Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said that the 2023 Budget is a 'Budget in the red,' describing the government's plan as one which continues to increase debt.

Grech said that this Budget does not address the quality of life of the Maltese people, nor does the government know where it wants to take the country.

"There is no certainty or stability, this is a government with no solutions, and it gave us more of the same promises which were not fulfilled," Grech said, adding that government has not fulfilled a quarter of the previous promises.

Grech said that government said that it cannot control rising prices, and that inflation will continue to increase in the coming years. He said that Malta has a government which squanders and wastes money but is generous towards its friends.

"It is no wonder that the Budget suitcase was red," Grech said.

Grech continued that the country's debt, which has increased by a billion this year, will increase by another billion next year. He said that the Budget proposed no new economic sectors and made budget cuts on important investments such as tourism and the disciplined forces.

"Certainty and stability? Ask Air Malta workers," he said. Grech continued that on the education sector, the Budget proposed next to nothing.

He said that the Budget did not address problems of crime, higher cost of living, higher property prices and traffic. Grech said all these problems will remain.

He said that government will continue giving funds to Steward Healthcare, all the while cutting funds towards the Richmond Foundation's 24/7 mental health helpline.

Grech said that next Monday, he will present the PN's proposals for what the Budget should have addressed.