Gozo Shadow Minister Alex Borg has reacted to the 2025 national budget, saying that while it includes many measures that benefit people in the short term, it lacks a sustainable vision, particularly for Gozo.

Lovin Malta’s Ana Tortell spoke to Borg and gave her frank opinion on what was presented earlier this month, warning that if the government does not start seriously investing in a number of key sectors in Gozo – like health, education and business – the island will become “a retirement home”.

One of Borg’s main criticisms is that the final budget document excludes many measures proposed by Gozitan social partners during pre-budget meetings. He provided several examples of measures that could have been implemented in many sectors.

However, when asked which sector most desperately needed major investment, he answered decisively: “healthcare”.

Borg then highlighted the contradictions between Finance Minister Clyde Caruana’s budget and Health Minister Jo-Etienne Abela’s promises for a new general hospital in Gozo.

He explained that the reduction in capital expenditure for the Gozo General Hospital, as outlined in the recently unveiled budget, suggests that the completion of the first phase of the new hospital in the first three months of 2025 – as planned Abela said – seems unlikely. Furthermore, he stressed that no permit has been issued for this project and the government has not yet issued a call for tenders.

“I don’t know how possible it is for all of this to be achieved in the next five months.”

What do you think of the 2025 budget?