Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1176480
maltatoday | TUESDAY • 15 OCTOBER 2019 3 BUDGET 2020 MISCELLANEOUS Maltese spell-checker: €8 million investment to deploy spell-checker for the Maltese language across all operating systems. Adventure park in Cottonera. More free medicines added to the national formulary for heart disease, oncology, skin diseases, and rare diseases. Former Luqa landfill to be turned into sports ground, now earmarked for Valletta FC, and enterprise zone. In coming weeks, interested bidders will be given pre- qualification questionnaire on Malta-Gozo tunnel, to determine eligibility for tendering. FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR ELDERLY Free public transpot for people over 75... added to last year's free public transport for 16-20 year-olds will be extended to 14 and 15-year-olds, as well as those over 20 who are studying full-time, and for people with a disability. EDUCATION Grant to cover equipment for disabled people increases from €400 to €1,000. Pensions for disabled people who cannot work to increase from €150 a week, to €161 a week, matching minimum wage. Parents of children with rare diseases to be treated on same level as parents of childern with disability, and given the equivalent of eight years paid national insurance stamps. Patienst recognised as sufferers of ME (fibromyalgia) are to be given sickness benefits under No VAT on distance learning. Tablets to be distributed in pilot project, introduced in middle schools. A new primary school at Qawra to be opened in 2020. Water fountains to be installed in every government schools. New study on the weight of school bags. DISABLED AND SICKNESS BENEFIT strict oversight; sickness benefits for cancer and rare diseases, for example treatment for chemotherapy, will include government coverage of first three days of sick leave BABY BONUS Every child born or adopted in 2020 will benefit from a €300 bonus from the State CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVES €300 Government to present National Strategy aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 Waste to Energy project progressing and will lead to closure of Sant Antnin plant following success of organic waste separation programme as part of climate action strategy Changeover date to zero or low emission vehicles to be announced in 2020 as part of climate action strategy More charging points for electric vehicles and start of project to have charging pillars and alternative sources in fuel stations as part of climate action strategy Introduction of residential charging fee for zero and low emissions vehicles at €0.1298 as part of climate action strategy Malta Enterprise to incentivise contractors to invest in environment friendly machinery that decreases pollution by granting up to a maximum of €200,000 as part of climate action strategy Preparations to start for St Venera tunnel to be roofed and converted into a green open area in an urban centre as part of climate action strategy First phase of Ta' Qali National Park to start, doubling size of open area and including new National Archives as part of climate action strategy Programmes incentivising cleaner and more efficient use of energy, such as grants for PV panels and feed in tariffs, heat pump water heaters, solar water heaters and better insulation for residences to be rolled over as part of climate action strategy Grant to cover 25% of cost (€1,000 maximum) for battery to store electricity for those whole feed in tariff contract has expired as part of climate action strategy Programme to regenerate energy use in various public squares to start as part of climate action strategy €130m investment in water infrastructure and a further €30m in new recycled water network extension as part of climate action strategy €700m programme to upgrade all the road network to further accelerate in order to continue reducing congestion and emissions as part of climate action strategy All qualifying zero and low emission vehicles to continue being exempt from registration tax as part of climate action strategy Calls to be issued for concessions on sea connections for Cottonera, Marsaxlokk, Marsascala, St Paul's Bay, St Julian's, Mellieha, Sliema, Valletta as part of climate action strategy Young people and students to continue being provided free public transport as part of climate action strategy 75 year + to be grated free public transport as part of climate action strategy VAT refund up to €400, on bicycles, pedelecs and bicycle racks as part of climate action strategy Grants of up to €1,500 for scrapping of old vehicles and €200 for conversion to alternative fuels rolled over as part of climate action strategy Universal free school transport to continue as part of climate action strategy, with families saving an average of €700 per child Malta Stock Exchange to promote issue of Green Bonds as part of climate action strategy Green infrastructure with PV panels and public areas in industrial estates as part of climate action strategy Cruise liner industry to continue to grow and upgrades also with green perspective as part of climate action strategy Implementation of Gozo Decarbonisations Strategy with changeover of government vehicles to electric greening measures and smart parking as part of climate action strategy CIRCULAR ECONOMY Bottle and Container Return Scheme to start operating by year end and be functional in 2020 as part of strategy on single use plastics and circular economy Single use plastics to be banned from Malta. In a first phase, import an production of plastic bags, cutlery, straws, plates will be banned as from 1 January 2021, with their sale and distribution banned as from 1 January 2022 Shops to be given a grant covering 50% of expenses, up to a maximum of €3,000 to establish Green Corners, where products are sold by weight and customers bring their own containers as part of strategy on single use plastics and circular economy Introduction of drinking water fountains in schools as part of single use plastics strategy and circular economy