Caritas Malta Responds To Budget 2026

Caritas Malta welcomes Budget 2026 as a socially sensitive budget with significant interventions aimed at supporting Maltese families and promoting the value of children in society. While an increase in income alone does not necessarily lead families to have more children, the considerable reduction in taxes for parents is a positive step, sending a clear message about the importance of children in our communities.

The budget includes many positive measures. These include tax reductions for parents with two children, increased Children’s Allowance for low-income families, and enhanced family benefits, including support for households with members with disabilities. Investments in new mental health centres and inclusion hubs, as well as support for pensioners, show a strong commitment to social welfare. Schemes such as Equity Sharing, First Time Buyers, and Nikru biex Nassistu also provide meaningful assistance to families and individuals seeking stability. Additionally, increases in support for rehabilitation clients and extended social security contributions for program graduates promote reintegration and dignity. Caritas Malta also welcomes the public consultation on child protection from social media impacts, helping to create safer online environments for children.

Despite these positive steps, there remain areas that require further action. Caritas Malta continues to call for specialist “low-threshold” services for homeless individuals with severe mental health and substance dependency issues, as well as secure units for adolescents with risky behaviour as an alternative to prison or psychiatric care. Stronger enforcement of social and environmental protections, including cleaner air, sustainable transport, and reduced reliance on private vehicles, is still needed. Access to affordable housing and rental subsidies for middle-income earners who do not qualify for social housing remains a challenge. The organisation also stresses the importance of tackling substance abuse, illegal synthetic products, driving under the influence, environmental vandalism, and labor law violations.

In conclusion, Caritas Malta emphasises the need for continued action in areas where gaps remain. For Caritas, every initiative that strengthens families, communities, and the natural environment is a step towards greater quality of life and well-being, while collective efforts must also address threats posed by consumerist, materialist, and individualist attitudes, as well as ineffective enforcement of laws protecting society and the environment.

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