“Families Were Prioritised, But Real Change Needs Vision” – Darren Carabott on Budget 2026

Following the presentation of the 2026 Budget by the Labour Government in Parliament, Nationalist Party MP Darren Carabott shared his reaction in an exclusive interview with Malta Daily, noting that while the Budget includes several good measures, it falls short of offering a clear long-term vision for Malta’s future.

“It’s a Budget with many good measures,” Carabott said, “but what’s missing is a stronger long-term vision. It shouldn’t just be about what needs fixing today, but where we want our country to be years from now.”

The Opposition MP acknowledged that many of the initiatives announced are positive, particularly those in support of Maltese families and children.

“There are a lot of good measures for families, especially those who have children — that’s definitely a positive step,” he said. “However, there are some aspects that were left out or feel less tangible. Still, overall, there were proposals that deserve to be welcomed, even if some could have come earlier.”

Carabott highlighted several measures he found particularly encouraging, including the government’s focus on family support, initiatives addressing domestic violence, and the creation of a 24-hour animal hospital, which he described as “long overdue and very welcome.”

“The domestic violence proposal was one I appreciated a lot,” he explained. “It’s something that gives a voice to victims and pushes this issue forward. And personally, I was glad to see the announcement of a 24-hour animal hospital — that’s something I’ve been hoping to see for years.”

However, Carabott also expressed concern about the way certain measures were presented, particularly the suggestion that new family-related incentives would significantly ease the burden of housing loans.

“At one point, the Minister gave the impression that with these new measures, families would be able to pay off most, if not all, of their home loans,” he said. “Maybe it’s because of where I am in life right now, but that statement struck me. It felt like an emotional promise that doesn’t reflect reality. It’s misleading to give people that kind of false hope.”

Carabott concluded by emphasising the need for realistic, future-oriented planning, rather than what he described as short-term emotional incentives designed to create temporary feel-good moments.

“It’s not about criticising for the sake of it,” he added. “We should be building policies that prepare us for tomorrow, not just patching up today.”

#MaltaDaily

Photo Credit: DOI – Alan Saliba