• Widening of all income tax bands:
• For single declarations, non-taxable income rises by €350 to €8,500. Taxation at 25 per cent and 35 per cent kicks in at higher income levels - €500 higher in both cases.
• For joint declarations, non-taxable income rises by €500 to €11,900. Taxation at 25 per cent and 35 per cent kicks in at higher income levels - €700 higher in both cases.
• A year tax break, for every child under 16, for mothers returning to work after a five-year absence.
• A year tax break, for every child born from 2007, for working mothers or those who return to work before five years have gone by. transport
• A registration tax on new cars based on CO2 and particulate matter emissions, and length.
• On imported second-hand cars, the tax will be based on market value.
• Removal of VAT on registration tax.
• Higher annual licence, linked to emissions levels, for vehicles falling under the new scheme.
• Owners of cars bought in 2008 may choose whether to fall under the new or old system. For those who choose the former, registration tax will be credited against licence fees.
• Licence fee for commercial vehicles to rise to €185.
• Totally new public bus fleet by 2010.
• Better bus stops.
• Liberalised taxis, coaches and mini-buses to provide better service.
Business
• Penalties for late payment of income tax and VAT to be reduced from 12 to nine per cent.
• Grants and other assistance for companies, including small start-ups, engaging in research, development and innovation, as well as to encourage the use of IT in business operations.
• Upgrading of industrial zones, starting with Ħal Far next year.
• Aid to penetrate new markets and increase trade missions.
• Lighter burden of regulation and financial reporting standards for small companies.
• Clampdown on illegal practices that undermine law-abiding enterprise.
• Support for Maltese design initiatives.
Health
• Breast cancer medication Herceptin to be given free.
• Breast screening programme to be initiated, starting with women aged 50 to 59.
• A new specialised oncology centre to start being built.
• Karin Grech Hospital to start being used as a rehabilitation centre, grouping services currently provided by Zammit Clapp and St Luke's.
• Higher excise duty on alcopops targeted at youths.
• Legal age for alcohol consumption to rise to 17 years.
• More efforts to enforce drinking laws as well as to educate on the harm done by excessive alcohol consumption.
• Excise duty on tobacco and cigarettes to rise by €0.20.
Energy
• Free energy-saving bulbs for all families
• New tax to raise price of traditional bulbs and neon tubes.
• Refund of two-thirds of the cost of buying a solar water heater, up to a maximum of €460.
• Refund of half the cost of installing photovoltaic panels, up to €3,000.
• Refund of a third of the cost of roof insulation and double glazing in homes, up to €300.
• A personal advice service on cutting energy waste in homes.
• For industry, funding for part of the cost of expert advice on energy use and of energy audits.
Localities
• Two-year income tax credits for small companies that invest a minimum of €10,000 in their business.
• A subsidy of 30 per cent, or up to €2,500, of the cost of restoration of façades of pre-1950 residential properties.
• NGOs to be refunded 15.25 per cent of their expenditure within their localities.
Education
• Financial aid to private schools to engage facilitators.
• More investment in IT networks in schools.
• More investment in new schools.
• Higher vote for the University of Malta.
• Financial assistance for Mcast lecturers to improve their qualifications.
• New multimedia, language laboratory and computer projects at Mcast.
Employment
• New programmes for those looking for work or those who want to improve their skills, as well as for disadvantaged persons.
• Subsidies for companies to provide training to employees.
• Persons who have been registering for work for more than five years to do work in the community or on public works.
Enviornment
• Higher duty on petrol and diesel, rising by €0.055 and €0.02 respectively.
• Eco-contribution of €0.15, charged to customers, on every plastic bag given out by shops.
• Higher licence fees for private and commercial swimming pools.
Sport
• National sportsmen and women who work with the government to be granted sports leave.
• New sports programmes aimed at reaching out to more people, from schoolchildren to the elderly.
• New regional sports complex in Kirkop
• A refund of 15.25 per cent on the purchase of bicycles.
Elderly
• Full cost-of-living compensation, as last year.
• Calculation of ex-servicemen's social security pension to ignore another €200 of service pension.
• The first night shelter to be located in the south.
Housing
• First-time buyers to receive a maximum of 30 per cent of their loan repayments for 10 years. Scheme to be means tested.
Persons with disability
• Total exemption of succession tax on the transfer of ordinary residence for disabled persons who were living with their parents or guardians.
Cost of living
• Compensation of €4.08 a week.
Host families
• Non-taxable income to rise to €3,500.