Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1300699
5 maltatoday | TUESDAY • 20 OCTOBER 2020 BUDGET2021 €1,897,540,000 €792,817,000 €758,174,000 €704,349,000 €195,645,000 €51,734,000 Out €5.9 billion Total expenditure COMPILED BY KURT SANSONE Social Solidarity The government's biggest spender will foot a bill of €1.9 billion for various social benefits, programmes and pensions. Expenditure on children's allowance will cost the country €44 million, an increase of more than €2 million. The in-work benefit for the neediest will cost €9 million, an increase of €3.5 million. The country will spend €37 million more in retirement pensions. Capital investment Expenditure on capital projects is forecast to top €793 million in 2021 with government continuing with its major electoral pledge to invest in road projects. The capital projects fund for Gozo is €22 million, including €3 million allocated for the aquatic centre. Health The health ministry has a wage bill of €331 million. Mental health services will have a budget of €55 million, an increase of more than €8 million. Medicines and surgical materials will cost €134 million. A budget of €600,000 has been allocated for a new National Poison Centre. Others President/Ombudsman/NAO/ Standards Commissioner €10.4m Parliament €10.4m OPM €60m Energy Ministry €106m Foreign and EU Affairs Ministry €52.9m Finance Ministry €350.9m Tourism Ministry €164.8m Home Affairs Ministry €210m National Heritage and Local Government Ministry €104m Justice, Culture and Equality €40m Environment Ministry €74.7m Transport and Infrastructure Ministry €117.9m Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry €32m Social Accommodation Ministry €28.9m Interest on public debt €189.8m Education Wages in the education sector will cost €277 million. The spend on children's breakfast club will double to €1 million. Church schools will receive €112.5 million and €5.2 million have been allocated for private schools. No increase in the students' maintenance grants. Economy Pandemic assistance schemes will have a budget of €120 million, while €50 million in vouchers will be distributed to every person aged 16 and over to stimulate consumption. Gozo Expenditure on residential services for older people will increase to €4 million from €3 million. The Wild Birds Regulation Unit, which falls under this ministry will see its budget increase to €600,000 from €500,000. The Gozo Regional Development Authority will get €400,000.