An increase in carer’s grant to help guardians of persons with disabilities

Oct 24 2022

Addressing the 2023 budget, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana revealed an increase to the Carer’s Grant, which will help parents and guardians who cannot work to care for their adult children who suffer from severe disabilities.

In 2021, the minister highlighted how the government had started to plan on a €300 benefit per year which will increase to €500 in 2022.

This was echoed in the electoral manifesto wherein the government pledged to increase this benefit to half the average national minimum wage.

In 2023, this benefit will be increasing from €500 to a bit more than €4,500 per year and will be issued every 3 months.

In 2023, the government will also be investing the sum of €4.2 million on the concept of personal assistants and independent community living to aid persons with disabilities. This will be the first step to finalise the reform of personal assistant by next year. This will come in line with the European Network for Independent Living.

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Vulnerable to receive COLA cheque by Christmas 2022

Oct 24 2022

Up to 80,000 people will be receiving a cheque around the time of Christmas 2022, forming part of a new COLA adjustment.

The aim of this measure is to help around 37,000 vulnerable families and individuals in Malta, with Finance Minister Clyde Caruana revealing that this measure will be available year after year following this one.

This is set to cost an average of €300 per recipient, whereas pensioners will also be benefitting significantly from this measure.

The amount of people benefitting from this measure will be based off the individual earnings as well as the number of people living in a single household. This will concern adults, children and spouses.

The whole measure will cost the government up to €11 million and aims to raise many people out of poverty.

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COLA will not be reduced: set to rise by €9.90

Oct 24 2022

Addressing the 2023 Budget, Minister Clyde Caruana revealed that despite the urging to reduce the cost of living adjustment, the government will not be doing so.

The Finance minister revealed that the government stood fast against this request as they want to send a message of solidarity with the workers and help them during the period of inflation.

‘As we help businesses with energy costs as well as COVID-19 induced costs, we will remain fair with all workers’ the Minister revealed.

As revealed prior to the budget, the rise in cost of living adjustment will be €9.90 per week. This raise will be given to all workers, pensioners and those on social benefits. Stipends will increase on a pro-rata basis.

The Minister revealed that the raise for pensioners on the island will be one of €12.50 per week including the COLA. This means pensioners will be getting a raise of €650 per year. This translates to €65 million in he pockets of 100,000 pensioner.

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WATCH: Minister Clyde Caruana paid for budget briefcase himself, TVM reveals

Oct 24 2022

Ahead of today’s Budget 2023 event, it was revealed that the brand new, notably red, Budget briefcase was paid for by Minister Clyde Caruana himself.

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In a broadcast by Television Malta, a number of facts regarding the briefcase were revealed. The red briefcase is a nod the Malta as a British colony, which also carries the Republic of Malta’s coat of arms. Inscribed on the front is ‘Minister for Finance’, with a verse from Malta’s national anthem inscribed on the back.

Traditionally, the briefcase is given to the Minister of Finance after his

tenure as a sign of appreciation for their work.

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