Next year's budget ensures stability and certainty, during uncertain and instable times currently being experienced at a global level, nonetheless throughout various member states of the European Union. For yet another year, it is focusing on people's quality of life, whilst also targeting specific pockets of our society including pensioners, students, and people with disabilities.
Amongst such targets, this budget consolidated the progress being achieved by our disciplined forces and their employees.
The Labour Government invested heavily in the human resources of the disciplined forces. In solving many of the injustices and compensating the officers for the work they did but never paid for, the Government also managed to achieve an unprecedent set of collective agreements that enhanced the conditions of work, with better salaries and conditions of work, to the officers of the disciplined forces. This budget is sustaining and building on such improvements.
Apart from all the capital investments within the disciplined forces, next year's budget is providing new incentives and level of protection that were never provided before. The Government is introducing a 23% increase in pension to all the officers that work an additional 4 years after completing their 25 years of service. This is an important decision by which the hard workers of the disciplined forces will be appreciated for their extra years of devoted service. Through this incentive, there will be a smoother transition of talent and expertise between the experienced officers with others that will be considered as new to the service.
Another crucial measure is the introduction of a 5-year pension to the widows of the in service employees. Up till today, if a member of a disciplined force dies, his or her widow, does not benefit of any service pension. This measure shall provide more of peace of mind to our disciplined forces, and their loved ones.
Community Policing service is currently provided in 76% of our localities. The introduction of this service led to positive results in various localities, whilst also contributing the recent spike in trust in the Malta Police Force. Our commitment is that this service shall be available across the whole country by the end of the year 2023.
The unprecedent investment in the disciplined forces shows our commitment to the security of the country, and those who work hard to make Malta safe, every day. Moreover, we are investing more than €13million in equipment and projects at the Armed Forces, €8million in the Civil Protection, €3million at the Correctional Services Agency and another €5million in the Police Force, excluding EU Funded projects.
The reforms and investment in our disciplined forces during the past years, led to better employee conditions, better equipment and a better service. This budget proves once again, the Government's commitment towards a more secure Malta and Gozo.