Jul 05 – YGTV’s Budget Basics
YOUR CONDENSED BUDGET:
The Chief Minister has painted a bright picture of the Gibraltar economy, telling Parliament that GDP has grown by 7.5% to £1.77 billion, with a surplus of £38.8 million.
Despite the uncertainty presented by Brexit, Mr Picardo says his Government is predicting a conservative budget surplus of £20 million for the next 12 months.
Key Points:
- Minimum wage to rise from £6.25 to £6.28 from August 2016
- Those earning £11,050 will pay no income tax
- Minor increases in all allowances under the Allowance Based System
- No change to the Gross Income Based System
- No social insurance increases (for now)
- Mandatory private sector pensions deferred
- Import duty of 10% on high sugar drinks
- Increase in Government housing rents by 3% (first increase in 32 years)
- Public Sector pay to rise 2.75%
- Net public debt £345 million or 19% of GDP
- No increase in water, electricity or fuel
- Duty eliminated or substantially reduced on a wide range of items including eyewear, boat supplies. Duty abolished on sanitary towels and tampons.
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