Prime Minister Robert Abela hailed the 2021 budget as 'the best in the country's history'.
Robert Abela said that, faced with an economic crisis, the government did not hold back or introduce austerity measures.
"We presented the best budget in the country's history, with measures that leave funds in people's pocket, three times more than in the surplus budgets."
"We gave more than we promised," he said
He said that a PN government faced with a 'smaller' international crisis (referring to the 2008 financial crisis) than the country is facing today, "backtracked on its pledge to reduce income tax. We not only gave the tax refunds we promised, but increased them by more than a third than we had promised."
He said that the budget does not include any new taxes. "With us, you know where you stand."
"In the past budgets, the government gave to the people, but we also remained careful, and that led to us being able to give more during the current situation."
He spoke about the measures introduced, and explained what they will mean for people.
Parents of two children, through the increases in the in-work benefit, the vouchers and other measures, will benefit from €880 through the budget.
He addressed pensioners. He said that a couple on the minimum pension were, through this budget, will benefit from €770.
The Prime Minister said that the middle class were not forgotten in the budget.
He called the government 'pro market' and spoke about measures to help businesses, including the continuation of the Covid-19 wage supplement as an example.
"This is a budget where we did not look at just dealing with the present issues, but we looked ahead. The people are proud with our country's success throughout this pandemic."
He reiterated the government's promise to be among the first countries to receive the vaccine for Covid-19.
Abela spoke of the need to find a better balance with the environment and highlighted the aim to make Malta carbon neutral by 2050. He said that the government is committed to change the country, and mentioned the measure to stop the importation of single-use plastics as proof of this.
Responding to questions, The Prime Minister said that it is untrue that the tourism sector will not recuperate next year, adding that the Covid-19 vaccine will be a game changer when it is made available and the news the government is hearing on this matter is positive. "When we have the vaccine available, that step will change many of today's circumstances."
Turning to Moneyval, he said that 58 of their recommendations were implemented, adding that the government worked in a clinical manner to be compliant with the recommendations, but not put spokes in the wheels of the economy. He said that he is convinced that Malta will pass both through the Moneyval and FATF tests.
The Prime Minister was asked about the budget measure proposing a compensation fund which will be introduced for the first time regarding the construction sector. "The concept was announced but the details are being discussed. He mentioned the Sta Venera house collapse, and that the government intervened to help the residents have a roof over their head. He said that such a fund can help in such a situation.
On the Wage supplement changes, he said that the government is currently collecting information, including VAT returns to see what impact there was on businesses, "and one will adjust the wage supplement accordingly." He said that sectors which were in need but were left out might be identified, and did not exclude giving a lump sum retroactively for what those businesses lost.