Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/885114
maltatoday, TUESDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2017 7 Budget 2018 €982,250,000 €890,382,000 €575,480,000 €521,810,000 €472,589,000 €314,905,000 €212,117,000 €106,140,000 €96,651,000 €86,123,000 €113,003,000 Out €4.37 billion Total expenditure Social security benefits Other Health Education Capital Social policy Army and police Pensions Environment Transport/infrastructure Social security benefits By far one of the largest outlays, social benefits are expected to increase by €41,520,000. This expense includes pension payments and other benefits. Other The myriad of government programmes and initiatives apart from those listed here will increase in line with inflation. Health Medicines and surgical materials will cost €104 million, an increase of €8 million. The concession agreements with Vitals Global Healthcare for the Gozo hospital and the Karin Grech rehabilitation centre come at a cost of €28,180,000 and €12,080,000 respectively. Education The halving of Matsec exam fees will cost public coffers €600,000 while the pilot project to put official records on blockchain will come at an expense of €563,000. The University of Malta will receive €76 million while Mcast will get €25,530,000. Teachers' wages will tot up to €180,517,000. Capital projects The largest chunk of this expenditure – €89,609,000 – is earmarked for the transport and infrastructure ministry, followed by the education sector that will get €58,220,000. Social policy Expenditure on non-contributory benefits is expected to increase by €26,700,000. Interest on public debt Interest payment on public debt still forms a substantial chunk of government expenses although there will be a minimal €3 million drop next year. Army and police The bulk of the expenditure on the forces of law and order is down to wages, which will increase with the statutory cost of living adjustment. Most other line items in the budgets for the army and police will remain unchanged next year. Pensions This expense covers pension payments to people covered by rules previously in force, including a €2,480,000 retirement allowance for members of parliament. Environment The environment ministry will see its budget increase by €28,223,000 in 2018. Transport/infrastructure The expense on the transport ministry listed here excludes the investment on capital projects but includes a €29 million public transport subsidy and a subvention of €13 million for Transport Malta. COMPILED BY KURT SANSONE