The National Youth Council has issued a review of the proposed Budget for 2018, paying particular attention to the positive points illustrated in both the Budget Speech, presented last week by Hon. Prof Edward Scicluna as well as the publication of the Budget 2018 document itself.
In its review, the Council pays particular attention to the proposals which will or can directly affect youth, some of which include, the extension of the first time buyer scheme and the introduction of a scheme to help second time buyers, MATSEC examination prices reduced by half and the proposed additional financial support to be given to students in apprenticships. KNZ also notes that some of the proposals it put forward as a Council, have been effectively implemented within the Budget itself.
The National Youth Council states that overall this Budget has been a rather positive one, however, it is of the opinion that not enough strong and effective remedies have been proposed so as to try and decrease the continuous problem of traffic in Malta. KNZ is also of the opinion that we need a clearer vision, politically, when it comes to recruiting new teachers in our education system. Moreover, the Council believes that there needs to be more emphasis on how to create new jobs and better investment in Gozo, particularly to be able to provide better oppotunities for Gozitan students.
Finally, KNZ expresses its eagerness to see all measures being implemented whilst promising its full cooperation in implementing those measures which are related to the youths it represents.