The Government has increased the social investment by €100 million over a period of one year, making this social expenditure the largest one from year to year. During the year 2023, several social measures were also strengthened while new ones were implemented.
The massive investment on pensions has also led to this record increase, as in the last 10 years they have tripled the number of pensioners.
Compared to social expenditure, in 2013, the record allocation of one billion and almost five hundred million euros on social benefits, shows an increase of 90%, a jump of more than €705 million.
These details were announced by the Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights Michael Falzon during a news conference, in response to the latest statistics of the National Statistics Office, the NSO, which compared the last year’s social expenditure with that of the previous year.
“This is a clear testimony of how much this Government has always been, still is and remains the shield of all families and pensioners because it understands their needs and the social realities that can constantly expose them to some kind of vulnerability. A demonstration of a strong commitment to strengthen the social framework, after the drought of many years from past administrations,” stated Minister Michael Falzon
The Permanent Secretary within the Ministry Mark Musu said that the biggest increase was in those which are contributory benefits, paid on the person’s income. This is basically an insurance scheme that provides various benefits including those linked to pensions, unemployment benefit and sick leave.
The increases to all pensioners and the direct aids to families, the increases in the benefits of the children’s allowance, the In-Work Benefit, the Additional COLA Benefit and the Carers Grant, are among those the most benefits that led to this increase in investment.
