Physical education lessons will be extended in 2023 and there will be an established minimum number of PE lessons, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana announced on Monday.

Caruana said that there is already a pilot project underway where students have a daily PE lesson.

The government will see to it that the motorsports track in Ħal Far is completed by the end of this legislature.

The investment to turn the Marsa sports complex into a high-level sports hub will continue.

The government will also ensure that the Olympic size swimming pool at Cospicua and the new sports facilities at the former Maria Assunta school in Ħamrun will be completed by the end of the legislature.

Malta will step up preparations to host the 2023 Small Nations Games and UEFA Under-19 European Championships.

Works on the Gozo Aquatic Centre will continue throughout 2023.

The tax rebate for parents who send their children to sports, artistic and cultural activities will increase from €100 to €300.

 

Culture and history

During 2022, some 20 restoration projects were completed and another 25 are underway.

The coming years will see the completion of the restoration of the Grandmaster’s Palace while the restoration of bastions and churches will continue.

The government will invest heavily in the restoration of Villa Guardamangia, the only residence outside the UK in which Queen Elizabeth II had resided.

The government will also be issuing a tender worth €2.5m for the restoration of the aqueducts in Gozo.

This year, the government invested in the creative sector through various schemes, such as the Event Assurance Scheme and the Seat Utilisation Scheme. It also decreased income tax rates for artists.

For the first time ever, Malta will take part in the London Design Biennale, which will give exposure to the artistic and creative sectors. Malta will also take part in the 2024 Venice Biennale.

2023 will also see the completion of various projects at MICAS, including the galleries, the sculpture garden and the administration offices.