Prime Minister Robert Abela on Monday announced a series of new electoral pledges focused on children's health, sports participation, and support for elite athletes during a Labour Party event in Santa Venera.
Addressing concerns about rising childhood obesity, Abela announced plans to introduce a nationwide BMI screening programme in schools. The initiative aims to identify children who are overweight at an early stage. Those found to be at risk of obesity would be referred to dietitians, who would work closely with parents to design tailored weight management programmes combining dietary guidance and physical activity.
In a bid to encourage greater participation in extracurricular activities, Abela also pledged an increase in tax refunds for parents. The refund will rise by an additional €100, bringing the total annual benefit to €400 for families who enrol their children in sports, artistic, or cultural activities outside school hours. The measure is intended to make such activities more affordable and accessible. The scheme will be expanded to cover children enrolled in football academies as well as other activities, including hybrid training.
Abela further announced that the government's free gym membership scheme will be expanded. The revised programme will include hybrid and functional training facilities, such as obstacle course gyms.
Support for elite athletes also featured prominently in the announcements. Under the new proposals, athletes representing Malta in international competitions will no longer be required to use their personal leave to compete. Instead, sports leave for elite athletes employed in the private sector will increase to 10 days when participating in championships organised by European or global associations or federations. This paid leave, funded by the government, will also extend to technical and medical team members accompanying the athletes.
During the event, Abela discussed wellbeing and what "quality of life" means to him. He said that quality of life means having the time to enjoy personal interests and be with loved ones, emphasising the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and allowing individuals time to rest and recharge. Abela highlighted Labour's earlier commitment to introduce a wellbeing index, saying it reflects the party's goal of enhancing the quality of life for Maltese families.
Abela made reference to the Labour Party's electoral proposals that were announced Monday morning. Central among the proposals was a €1,000 annual bonus for workers, with a minimum €500 pro-rata payment for some part-time employees, extending to workers, the self-employed, pensioners, and students who meet residency criteria.
The pledges also include increased support for families, with children's allowance rising by at least €250 per child for households earning under €40,000, alongside enhancements to in-work benefits that add €150 per child and a further €100 for single-income couples.
Abela also reiterated that small businesses would benefit from a reduced corporate tax rate of 25% for companies with turnover below €1 million that employ people locally, while changes to social housing support would ensure benefits taper off gradually rather than being abruptly withdrawn as incomes increase.
The Prime Minister further pointed to measures introduced during the legislature, including tax cuts, which he said had helped support households and raise living standards.
During the event, Clint Azzopardi Flores announced his intention to contest the election in the 2nd and 9th districts. The economist had previously run on the Labour Party ticket in the 2024 European Parliament elections.