People are still incredulously sifting through the Budget 2023 details as they discover how it affects their lives and what direction it gives them. They do so with a keen sense of positivity, fully aware there are no new taxes, no new burdens and no hidden traps in what is a Budget for the future of a nation that while it has gone through a pandemic and continues to feel the impact from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent energy crisis, it is still looking ahead in a significant state of economic readiness. We're not saying it, established European and international institutions and agencies are.
Based on the credible platform of certainty and stability, the Budget reaps all that has been garnered in the past few years to make sure the resulting harvest serves as a springboard to better things and better opportunities. This "only way up" does not concern the general populace only, but also several niches and communities in our society - from persons with disabilities and the vulnerable among us to hard-working voluntary organisations and consumers - that deserve even bigger attention if we truly seek to make sure our economic success is reflected on their special needs and aspirations.
The Budget provides a momentous upgrade, for example, in grants and allowances to persons with disabilities, their parents and guardians. Persons who serve as carers to disabled children will get a grant increase from €500 to €4,500 annually, while €4.2 million have been earmarked to provide personal assistance to disabled persons. An annual €200 tax credit for every disabled child in the family is included, plus a 20% subsidy for the purchase of new vehicles or second-hand ones for wheelchair-bound persons; and a 10% subsidy for the purchase of modified second-hand cars that provide better access and independence to the person with a disability.
It doesn't stop there, of course. I am happy to confirm two major banks will be joining the New Hope Guarantee scheme and we are negotiating with other prospective participants. Another milestone is the elimination of the old abhorrent means test for persons with disabilities. Those who suffer from the coeliac condition will get an increase of €20 to the €45 monthly they already get. Add to these the provision of medicnes to persons suffering from multiple sclerosis, the centralisation of all CDAU and CYPS services in one state-of-the-art centre, and a massive increase from €9.90 weekly to €174.80 weekly for persons suffering from Severe Disability.
Other striking increases announced in the Budget for next year cover cases of Severe Disability Assistance (from €6.60 to €116.12 weekly) and Disability Assistance (from €6.60 to €90.59 weekly).
Two other fields in my Ministry's portfolio, voluntary organisations and consumer affairs, are not consigned to the sideline. The Voluntary sector will continue to find support and improved sundry services within the established one-stop-shop, while the Consumer sector will not only see the further strengthening of consumer rights but, as promised in the Electoral Manifesto of just eight months ago, the maximum amount that can be claimed is being increased to €5,000.
These proposals are the fruit borne out of much dedicated work carried out in collaboration with all stakeholders in the disability, voluntary and consumer sectors. They certainly form an impressive list which indicates a better future beckoning for the most vulnerable in Maltese and Gozitan society. Electoral promises and commitments are being realised at an unwavering rate and at a time when others are freezing theirs.
The principles of justice, fairness and equality epitomise these Budget proposals as Malta and the Maltese look forward to an even better future. This sense of positivity is the culmination of sheer hard work, kept promises and a strong and convincing economic policy in which the word austerity does not feature.