The PN published their pre-budget document which carried the theme of “the quality of life you deserve,” on Thursday.

The document was presented by the leader of the PN Bernard Grech and the spokesperson for Finance, Jerome Caruana Cilia.

This document addresses six pillars which carry over 340 proposals.

Caruana Cilia began by explaining that the public financial debt has increased significantly over the past ten years. Between 2012 and 2022 the debt increased by €2.24 billion which is an increase of 46.5%.

These pillars were, cost of living assistance, enhancing business development and growth, a better health service, supporting goals and ambitions, environment, and justice, good governance and peace of mind.

When talking about the cost of living assistance he said that the COLA mechanism for the budget 2023 should remain the same, however, moving forward there should be dialogue about this mechanism, as not to put too much pressure on employers.

For pensioners, the PN is proposing that the retail price index for the elderly should be given more importance. It also proposes a pension mechanism which would prevent elderly people from falling into poverty which would not distinguish between those who were born before 1962 and after.

For business development growth they focused on implementing proposals related to increasing digitalisation to improve efficiency.

There was also a large focus on tourism including proposals to make Malta the main driver for recreational diving and to enhance tourism in the South of Malta.

For improving the health service, Caruana Cilia mentioned addressing the waiting time particularly the 9,000 people waiting to do an MRI. The PN’s target would be to have no waiting time.

The document also focused on investing in mental health, and in sports and sportsmen.

Also, when talking about General Practitioners (GP) they proposed having more available GPs at policlinics available 24/7.

To support goals and ambitions the PN is proposing improving the measures introduced by the EU of the work life balance.

The document gave a lot of importance to education, the proposals focused on making the job of an educator a more prestigious job.

When talking about the environment by proposing more incentives for businesses to adopt Energy, Sustainability and Governance (ESG).

Moving forward, it also proposed a healthier development and planning authority system which would incentives more sustainable development. It is proposing that the government can act as a guarantee and the banks will offer lower interest rates on greener renovations.

With regards to justice, proposed more investment in Human Resources so that judiciaries will have more help to be more efficient. Also, proposals to implement a more digitalised system to reduce bureaucracy.

Grech said that this document was written up after consulting with experts and social partners to make sure that these proposals would affect everyone.

“We will not leave anyone behind,” he said.

Here he addressed the high cost of living which is negatively affecting the most vulnerable people in society.

“We cannot be content by giving people the minimum. We need a place where the quality of life is a the centre of our country,” he said.

To improve the quality of life he emphasised the importance of the environment. He said that this can no longer be a segregated discussion but it has to be an integral part of every discussion.

Grech addressed former deputy leader Robert Arrigo’s passing, and said how he was also involved in the consultation process as specialising in tourism.

Presenting the proposals was spokesperson for Finance, Jerome Caruana Cilia who began by giving his condolences to David Agius’s father, Twanny, and also to Arrigo.

He praised Arrigo for offering his contribution until the end. So much so, that Caruana Cilia said that there were around 60 proposals in this document about tourism which were influenced by Arrigo.