Labour pledges free Gozo ferry trips, but only for pedestrians
Robert Abela unveils another list of election pledges
The Labour Party will offer free Gozo ferry trips to all residents if re-elected into government, but only if they will be leaving their car behind.
Pedestrians looking to cross the Gozo Channel will be able to do so for free, while Gozitans who use the fast ferry for work or study purposes will have their annual grant increased to €800 from €650.
In a news conference on Wednesday, Robert Abela unveiled another list of election pledges targeted at students, property buyers and people with disabilities.
A Labour Party in government again would increase stipends by 15% and give a €1,000 grant to students who enrol in an Erasmus study trip.
Meanwhile young property buyers will not pay stamp duty on the first €300,000 in property value. This will be up from the existing €200,000 threshold.
The 10% deposit scheme will also be extended to properties valued up to €300,000, up from €250,000.
First-time buyers will also get a €1,200 refund to help cover notarial expenses.
Doubling the carers’ grant
In another pledge, the carers’ grant for people who look after people with disabilities will double, matching the minimum wage.
Parents of children with disabilities will also keep paying income tax at parent rates until the child is 23 years old.
On pensions, couples will be allowed to transfer up to five years of pension contributions between themselves.
Widows who forfeited their pensions in favour of a widows’ pension will also get a 20% increase.