Headlines

The structure of the economy is such that it is NOT CAPABLE OF PRODUCING INCREASES IN REVENUE INDEFINITELY

Having spent 47 years in Parliament, economic minister SIR JOE BOSSANO must know what he is talking about. This is an excerpt of what he said about the current Budget:

The GDP measures the value of the output of the economy and it is not a measure of the recurrent revenue of the Government.  Read more

This Budget is a mirage or an optical illusion, says GSD member ROY CLINTON

This Budget and the estimate book for 2019/20 has all the characteristics of a Mirage. We are being asked to believe what our eyes perceive to be a shimmering land of plenty, an oasis in which our financial thirst will be quenched and satisfied.And yet on closer examination of this miraculous Mirage we find out perhaps too late that our minds have been deceived by an optical illusion that we have been only too quick to believe.  Read more

IMPORT DUTIES: What goes up and down

Unless otherwise mentioned, the following import duty changes have already taken effect.

Plastics

In his lengthy Budget speech, the chief Minister Fabian Picardo said: In recognition of our commitment to make Gibraltar as environmentally sustainable as possible, reduce our impact on the planet and improve quality of life for all, last year the Government last year increased import duty on disposable plastic products such as plastic straws, plates, cups, disposable plastic bags and sacks to 200%. Continuing with that pledge this year, and to encourage less usage of plastic bags and bottles, the import duty on all cotton bags and aluminium bottles will be reduced to 0%.  Read more

MINIMUM WAGE will go up to £7.50 in next 3 years

A mechanism has been put in place to ensure that the minimum wage will increase from £6.75 to £7.50 over the next three financial years, said the Chief Minister.  Read more

Pro-Life Movement rally

The Pro Life Movement held a rally at Casemates yesterday afternoon. It comprised speakers and videos from Gibraltar and overseas, and was family friendly. Read more

Record surplus expected in Budget today

50 years after we were condemned by the Spanish Government to fall like a ripe fruit, it is expected that Gibraltar will instead declare a record surplus, when the Chief Minister announces the Budget today.  Read more