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Budget 2025: Will the widening of tax bands make up for the exploding cost of living? - Pre-1962 born pensioners severely short changed

Following the blatant and consistent violation of Maltese broadcasting law by the government in the past days, today is budget day.The extension of the tax bands is a positive contribution to working persons and families, since this will leave an average of around 450 euros a year in working people's pockets. So is the 250 euro increase in children's allowance per child.However, with the price of staple food, fruit and vegetables rising every week, as well as the price of housing, I have strong doubts whether these 450 euros circa per person will actually be enough to make up for all this.Moreover, taxing the measly 5.25 euro COLA rise for the ever increasing cost of living supplement will take its toll on the most vulnerable sectors of society.What is more, Maltese pensioners, who have also to contend with the phenomenal prices of essential medicines when compared to other countries, will not benefit from the widening of tax brackets at all. The ridiculous increase of 2.75 euros a week for all pensioners is an insult to this section of society.The pre-1962 born pensioners are even more hard hit since around 26,000 pensioners, despite the 11.25 euro to reduce the gap, will be receiving 61 euros less a week pension than post-1962 born ones in 2025, whilst other scores of thousands pre-1962 born pensioners are not receiving a single euro to make up for the shortfall.The Maltese state is continuing to "steal" two years worth of pension contributions from all those who paid their sociial security contributions between the age of 16 and 18.And, to add insult to injury, all those born after 1976 will have to pay an extra year of National Insurance to get a full pension. While it is commendable that the Enhanced Severe Disability Supplement will increase by €7.42 per week to €199.61, the 5 euros a week increase in disability grant could have been more.Also positive is the new measure that will benefit individuals caring for two family members with high or medium dependency. These carers, who previously received only a single rate of Carer's Allowance or Enhanced Carer's Allowance, will now receive 1.5 times the standard benefit rate they are entitled to.On the other hand, two million euros for local film production is a pittance.The fact that collective agreements for government employees have been finalised before the older ones have expired is a positive element. This is the way it should aways be, unlike the shameful way the MCAST staff and government teachers have been treated till now. Announcing the yearly mythology of phantom projects, like the new Gozo courts, the thousands of electric car charging points, the Floriana and San Gwann majestic gardens or the St. Venera roofing, has become tiring and boring. What is sure is that the promised new hospital for mental health and the polyclinic for the north of Malta have disappeared off the radar.The old medical school has been "stolen" from our medical students and the new promised one is just wishful thinking.In conclusion, the big questions are: Will the widening of tax bands make up for the exploding cost of living? And where is the quality of life the budget speaks about? Will children enjoy the natural right of being able to sleep till 6.45 am?Will traffic jams disappear on 1st January? Will the construction mayhem stop? Will we start breathing clean air on 1st January 2025? My fear is that the answer will be....no.Arnold Cassola ... See MoreSee Less

The Times reports that last August 4 male police officers forced open a Marsa penthouse door ripping it out of its place.

They had no arrest warrant.The officers marched a topless sleeping woman from her bed, turned her facing the wall and forcefully secured her hands with tie clips. They then dumped her on a chair and left her bare-chested.Later on the police discovered they had raided the wrong place.Did Angelo Gafà apologise and compensate? Not at all.Anzi, not only was the corps unwilling to shoulder responsibility for the “deplorable” incident, but they insisted “nothing irregular” had been committed. This arrogance is unbearable. Gafà must be kicked out.....illum qabel għada. ... See MoreSee Less

Terry Bencini...she leaves us too

A Sliema Rudolph Street neighbour. And who knows how many times she was compering the show, when I was a child singer. Malta loses an artist. RIP. ... See MoreSee Less