NGO Repubblika slammed the decision taken by the government to slash the funds of the office of the Standards Commissioner.

The cuts were announced in the budget last Monday.

The government is cutting the funds of this office – which keeps the government in check – by 40%, and it will be receiving less than it did in 2021, the NGO said.

We cannot believe that the government wants correct and ethical behaviour when it goes to such lengths, the NGO said.

Conversely, the government has increased by €10 million to keep up the “corrupt contract” with Vitals, the NGO added.

In the budget, the government said it will spend €700,000 to draw up a national strategy against fraud and corruption. This is less than the money spent by the government to carry out a mystery shopping exercise.