those renting property, the Government introduced legislation aimed at providing a fair and regulated relationship between tenants and landlords.

We had also promised new buildings for those in need of an accommodation but who do not have the necessary means to acquire property. As we speak, works are ongoing to make at least 1,700 apartments available, approximately 600 apartments more than originally planned. This while new lifts and renovation works are taking place across our housing estates.

Education retains its special place at the heart of the Government’s endeavours: educators have benefited from a wage increase which was significantly higher than any other raise under previous administrations. The Government has also intervened in order to improve parent’s bottom line via free school transport for all, reduced uniform prices, and removal of fees for Matsec and Sec exams.

Notwithstanding claims from the Opposition that Malta could not afford free universal healthcare, this has not only been ascertained but we have improved heart care services, breast cancer and prostate screening; expanded the list of free medicines, extended primary health care services in Ħal Kirkop and soon enough in Paola; while improving services for couples making use of IVF procedures.

Government’s commitment to Gozo was made evident through varied strategic projects, including the opening of a depot for farmers and the opening of the prestigious Barts Medical School which is now a new home to scores of foreign students. The Labour Government has defended its vision for the construction of the tunnel linking Malta and Gozo, not just with studies and research but with an international call for expressions of interest for works on the infrastructure. Touching on the latter, even the most avid critic cannot deny that Malta is experiencing a complete revitalisation of our public infrastructure via an unprecedented investment of €700M to build and fix roads all over Malta and Gozo in the span of 7 years.

Labour gained a reputation of being a truly reformist government in its first iteration of 2013 and we are also following suit in this legislature via the introduction of marriage equality, VOTE16, and the possibility of cremation which is now regulated by law.

In our second term we have also moved to allow high-level appointments to be scrutinised by Parliament, established a code of ethics for Parliamentarians - enforced through the appointment of a Commissioner for Standards, separated the powers in the Attorney General’s office and the reformed the process of appointment of the Police Commissioner.

While other pledges have advanced substantially, others still have to reach fruition in the next months. However, we shall remain committed towards implementing the full Electoral Manifesto, so as to make a difference in the lives of people and improve the quality of life for Maltese and Gozitans.

Carmelo Abela is a Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister