A positive and feasible budget former finance ministers say

Former finance minister Lino Spiteri, who served under various Labour administrations led by Mintoff, Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici and Alfred Sant described the 2014 Budget as positive.

"I consider this to be a positive budget containing a large number or micro measures, which taken together will offer a substantial positive impact. In other words, they should stimulate employment and growth."

Asked by Sunday newspaper Illum whether this budget was too good to be true, Spiteri said "this is not true, since all the measures are feasible. These are 'can do, will do' measures."

Lino Spiteri said that he was pleasantly surprised by the measure to remove stamp duty on property inherited by disabled persons. However, he went further and said that "I hope that the next budget will give priority to the construction of homes for the disabled."

John Dalli, a former PN leadership contender and long time finance minister said that this was a wide ranging budget. "It comprises several concrete measures as regards to incentives that will entice individuals who want to enter employment and even start a new job."

"Naturally, the social measures in this budget are very positive. The reduction in energy tariffs is also very positive. This is not merely a reduction in the electricity bills, but it will generate a multiplier effect. The fact that people will have more money in their pockets, will encouraged them to consume and invest. This will generate growth," Dalli said.

Read the full article in today's edition of Illum.