Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1510683
13 maltatoday | TUESDAY • 31 OCTOBER 2023 BUDGET2024 Abela insists hospitals' running cost matches Steward's price, despite estimates A budget with no solutions to country's problems - Bernard Grech MATTHEW FARRUGIA PRIME Minister Robert Abela was una- ble to explain the significantly lower sum that government is projected to spend to run the Gozo General Hospital when com- pared to 2023's operational costs when the hospital was administered by Steward Healthcare. Government's budget estimates pub- lished on Monday show that while the cost of running the hospitals stood at €50,424,000 in 2023, this is expected to de- crease to €42,994,000 in 2024. Budget 2024 comes exactly one week after the Court of Appeal had dismissed Steward Health- care's appeal against the decision to annul the hospitals' privatisation deal. When asked about this, Abela stated that there are no discrepancies between the funds that were given to Steward and what government is spending to operate the hospitals in its stead. Abela insisted that one of the main problems between govern- ment and Steward was that the latter kept arguing that its operations were not viable against the price it was being paid. The Prime Minister was taking questions from reporters during a post-budget press conference. Asked about the presence of cartels in the Maltese economy, something the Finance Minister himself spoke about a few days ago, and the budget's lack of measures to address the situation, Abela limited him- self to saying these were unacceptable. Meanwhile, Clyde Caruana said these sit- uations are natural given the small nature of the Maltese economy but insisted the way to respond to this abuse was through dialogue which would lead to responsi- ble operators within the market to refrain from profiteering off international price rises. Abela stated that next year's budget was planned on the needs of the people, as he noted that Budget 2024 tackles the fami- lies' and workers' most difficult challenges. "This is a budget that attacks inflation and the rising cost of living," Abela said, listing a number of measures including the doubling of eligible individuals for the sec- ond COLA mechanism. Abela said next year's budget will be im- plemented in a difficult time, citing the wars in Ukraine and Israel as two major global challenges at the moment. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and health minister Chris Fearne said that Budget 2024 will affect everyone, includ- ing, the middle class, businesses, and stu- dents among other groups. Referring to specific measures, Fearne mentioned government's €500 and €1,000 bonus for every first and second child each family has, stating that this would help curb Malta's low fertility rate. On health, Fearne stated that this budget boasts the highest expenditure in the health sector, nearing €1.1 billion. The health minister said that government also looks forward to see how it will continue to develop the Gozo General Hospital, as well as St Luke's Hospital. The budget makes no plans for a new hospital in Gozo. Finance minister, Clyde Caruana said that contrary to other governments, this government is choosing not to let anyone drown in the face of unprecedented eco- nomic challenges by maintaining the hefty energy and fuel subsidies. KARL AZZOPARDI OPPOSITION leader Bernard Grech la- belled Budget 2024 as one without any solutions to the country's problems. "People are feeling the burden of over population, and Abela's government has insisted on the same economic model of low earners and cheap labour," he said Grech was delivering a short reaction fol- lowing Finance Minister Clyde Caruana's speech in parliament on Monday after- noon. He said the measures announced were the symptoms of a "tired governemnt" which does not have any solutions. He said the minister "forgot" about the health and education sectors, failing to in- clude any significant investments. "Government did not say anything about the €400 million it should be getting back after the courts annulled the hospitals deal," he said, making reference to the appeals court decision handed down on Monday. In a Facebook post posted to his person- al profile just after Caruana concluded his speech, Grech said the country deserves better. "Our country deserves better. Our vision is one of excellence for a better life. Our commitment is to strengthen our reputa- tion and integrity: We will fight corruption and restore trust in government institu- tions," he said. "We aim for Economic re- newal: Creating quality jobs and reducing dependence on population growth with- out a plan. We breathe new life into our economy and public finances." He insisted the PN's priority is to invest in people. "We will invest in education, the health sector, and clean energy," he said. In his first reaction, Opposition leader Bernard Grech says Budget 2024 is symptomatic of a 'tired government' which has no solutions