Below follows Minister John Cortes' 2025 Budget statement:

Madam Speaker,

Before I enter the body of my speech, I must begin by making reference to some of the comments made by the Leader of the Opposition in his.  Of course, the Hon the Chief Minister will go to town with him in his reply, but feel I must make some comment.

First, I must of course disagree with his feeble attempt at playing with words to discredit our record in meeting manifesto commitments, and remind him that some of their manifestos have been little more than pamphlets with ‘wish lists’, while we have delivered time and time again on the great majority of our commitments, as well as on the unpredictable and non-scripted, like Covid and Brexit.

Those of us who still remember the dark days of GSD Government know that December 2011 was indeed a bright new dawn, upon which foundations we have built a much greener Gibraltar, steadily and successfully getting the job done, as we clearly continue to do.

Madam Speaker, the Hon Leader of the Opposition seems also to have forgotten his party’s recent history.  Need I remind the benches opposite of the rapid succession of post-Sir Peter opposition leaders and leadership elections which they have gone through, one not much more than a year ago?  Which makes it quite extraordinary to hear him suggest in his Netflix allusion that because in his view the GSLP has more than one person who feels that they could succeed the Chief Minister as leader, that that is somehow a bad thing!

The GSLP, Madam Speaker is not about personalities vying for position.  The GSLP is a party of strong belief and socialist principles which would not fall at the hurdle of a leadership election, but emerge even stronger after it.

And on Departmental spend, Madam Speaker, the implication in his words, here and on GBC last night, is that the civil servants, the Controlling Officers, are in some way not disciplined and are responsible for negatively affecting the quality of the public service.  These are dedicated, hardworking Gibraltarians who are diligent in their delivery to the public and who have to deal with circumstances, often unpredictable and which may indeed lead to a higher spend, but which they do with diligence and commitment and a tremendous sense of responsibility.  There seems to be an insinuation that they in some way curtail pay rises, which is not just bizarre, but could be seen as an attempt to undermine them.  That is simply not correct, and I stand up firmly for our public servants.

 

Madam Speaker,

This is my fourteenth Budget Speech. Considering that I entered politics thinking that I would only have to deliver four, I suppose that being here a decade later isn’t bad going.

In all this time, Gibraltar has moved forward in leaps and bounds, despite the challenges of Brexit and Covid.  Meanwhile, the world gets hotter and hotter.  Sadly, it has also got tenser and tenser, and yet, we have pulled through, with our future looking brighter than it has done for a long time.

 

MINISTERIAL REPRESENTATION

First let me summarise some of the strictly Ministerial work that I have undertaken in the past year.  This has included meetings in London with the Minister for Nature Mary Creagh, and Minister of Education Stephen Morgan, meetings in the Commons and the Lords on Environment, meetings with senior officials in Morocco, the Joint Ministerial Council between HMG and the Overseas Territories, and my continuing work in chairing the UK Overseas Territories’ and Crown Dependencies’ Environment Ministers’ Council.  In this context I am looking forward to shortly supporting the launch of HMG’s Biodiversity Strategy for the Overseas Territories which I have been involved in developing.  

 

ENVIRONMENT

Madam Speaker, Departmentally, I start with the area of responsibility that I have held the longest, that of the Environment.

I will resist the temptation to look back over the whole of my Ministerial career.  I might do that in my last budget speech, whenever that might be, (and I have no intention that this one will be that).  But it is fair to remind ourselves that, fourteen years ago, we had no grassy parks in the middle of town, we had a greasy, slimy, diesel power station in a built-up area, we had no renewable energy, uncontrolled fishing along our shoreline with no enforcement, and monkeys and seagulls were overrunning our Town.

I must credit the work of the staff in the Department Change, a very large and complex one, which delivers across a very wide spectrum, contributing to the fantastic quality of life we are lucky to have in Gibraltar.

 

Emissions Inventory

Madam Speaker, Gibraltar’s latest available carbon emissions inventory, that for 2022, showed a very slight increase in emissions of 2% since 2021, although this is still well lower than the 2019 pre-Covid emissions.

Emissions from electricity generation have stayed static since 2021 but have decreased by 37% since 2015. The amount of electricity consumed has remained fairly stable while there have been increases in renewable energy generation.

Emissions from waste decreased by 7% since 2021 (and by 16% since 2015) due to a decrease in total waste arisings sent to landfill.

In other areas they have remained static or somewhat increased, which must serve as a call to the community to be more aware of our responsibility, and ability, to live in more energy efficient ways. 

I am pleased to report, Madam Speaker, that the Carbon Disclosure Project, to which Gibraltar reports its data, gave us an improved score of A- in terms of our reporting, so many thanks to all of the Government Departments, Agencies and Authorities that contribute towards this work.  

 

Net Zero Delivery Body and Renewable Energy

The NZDB, chaired by my Honourable friend the Deputy Chief Minister, continues to meet and discuss how we can progress on the challenges Gibraltar faces in terms of decarbonisation. Most recently it discussed the outputs of two projects funded by the FCDO’s Climate Security Programme (a Heatwave Response Plan and an Offshore Wind pre-feasibility study).  The Body also continues to engage with its learner ambassadors to better understand perspectives from young people.

It has considered the results of the pre-feasibility study on offshore wind power and unanimously agreed to proceed with the full feasibility study, given that the initial report points to real potential solutions to Gibraltar’s power generation if offshore wind were responsibly harnessed.

Madam Speaker, the Government has concluded its assessment of the responses received to a recent expression of interest for solar PV and is now entering the next stage of tendering for specific projects. The Department of the Environment, in conjunction with the GEA has also issued a tender for a consolidated monitoring system for all PV systems which will provide better oversight on renewable energy generation in Gibraltar.

My friend the Minister for Utilities will provide more information in her speech.

 

Aspire Conference

The Aspire Conference on a Sustainable Built Environment held recently brought together industry leaders, policy makers and innovators to focus on reshaping how we design, build and inhabit our urban spaces.

Sponsored by private sector players, the conference urged attendees to reimagine the built environment through the lens of nature, resilience and human well-being.

Regenerative design was a core theme of the conference, emphasising the importance of building with nature and using it as a blueprint for our cities and urban spaces.  Already some of what was presented in the conference is beginning to find its way into the design stage of some of our future developments.   As we look to a post-Treaty Gibraltar, we must ensure that we embrace sustainable innovation and make Gibraltar a global example in responsible development.  We have the opportunity NOW, and we must grasp it.  

Another major highlight was the launch of a groundbreaking Dynamic Simulation Model for Gibraltar, a cutting-edge tool that can evaluate the interaction of form, façade and thermal mass with active engineering solutions to explore all aspects of a building’s design. Developed by Integrated Environment Solutions, the software will empower industry to deliver a built environment that supports wider climate goals.

With Gibraltar’s dense urban footprint and limited land, another key theme of the conference was the urgent need to make every inch of space work harder. This includes reimagining rooftops, streets, carparks, and public spaces to serve multiple functions—such as generating energy, aiding biodiversity and fostering social connection.

We remain committed to this and to reducing traffic and prioritise walking, cycling, and public transport to cut emissions and reconnect people with their surroundings. 

 

25 Year Plan 

Madam Speaker, 

The feedback received on the consultation draft of the 25 Year Environment Plan was valuable. 

We have considered the views and taken onboard as much as possible.  The now final draft of the Plan will be published today on the Government website.  It will be reviewed once again in the light of the forthcoming Treaty, and will have a formal launch in early autumn.

 

Waste and Wastewater management

This past year has seen important changes in the management of our waste. New bins for the separate collection of organic matter and textile waste have been rolled out. 

Since we commenced these collections earlier this year, there have been 67 tonnes of textiles and 282 tonnes of organic waste collected.

A new contract for the provision of a waste management facility has been entered into and a new collective agreement with Gibraltar Industrial Cleaners has been signed. All of these changes will serve to improve Gibraltar’s local environment, increasing waste separation and recycling rates and delivering better value for money for the tax payer.

Madam Speaker, in relation to the Waste Water Treatment Plant, I am very pleased to announce that I have today been advised by the tender board that a decision has been made to award the tender to EcoWaters Ltd who were the Preferred Bidder.  The tender evaluation process has been thorough and lengthy by necessity given that Gibraltar’s sewage is not what is typically found all around the world as saltwater is used.  As we know, this complicates the treatment process and also the evaluation process.  The project team put together by HMGOG includes specialist international technical consultants that have thoroughly evaluated the proposals made.  The Contract will be for a 25 year term.  The annual costs of running the plant to treat our sewage are yet to be finalised as there are still a number of commercial points to be agreed. 

  

Environmental Agency - general

Madam Speaker,

The Environmental Agency (EA) continues to play a vital role in advising my Ministry across a wide range of environmental and public health matters.

This year, the Agency has contributed significantly to legislative reviews in critical areas such as public health, littering, waste management, entertainment licensing, and food hygiene, ensuring our legal frameworks remain robust and up to date.

In 2024, the Agency responded to 1720 public complaints. As of May 2025, it has handled 579 complaints. The Agency’s after-hours service responded to 310 urgent callouts in 2024 and has undertaken 119 callouts this year.

 

Abatement notices and prosecutions

Most complaints received concern nuisances, food safety, pest infestations, and housing conditions. In such cases, Environmental Health Officers investigate and where a statutory nuisance is identified, the party responsible may be served with an abatement notice requiring remedial action.

Between 2024 and up to May 2025, the Environmental Agency issued 35 abatement notices.

In situations of serious non-compliance or significant risk to public health, the Environmental Agency escalates matters to the courts. Several successful prosecutions have been carried out, resulting in meaningful penalties.   Over the same period, fines levied have totaled £18,100.  

These were:

2024:

£500 fine for exposing food to the risk of contamination

£300 fine for exposing food to the risk of contamination

£4000 fine for several food hygiene offences including operating in unhygienic conditions

£3160 fine for several food hygiene offences including operating in unhygienic conditions

£3000 fine for several food hygiene offences including operating in unhygienic conditions - £4500 fine for several food hygiene offences including operating in unhygienic conditions

£600 fine for non-compliance with an abatement notice

The issue of two nuisance orders against a landlord obliging him to carry out repairs 2025:

X6 £250 fines for non-payment of a fixed penalty notice (FPN) -         X2 £270 fines for non-payment of a fixed penalty notice (FPN)

 

Food Hygiene and Safety Madam Speaker,

Ensuring the safety of our food supply remains a cornerstone of the Environmental Agency’s work.

The Agency has acted decisively where food safety risks have been identified. In 2024, 12 food establishments were voluntarily closed due to hygiene concerns. In 2025, there have been 6 such closures to date.

Additionally, the Environmental Agency is working in close consultation with the Government Law Offices to review and modernise the Food Hygiene Regulations, including efforts to finalise legislation relating to food allergens.

 

Ship Sanitation

The Port of Gibraltar became a recognised international port for the issuing of ship sanitation certificates in 2015. Ship sanitation inspections are part of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) administered by the World Health Organization (WHO) and are typically required when ships dock at ports.  In fact, Madam Speaker, I recall successfully negotiating the application to Gibraltar of the IHF during my time as Minister for Health. 

It is interesting, Madam Speaker, how as the years go by, the achievements of our Government, and of us as individual Ministers, gets lost in the mists of time, even to ourselves.

The Environmental Agency carried out 234 ship sanitation inspections in 2024 and this year 168 ship sanitations have already been conducted.

 

Air Quality

The Agency and Government continue to assess and enhance the air quality monitoring network to ensure it remains fit for purpose. 

Apart from the monitoring stations, five operational AQ mesh pods are deployed across Gibraltar, enabling mobile air quality monitoring near high-risk emission sources such as major roads, industry, and maritime activity. This flexible approach allows targeted investigations and improves our overall understanding of Gibraltar’s air quality.

One pod at North Mole Road is tracking the effects of maritime emissions.

Another was relocated from Governor’s Lane to Secretary’s Lane during refurbishment works and has since returned to its original location.

Additional pods at Devil’s Tower Road, Rosia Road Clocktower, and Europort Road enhance coverage and provide important intercomparison data for quality control.

All measurements from the pods are accessible online, offering hourly updates and downloadable historical data. This allows for residents and researchers alike with transparent, real-time environmental information.

One area where the public continues to raise concern on air quality is in the impact of activities at Gibdock.  We have facilitated positive engagement between residents of the area and Gibdock management to better understand the issues and reduce the impact of these activities.

and improved bustops across Gibraltar

Madam Speaker, I am very pelased to report Air Quality Compliance – all pollutants show compliance with the Limit Values defined in the Gibraltar Air Quality Standards Regulations and the Air Quality Directive.

There is a continued downward trend in concentrations of pollutants across the 20 years that the Gibraltar Air Quality Monitoring Network has been operational.

To provide some examples:

PM10 levels were at 20µgm^-3 in 2006 and are now at 8µgm^-3

Sulphur dioxide levels were at 45µgm^-3 in 2009 and are now at 4µgm^-3

And Nitrogen dioxide in the South District was at 58µgm^-3 in 2009 and is now at 21µgm^-3.

We are always looking to enhance the standard and integrity of the evidence base and to adopt best scientific practice. To this end we plan to review the new European AQ Directive to ensure Gibraltar remains aligned with it.

 

Pest Control

Madam Speaker,

The Agency conducts systematic treatments of main sewers and utility manholes, particularly in densely populated areas such as Government housing estates and the City Centre.  It has increased its focus on mosquito control in response to the growing threat of mosquito-borne diseases emerging in neighbouring regions of Spain. Targeted surveillance and larvicide operations are being carried out in known breeding areas, especially during the warmer months. 

 

Bathing Water

Five of our monitored bathing sites have consistently maintained the “Excellent” classification, while Western Beach has once again achieved a “Good” rating now for the fifth consecutive year. We go beyond legal requirements, including those of the European Union, by increasing sampling frequency during the bathing season. 

 

Potable Water:

The Environmental Agency also conducts monthly sampling of the potable water supply throughout the distribution network, as required by the Public Health (Potable Water) Rules 1994. These samples are analysed for organoleptic and microbiological quality, helping to identify any contamination risks. “Audit samples” are also collected directly after treatment to assess the performance of water purification systems.

Additionally, the Agency monitors and licenses water supplied to ships at the Port, ensuring it

meets health standards.                                                                                                                                         

The Agency has recently strengthened its expertise by participating in key international fora, and will host the next UK and Republic of Ireland Drinking Water Inspectorate Meeting later this year.

 

Dog Fouling and Licensing

The Agency continues to play a central role in the Government’s anti-dog-fouling work. Officers are increasing enforcement against owners who fail to register or license their pets, or who allow fouling in public spaces.

The DNA sampling programme enables retrospective identification of offending dog-owners through collected samples. In 2024, 215 DNA samples were taken, resulting in 26 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs). So far in 2025, 113 samples have led to 33 FPNs.

This work complemented licence and registration checks.  Regular patrols allow officers to check for unlicensed or unregistered dogs. In 2024, 27 FPNs were issued for these offences; 20 FPNS have been issued so far in 2025.

In 2025, eight successful prosecutions were brought against individuals who failed to pay their FPNs. 

 

Radiation Response

Madam Speaker,

With regard to radiation emergencies, as Chair of the Radiation. Response Committee, I remain engaged in close collaboration with the Office of Civil Contingencies, the Ministry of Defence, and other key stakeholders to ensure strong emergency preparedness, resilience, and effective response capabilities in the event of an incident involving nuclear-powered warships (NPWs).

After the last radiation response exercise in 2022, regulators confirmed Gibraltar’s strong emergency protocols and its highly effective response capabilities.  The next exercise is due this autumn.

 

Beaches and Lifeguards

Madam Speaker,

A tremendous amount of work is done by the beaches team in order to get the beaches in condition for the summer.  It is a pity that some choose only to highlight the negatives, often beyond the team’s control, and fail to recognise all this work.

Every year, remedial works are carried out at all our beaches, which suffer from the elements in the winter and spring, and from vandalis; these include rendering and painting of flooring, walls, seating areas, stairs and public accesses, replacement of toilet furniture where needed, and repairing fixtures and retiling wherever necessary as well as repairs and/or replacements of beach facility doors, railings and balustrades.  This year new Rader Locks are being installed in accessibility toilets at all beaches.

Work cannot be done too soon as late spring storms can then undo this, and so demands that all be absolutely ready before the ‘official’ season are not reasonable.  Nevertheless, it is our intention to bring forward the official bathing season as from next year to the weekend of the Late Spring Bank Holiday.

A detailed list of the works done on the beaches this year will be provided in the published version of this speech.

I would also like to recognise here the excellent work done by our young Lifeguards in keeping beachgoers safe.

 

Works at Beaches

Western Beach, a considerable amount of seaweed as well as marine debris has been removed, as well as all accumulated seaweed within the runway sea inlet running adjacent to the beach car.  Concrete walkways have been laid and realigned providing access to the beach and the Beach Accessibility Service Unit. Further works include:

Erection of the Beach Accessibility Service pergola.

Repairs and treatment of wooden beach umbrella stores.

Repairs and painting of railings and balustrades

Reprofiling the beach 

Deployment of Jelly fish net

 

At Camp Bay, works include:

The protective seawall has been reinforced and refurbished

Coping stones around large and small pools have been replaced

the southern pier has been re-enforced and steps extended

the upper surrounding promenade wall has been repainted

The whole of Camp Bay surface has been repainted 

the over spill gutters surrounding both pools have been cleaned and replaced to ensure proper drainage to avoid accumulation of stagnant water 

Damaged handrails between levels have been replaced

The Jelly Fish net has been deployed

The interior and exterior of all toilets and showers have been repainted

 

Works at Little Bay include: • The Refurbishment of all seating areas.

Circular floor designs have been repaired and repainted

Repairs have been carried out to accessibility ramp leading to shoreline

The Jelly fish net has been deployed

Damaged handrails between levels have been replaced as required

The interior and exterior of all toilets and showers have been repainted

 

At Catalan Bay:

Repaired and treated the wooden walkway structure providing access from car park to beach 

The concrete walkways providing access to beach and accessibility area have all been relaid

The Beach Accessibility Service pergola has been set up

The erection of the Accessibility Beach Tent for the exclusive use of blue badge beach users has been completed, this being immediately adjacent to the accessibility mat providing stable access to wheelchair users to the shoreline. This service was first introduced last summer and is being continued this year

The Jelly Fish Net has also been laid

The interior and exterior of all toilets and showers have been repainted 

The wooden beach umbrella stores have been repaired 

The entire beach wall and handrails leading to beach have also been repaired and painted

 

At Sandy Bay:

The concrete walkways providing access to the beach have been re-laid

The wooden beach umbrella stores have been repaired

The Jelly Fish Net enclosure has been laid

The railings and balustrades have been repaired and painted

A new external beach shower has been installed at south end of beach At Eastern Beach: 

The painting of sections of the beach wall not covered by the new storage units has been completed as have the accessibility balustrades

The concrete walkways providing access to the beach and the Beach Accessibility Service Unit have been re-laid

The Beach Accessibility Service pergola and the additional concrete platform provided to enable unobstructed path to accessibility ramp are completed, as is the erection of the Beach Accessibility Beach Tent for the exclusive use of blue badge beach users, immediately adjacent to the accessibility mat providing stable access to wheelchair users to the shoreline.

As in other beaches, the Jelly Fish Net enclosure at the southern side of the beach has been laid and the setting up of the Jelly Fish Net enclosure on northern side of the beach, which was delayed by the suppliers, will be completed shortly

The wooden beach umbrella stores have been repaired.

Cemeteries

Madam speaker, we continue efforts to improve the North Front Cemetery. This year has seen the painting of the majority of the surrounding wall and the roundabout.  All sign posts, water taps, surrounding gates, drainage grates and metal benches have also been repainted.   Works and improvements to the management of green spaces within the cemetery continue.  This last year we have had 213 burials, approximately 23 transfers of remains, and approximately 35 cleaning of vaults.  The team also repaint the surroundings of niches every time they are used for a burial. The staff at the cemetery have also renewed over 200 deeds due to people passing away and requiring a transfer of ownership of vault.   We are planning further changes, including a review of cemetery fees.

 

Green areas

Work continues in monitoring, managing and where possible increasing green areas.  Over 100 trees have been planted in the past year.   The recent renewal of the hanging baskets in Main Street is but the first stage of a programme, partly funded by businesses in the area, to green-up the centre of Town.  We will also continue to work with the re-energised Horticultural Society in other projects with similar aims.

 

Botanic Gardens

The Gibraltar Botanic Gardens continue with their core objectives of maintaining and beautifying the grounds, educating the public and researching the ecology and conservation of plants and animals, including Gibraltar’s endemic plants. They also have an important advisory role to the Department of the Environment in ecology and landscaping.

Improvements to the gardens’ aesthetics continue and the hard work of the grounds staff is obvious. Moreover, the gardens coordinate a large group of volunteers who visit weekly to help maintain the grounds, and who deserve out thanks. 

The Alameda’s new bespoke education area, inaugurated last year, is in use on a daily basis, for example by the Alameda Gardening Club and many school groups. Its development has been a resounding success. This was fully funded by the contributions of many generous donors.

 

Marine Protection and monitoring 

Madam speaker, in a decisive step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of British Gibraltar Territorial Water's marine biodiversity, we will be introducing a new set of marine conservation and protection measures. These measures have been drawn up with the Fishing Working Group and in Consultation with the Nature Conservancy Council. 

The first is the designation of a new No-Take Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) which prohibits all fishing activities and provides critical spawning and nursery areas for key species.

The second is the introduction of seasonal closures targeting vulnerable fish populations of sea bass, spotted sea bass and groupers. Scientific research strongly supports seasonal closures, particularly during the spawning period, which have a substantial positive impact on fish populations. A closed season during the spawning period helps protect gravid females and reduce the pressure on spawning stocks. The closed season for these species will be implemented under the auspices of the Marine Protection Regulations and reviewed on an annual basis.

To further support sustainable fisheries management, the Department has also updated the minimum legal-size limits for key marine species, once again with the full approval of the Fishing Working Group. These revisions are based on growth and maturity and are intended to allow fish to reach reproductive age before capture.

The Environmental Protection and Research Unit (EPRU), have had a particularly busy year and I commend the officers for their sterling work.  In addition to supporting other Departments at sea, such as the Port Department during oil spill responses, or the RGP and Customs as needed, they really are delivering in their primary role of environment enforcement, research and monitoring as well as wildlife rescue.  Some statistics to prove the point Madam Speaker:

75 reports for illegal fishing.

3 marine turtles recovered Dead, and 2 recovered Alive.

35 Fin Whales  recorded transiting through BGTW.

7 dolphins recovered Dead.

2 Giant squids recovered weighing 17 kg each.

3 Horse shoe whip snakes recovered alive and reallocated to another safe place on the Rock and 1 Bell Python recovered and taken to the Wildlife Park.

21 dog owners warned for offences such as non-renewal of licenses and being on beaches.

27 persons warned for fishing in BGTW without a permit, with 5 reported for process and taken to court.

1 seal spotted and monitored until it moved out of BGTW.

40 Birds Rescued:   12 Griffon Vultures, 1 Black Vulture, 5 Short toed Eagles, 1 Cattle Egret, 1 Starling, 2 Sardinian warblers, 3 Gannets, 7 Swifts, 1 Eurasian Siskin, and 7 Juvenile Barbary Partridges all recovered alive by the team and taken to the GONHS raptor Unit or the Wildlife Park.

7 Griffon Vultures recovered, sadly dead from the sea

Additionally, officers were involved in the search and rescue of a man who had fallen off a Ferry from Morocco to Spain. The officers assisted other authorities and found the individual at sea.   

I am sure Madam Speaker, everyone in this House will agree, excellent work indeed by a Unit that would not even exist were it not for the GSLP/Liberal Government that created it.

 

Yellow-legged Gull

Madam Speaker, the population of the Yellow-legged Gull in Gibraltar needs to be controlled because the birds have an ecological impact on habitats and other species, cause nuisance to the public when nesting in the urban zone, can be a public health problem and a safety risk.  

I can report, Madam Speaker, that the trend of Yellow-legged Gull population in Gibraltar continues to be one of significant decline, as evidenced by continuous surveys.  I am delighted to report that this year has seen the fewest pairs nesting since records began!  The Avian Control Unit thus continues to do excellent work, providing an excellent service to the public. Control of pigeons and feral chickens is also ongoing wherever these cause public health and nuisance problems.

 

Birds of Prey

Madam Speaker, on raptor rehabilitation, working in collaboration with GONHS, we continue to receive and rehabilitate migrating raptors from black vultures to Scops owls. The team also caters for the rehabilitation and rearing of smaller birds, when needed, during the nesting season.   

The team supervises drone flights and other human activities that could pose a danger or threat to these nesting birds.

Led by the now famous and hugely experienced Vincent Robba, the unit continues to monitor local species of birds of prey.  

Their monitoring has revealed a stable population of peregrines and common kestrels, with at least 14 young of each fledged this year, while the ravens have successfully nested for the second year in a row after becoming re-established on the Rock, and Jackdaws have fledged young for the first time in Gibraltar since the 1960s.

 

Captive           breeding         and      re-introduction         programmes are       top      priorities.  

We are currently working on programmes for the repopulation of the Bonelli’s eagle, lesser kestrels and little owls, and of course our Barbary partridges.   The young will be hacked back to the wild to repopulate existing numbers, or in case of the Bonelli’s eagles, to hopefully reintroduce this species back into Gibraltar and the adjacent hinterland where they are endangered.

 

In the field of education, the team continues to receive schools for educational visits and exciting displays of these birds of prey.   

On the research front, the team continues to study migration patterns for migrant and local raptors. One young Peregrine has recently been fitted with a GPS tracking, that will give us important information on the dispersal of young peregrines hatched in Gibraltar.

 

Macaques

Madam Speaker, I am happy to report that the monkey population remains stable at around 200 macaques, divided into 7 groups.  Selective laparoscopic sterilisation of females has allowed for this with enough births in each group to maintain their social cohesiveness. This, coupled with the investment by this Government at the sites, providing ponds and supplemental feeding to the monkey’s natural foraging, has stopped the large macaque incursions that were evident previously. Problems with monkey bites are localised to one pack by the Cable Car Station which is the result of illegal feeding. We are taking active steps in stopping this with fines and educating the public and operators alike.

 

Environmental NGOs

Madam Speaker, I would once again like to recognise the work of our environmental NGOs in helping to promote environmental education as well as furthering our understanding of the environmental pressures we face with their advocacy and their work. They are an important part of the jigsaw of environmental management and, coming as I do from that very world, I will always value their role and contributions in these critical issues.  If I may highlight just one aspect for each, the ornithological research carried out for decades by GONHS, the exciting Sea Grass reintroduction project being undertaken by the Nautilus Project and the untiring work on Clean up the World by the ESG all merit mention.  

 

Gibraltar National Park

Madam Speaker, the National Park Co-ordinating Board continues to meet and discuss ways to continue to develop and market this product.  This highlights the extremely close and successful collaboration that exists between my friend and colleague the Minister for Tourism and his team and myself and my team, in our delivering an ever-improving product and their relentless and successful marketing.  

We are investing in transformation – reinventing and perfecting the visitor experience, all through the lens of sustainable tourism, and with the consequent benefit to our own residents.  We have finished the redesign of all relevant logos to ensure continuity of design.  New and improved facilities coming online in the next two years include the Moorish Castle, the Dungeons, the Discovery Trail, the Northern Defences, the Jungle Park, Jews’ Gate, Apes’ Den and Queen’s Road Tunnel Macaque Interpretation Centre, King’s Pathway, Devil’s Gap Pathway and Charles V wall lower section, O’Hara’s Battery, the City Under Siege, Southern Battery and Tovey Cottage.  All of this Madam Speaker, continuing from the great work already done at the WWII Tunnels, St Michael’s Cave and building on the new experiences brought by this administration such as the Skywalk and Windsor Bridge. The Skywalk is a feature in our landscape which has more photographs taken of it than all other sites combined; a site which appeared as Microsoft Bing’s backdrop image; a search engine with upwards of 100 million daily users. We believe in quality and meaningful investment in our tourist product.

 

And all of this now is being done through private investment and will be paid for by a part of the revenue from ticket sales to the Nature Reserve, in order words, paid for by the tourist and NOT the tax payer!  

 

Gibraltar Nature Reserve

Madam Speaker, the Nature Reserve is one of the component limbs of the National Park.   We continue to manage it with regular maintenance to the sites and pathways, including of course Mediterranean Steps.  

The Hon the Chief Minister very clearly dealt with ‘Nostro Damon’s’ total misjudgement of my firm actions in dealing with Upper Rock fees and investment.  I am grateful to him for having put the Hon Mr Bossino in his place.  A Mr Bossino who should know by now that I know my job well enough to have confidence in my decisions, and that they usually work out. 

To reiterate this, the revenue from ticket sales in the until-then pre-COVID bumper year 2018/19 was £3.7m, while that in the FY 2024/25 was £11.5M; that is over three times the amount.  

 

The Financial Year 2023/2024 saw 188,263 additional tickets sold compared to 2018/19, with total ticket sales reaching 818,960 vs. 630,697.  NOT fewer as Mr Bossino seemed to fear as he predicted a veritable collapse of tourism. 

This represents a 30% increase in visitors to the Reserve.   Our Marketing strategies are clearly working.  The financial Year 2024/2025 saw 277,144 more tickets sold than in 2018/2019, bringing total ticket sales to 907,841 vs. 630,697 a 44% increase.

 

This year is already delivering record numbers, with one day figures exceeding 5000 visitors and £100,000 sales – in just one day!  I estimate that we will generate £15m in direct revenue in 2025/26.  

The truth is Madam Speaker, that we are the victims of our own success, and as numbers of tourists increase, we must move with the times in order not to collapse access to the Nature Reserve.    We work very closely with Tour Operators to improve the Upper Rock experience, and we will now have to move firmly together, to resolve the issues facing the transport system on the Upper Rock.  

Among the further improvements coming to the URNR I mentioned the refurbishment of Devil’s Gap Battery. 

This iconic site will be accessed from Devils Gap Path, a project which was only a vision when I started here back in 2011 

Adding to this, will be the opening of the lower section of Charles V Wall and its connection to Green Lane. This is currently being studied and we are very optimistic in the results of our initial surveys. The potential of linking Green Lane to the Town area has always been a dream of mine, which I am hoping will soon be achieved.

The improvements that we are seeing in the sites will continue, much to the consternation of Members opposite – or of one particular member at least – who really cannot get round the fact that we are doing so much so quickly.

 

 

HERITAGE 

 

Ministry for Heritage

Madam Speaker,

On that note, I am once again pleased to update Parliament on the considerable progress that continues to be made in the field of Heritage. Over the past year, our commitment to preserving, promoting, and integrating our cultural legacy into the daily life of Gibraltar has deepened further — through legislative reform, interpretative expansion, physical conservation, and our enduring partnerships with civil society.

The ongoing enhancements to the Heritage and Antiquities Act are evident in the recent designation of new sites, including the Medieval Round Tower, plots at North Front Cemetery, and 27 Hospital Ramp. These additions reflect our effort to recognise the broad spectrum of Gibraltar’s built and cultural environment, while supporting private stewardship.

We are in the process of designating both the Northern Defences and the Europa Foreshore as Archaeological Conservation Areas, ensuring that these historically rich areas receive stronger formal protection for both their visible and buried heritage.

Our Ministry remains heavily engaged in shaping the new Development Plan and revising the Old Town Design Guide. This revised guide will offer reinforced protections for Genoese shutters, lime-rendered facades, clay roof tiles, and other traditional features, while directly addressing increasing development pressures such as uPVC windows, dormer windows, mansard roofs, and the upward extension of historic buildings.

 

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to confirm that all 28 interpretation panels announced last year — at locations including Europa Point, Landport, Waterport Gates, the Convent, the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, and the Upper Rock — have now been installed, now forming part of the visual fabric of our Town, offering residents and visitors a deeper understanding of our historical sites. Their content covers a wide spectrum of themes, from military and maritime history to natural heritage and civic architecture.

A new phase of panels is already in development. These will focus on Rosia Bay, Catalan Bay, Devil’s Tower, the Neutral Ground, the Royal Calpe Hunt, Castilian History, and Gibraltarian Social History from 1704 to the present. Together, they will continue our mission to widen access to the whole of our history and make our past visible.

We have also supported the Multilingual Society in the Gibraltarian street name project.  Ceramic signs, with a QR code linking to historical information, will remind us of the street names once spoken by earlier generations, and some of ours, and celebrate Gibraltar’s multilingual identity.  We remain grateful for the continued partnership of GFAMS — Gibraltarians for a Multilingual Society — whose commitment to linguistic preservation has been integral to this project.

To further animate our streetscape, we will install a series of colour-coded historical timelines in one of the Watergate tunnels leading into Casemates Square. Each timeline will represent a distinct historical period and provide an accessible way for residents and visitors to visualise Gibraltar’s evolving identity.

Our memorials initiative, launched last year to honour notable Gibraltarians from ancient times to the modern era, has reached its first milestone. The stands, all of which have now been placed. We remain open to expanding this scheme to include additional figures deserving of public recognition.

Madam Speaker, we were proud to commemorate HMS Calpe Royal Naval Reserve Unit with a permanent plaque and interpretation panel at Campion Park. This tribute honoured the dedication of the officers and ratings who served in this distinguished unit.  An emotional moment for my family, given that my late father-in-law Ernest Pearce had been a long-serving LieutenantCommander in the Unit.

As already mentioned, major restoration and interpretation works are currently underway at the Northern Defences, Tower of Homage and inner keep, and WWII tunnels, soon to be extended in scope.  

The Deputy Chief Minister has already mentioned the works which are currently ongoing at the Northern Defences, and the great work done by the project manager, a unique area which was virtually inaccessible until recently. The clearing of walls and creating of fire breaks this year has exposed our historic assets making the view up to the Northern Defences and the Castle-beyond look more like that of a medieval castle than it has done for many years. 

In addition, the Department of Education launched a programme and teacher resource package at this year’s CPD conference. 

We are especially excited about the upcoming Road to the Lines restoration — a major project that will revitalise this historic corridor, provide needed housing, and improve access into the Northern Defences. It represents a key example of how heritage enhancement can go hand in hand with wider urban regeneration.

We continue to engage actively with our UK counterparts on the extension of key international instruments to Gibraltar. These include the 2003 Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage, the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict, and the 1970 Convention on the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Cultural Property. These efforts will align Gibraltar more closely with international heritage best practice and help safeguard both tangible and intangible heritage.

Our work in supervising archaeological works and restoration continue constantly across Gibraltar. Watching briefs are now standard practice on sensitive developments, allowing the Ministry to monitor buried heritage while ensuring development proceeds responsibly and legally.

Madam Speaker, the long-anticipated relocation of the 9.2-inch gun, will be to Levant Battery. We are working closely with local teams and liaising with UK counterparts to give this project one final, determined push.

Madam Speaker, Heritage is not only about preservation — it is about connection, identity, and pride. I am grateful to the small but dedicated team at the Ministry for Heritage, our Government archaeologist, Project Managers and our many partners across the public and voluntary sectors who continue to strengthen this work.

 

Gibraltar National Museum

This of course includes the Gibraltar National Museum, and I am delighted to report on continuing progress across a number of fronts, building upon the solid base that it has generated over the years. 

The focal point for the achievements was undoubtedly the inscription of the Gorham’s Cave Complex as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. 

Typically, the museum team did not then sit back and rest on the laurels of this unique and amazing success; no, it continued to move forward on a number of fronts. 

Achievement of World Heritage Status will be hard to match but there is an exciting project under way that will certainly bring to the fore Gibraltar’s most important heritage monument. I am, of course, referring once again to the Moorish Castle. 

We are now awaiting the mouth-watering prospect of opening this jewel to the public, for the very first time.  I am confident that the end result will be one that will make us, or should make us all, very proud. 

As in the Northern Defences, at the Tower of Homage, important conservation works are being carried out.  These include restoration of the original floors, conservation of the historic well, and a new interpretative fit-out. This is the first time that so much has been done to improve this medieval site in over 1000 years.

Madam Speaker, my confidence lies in a knowledge that the project is in the hands of the Gibraltar National Museum team of professionals who have done so much over the years to bring to light the rich medieval heritage of our Rock, going back to the mid-1990s when they conducted Gibraltar’s first ever urban excavations, in the Museum itself, the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, the Atarazana (Galley House) in Casemates and many other sites. Their proven track record in monument conservation is there for all to see, going back to 2005 with the conservation of the Moorish Baths and 2007 with the re-opening of the Tower of Homage which had been restored by the same team of professionals. 

I say all this Madam Speaker, because we have in the museum a team who have dedicated their lives to Gibraltar, its history and heritage. We should all, independently of political affiliation, embrace the work of these Gibraltarian professionals and be proud of them. We should all of use here be jointly celebrating their achievements.

Madam Speaker, to provide independent corroboration of this work, none other than the UNESCO

World Heritage Centre in Paris, through its advisory body ICOMOS, have written to the United Kingdom Government saying the following about the Gorham’s Cave Complex World Heritage Site, after the latest cycle of Periodic Reporting: 

“ICOMOS finds that the Management Plan requires no further development. In many regards it is an exemplary Management Plan, not least in demonstrating how a Management Plan can and should reflect an ongoing, proactive management system for a World Heritage property.” 

Madam Speaker, this Management Plan was drafted entirely by the Gibraltar National Museum team, who run the World Heritage Office for us, without any need to bring in expensive external consultants or experts. 

The Gibraltar National Museum continues with its many other diverse activities. In May I attended yet another successful Open Day, which attracted a large number of locals and visitors. The museum runs an active educational programme in liaison with the Education Department and our schools. This has been ongoing for many years and is an important and vital support to our schools. 

Madam Speaker, the annual Calpe Conferences continue, this year being the 29^th year. It will be dedicated to the subject of:

“Gibraltar in the Second World War and in other global conflicts: the importance of geography”

I am pleased to report that the event will, appropriately, be held within the World War II tunnels at Hay’s Level. This new facility includes provision for conferences and I am delighted to see that the Museum and the tunnel Managers have come together to hold the event there. This collaboration will be the first of many.

Next year, we will be the celebrating the centenary of the discovery of the Gibraltar Neanderthal child’s skull at Devil’s Tower and a number of events are planned, including the Calpe Conference itself.

Madam Speaker, international interest in our heritage continues. In May we had a crew from Discovery Channel visiting our sites, including the Moorish Castle. National Geographic Television are currently in touch with the museum team in order to come out and cover another story in our rich history, and a Senior Feature writer from Kyodo News in Tokyo will be visiting Gibraltar in August to cover the recent publications on Neanderthals.  This reflects the importance of the research effort which the museum undertakes on many fronts, still making ground breaking discoveries. A recent paper showed that Neanderthals had the knowledge and ability to collect rock roses, bury them in a pit and heat them to extreme temperatures in order to extract tar which they used to fix stone points to wooden spear shafts. Not bad for 60 thousand years ago.

 

Gibraltar Garrison Library

Madam Speaker, the Gibraltar Garrison Library has, since 2011, become a central hub for visitors and researchers alike. This is a strong indication of how the Library has continued to develop during these 14 years as a central research hub and a key site for visitors to Gibraltar. In terms of visitor footfall, they have an average of 5,000 per quarter, not including those who use the collections for research in person and electronically. 

The gardens are clearly a big attraction, as are the collections and indeed, the newsprint collections which are an invaluable resource for local and international researchers. What is clear is that Gibraltar has currency as an area of research, and this brings a new type of visitor to Gibraltar in order to research and attend conferences, such as the Mediterranean Studies Association conference which took place during the last week in May, at the initiative of the Library’s Director, and which saw about 120 delegates from Japan, the US, the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa.  The regional Instituto de Estudios Campo-gibraltareños also held their History conference in the Library, jointly opened by Susana Custidio, President of the Mancomunidad de Municipios and myself, and with participation by historians from all over the region, including Gibraltar.

We have plans Madam Speaker to open the Library even further to the public, and will soon be announcing further initiatives. 

The Library’s digitisation project continues to progress with some infrastructural works to bring fibre to the premises, fibre being essential in order to connect to the server and store the data.

 

Gibraltar Heritage Trust

As in Environment, the work of NGOs is important in Heritage.  I am delighted to say that the mutual support between the Gibraltar Heritage Trust and the Ministry on day-to-day work and projects continues.  To highlight one project for them too, I must mention their excellent voluntary work at Witham’s Cemetery and adjacent Cottage.  

Madam Speaker collaboration is part of my working ethos; we can only truly deliver when we engage with all stakeholders.  

 

 

TRANSPORT

 

Madam Speaker, I now move to Transport.

General

Madam Speaker, I have never made a secret of the fact that I was not terribly excited in having been given responsibility for Transport after the last election.  And I remember that the Hon the Chief Minister told me that once I’d got my teeth into it, I’d end up thanking him for it.  Well, Madam Speaker, as is often the case, he was right.  I hereby acknowledge that, and thank him publicly for having given me the challenge and the opportunity!

Among the challenges to come will be dealing with changes in traffic flow around the frontier, and a potential influx of additional vehicles.  I am confident that with the excellent professionals that I have in my Transport team we will successfully deal with these challenges.

 

Sustainable travel

We have a carried out a number of improvements over the past year in relation to new and improved footpaths and crossings, and we have provided benches in different parts of Gibraltar also as assistance to pedestrians.  Within the next few months we will introduce additional cycling routes and joint pedestrian and cycling spaces which will allow the by-passing of much of Queensway and Rosia Road, and we are working with developers to ensure cycling infrastructure is provided along any new developments at their cost – such as at Europort.  We will be providing improved pedestrian crossings and bicycle repair stations.  As from next academic year we will be providing opportunities to become pedal-ready in our schools.  Cycling as an important form of transport is now embedded in our city culture – and I must say that having learnt to cycle this year, I realise its benefits more than I ever have.  

 

EV Charging

As part of our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, we will continue to prioritise the expansion of our electric vehicle infrastructure. This will not only support existing EV users but also encourage more individuals and businesses to make the switch. 

We have installed dedicated electric charging points for taxis, have engaged on a structured study of possibilities for expansion, continue to be engaged on identifying electric buses for our bus service, and to work with providers, including the service stations, in order to increase charging capacity around Gibraltar.

We have carried out an audit of the Government fleet and are working towards its further electrification across departments.

This is just one of the ways in which we are preparing Gibraltar for a sustainable, modern transport future – one that protects our environment, enhances qualify of life, and aligns with our climate goals.

 

Wayfinding Signs

We have commenced the design phase for new timed walking signs that highlight the short walking distances to many of Gibraltar’s key destinations. This initiative supports our Active Travel Strategy, by encouraging the choice of walking as a convenient, healthy, and sustainable mode of transport.

 

Pilot Project for Real-Time Information Signs at Bus Stops

Additionally, we have commenced work on a pilot project to install real-time information signs at bus stops, which will include text-to-speech functionality, to support those who are visually impaired. This initiative forms part of our ongoing efforts to enhance Gibraltar’s public transport system, while supporting both our climate change objectives and our commitment to accessibility for all.

 

Review of the 2017 STTPP

Madam Speaker, the 2025 review of the Sustainable Traffic, Transport and Parking Plan (STTPP), was carried out by my team to assess progress made since its implementation, identify new challenges and opportunities, and ensure the strategy remains aligned with Gibraltar’s evolving mobility needs and environmental goals.

 

The Transport Commission 

During 2024, the Traffic Commission convened seven times, reviewing a total of 90 new items (47 submissions originating from members of the public and 43 from the Building and Planning Department) as well as continuing the dialogue on other issues which may have been deferred from previous meetings. This reflects the critical interaction between community-led concerns and formal development applications, both of which shape our urban mobility landscape.

So far, in 2025, the Commission has met three times, deliberating on 34 new submissions (22 from the public and 12 from Building and Planning). 

The Commission continues to be a vital part of the infrastructure and planning ecosystem. We aim to ensure that road use and parking policies serve the public well, enhance safety, and align with broader planning goals.

 

Carparks

Madam Speaker, Gibraltar Carparks continue their excellent work on the management of parking and carparks across Gibraltar.   They always respond to requests and advise constructively on parking-related issues.  We are currently improving the condition of carparks and introducing a number of positive changes to the regulation of parking.

This is important, as too often in the past the impact of changes, short and long term, on parking has not been taken enough into account, and I am committed to changing that.

 

DVLD

Madam Speaker, this portfolio includes the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Department (DVLD). Over the past year, this Department has made significant progress on key reforms and initiatives aimed at modernising services for the public.

We are continuing a full review of the Department, working closely with the Government Law Offices, the DVLA (UK), and the Gibraltar Office in Brussels to ensure compliance and to secure the necessary bilateral agreements for the exchange of driving licences.

 

Digital Transformation and Online Services

DVLD is actively working to roll out an online service platform, with the goal of becoming fully digitised by the end of 2025. This user-friendly system will serve both the public and staff, providing each user access to their individual profile. Through this profile, users will be able to complete all essential transactions online — from booking the Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) and driving tests to applying for or renewing driving licences and registering vehicles.

Our vision is for every licence holder and vehicle owner to have secure access to a digital portfolio with all related documents and services consolidated in one place. This is a key step toward reducing wait times, minimising paperwork, and improving the efficiency of DVLD services.

 

New Service: Personalised Number Plates

Madam Speaker, as stated by the Hon the Chief Minister yesterday, I am pleased to refer to the success of the new personalised number plate service, now fully available to the public. This initiative allows vehicle owners to customise their number plates through an easy-to-use online application process.

The introduction of personalised plates has been well received and not only adds a personal touch for drivers but also generates additional revenue for the Government.  As the Chief Minister mentioned yesterday, the initiative has raised over £1.7m from over 700 plates.  

 

Strengthening EREG and EUCARIS

The Department recognises the critical importance of both EREG and EUCARIS (European Car and Driving Licence Information System) in enhancing cross-border cooperation and information sharing. Our ongoing work in this area ensures secure and rapid data exchange between states for vehicle registration, driver licensing, and enforcement purposes.

We are in active discussions with additional European states to finalise agreements that will further solidify our participation in the EUCARIS network. Strengthening these systems remains a priority, not only to support road safety and enforcement but also to ensure continued alignment with European transport policies.

 

Professional Driver Training

We continue to deliver the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) training course through UK certified instructors. This ensures that commercial drivers meet the latest regulatory and safety standards while enhancing transport industry professionalism and accident prevention capabilities.

 

Green Marked Registration Plates 

To increase the awareness and uptake of EV vehicles, all EVs will now have a green mark on their registration plate. 

 

Review of legislation

As I have stated in this House previously, we are carrying out an updating review of all licensing legislation which will be completed within this financial year.

And I want to thank the staff at the DVLD, including the technical staff, for their work and dedication in delivering the service while managing the improvements.

 

Taxi Service 

As part of our continued efforts to modernise and enhance Gibraltar’s public transport system, I am pleased to report on key developments within the Taxi Service.

We have continued to work in close collaboration with the Gibraltar Taxi Association (GTA), and I once again extend my sincere thanks to Luis Debono and his committee for their constructive engagement and progressive outlook.  Together, with the support of the Transport Commission, we have driven legislative changes that are already delivering tangible improvements in the efficiency, reliability, and availability of the Taxi City Service. 

The following have been delivered to improve Gibraltar’s Taxi service;

2 cars : one licence. The 2^nd car can only be used for City Service which means that the one licence can offer 16 hours of coverage for the public (including night city service). This second car can offer City Service at any time, which was seen during the festive period where an excellent taxi service was offered. 

Airport Service: Legislation now ensures that a minimum of 5 taxis are available outside the Airport to meet arriving flights. Visitors and locals alike deserve a professional and high availability Taxi service and ensuring a taxi greets you at the airport is a small but important part of this. To increase the availability, Private Hire vehicles can also pick up at the Airport Taxi Stand.

365 City Service: For the first time, Gibraltar has a 365 day City Service which means that at least 9 taxis are available for service every day of the year. In the past, there was no prescribed Taxi service between January and April. This will no longer be the case.

Enforcement: Transport Inspectors are now enforcing all taxi related legal requirements such as signage, City Service, uniform etc. Fines being issued for non-compliance of City Service are now £300, £500 and £1000 (along with suspension of PSV licence under the three-strike policy) which are acting as a very effective deterrent with the number of infringements dropping drastically. Transport Inspectors now have access to live data to assist with the enforcement.

New disability taxis The Ministry is assisting the GTA to acquire a number of disability taxis. One has already been purchased, registered and is being used extensively. There are another seven on the way very soon.

Night City Service Night City Service has been legislated which means that at least 9 taxis are available up until 2am.

Further improvements to come include card payment facilities on all taxis. The Ministry has been encouraging taxi drivers to acquire card payment services which most have taken up.  However, a few have not which has left me with no choice but to legislate this as a requirement for all taxis.

Madam Speaker I am excited to announce an initiative by the Government to assist the GTA in acquiring electric, London-type black taxi-cabs, which will add a decisively British flavour to our road scene the moment one steps into Gibraltar.  We are expecting the first cab to be in Gibraltar soon for a trial.

 

Public Buses

Madam Speaker, our work on the public bus system has been tremendously important in improving customer experience and paving the way towards sustainability in Transport.  A new ticketing and tracking system has been purchased and will be rolled out in the coming months, we have introduced card payment in all buses, we have revamped the school bus service, extended routes, introduced new bus stops based on a change in demographics (for example Europa Point and Hassans Centenary) and we have set up a Working group with relevant stakeholders, including the staff, to ensure we continue to deliver and better our Bus service.  

I am also happy to report that the new Upper Town buses tender process is complete and awaiting the award to be announced which I am told by Procurement will happen very soon.  There is also a new 'tourism by bus' website (Explore Gibraltar | Hopper Bus) aimed at targeting tourists and reducing the need for private tourist cars in Gibraltar.   

We have also assisted Citibus, the private operator, in upgrading their fleet to cleaner emitting buses.

The working group with bus drivers has assisted GBCL management in delivering improvements where possible. This has seen a better shift distribution system, a better annual leave allocation system and changes to the shift themselves, all at the drivers’ request. 

 

Further details on the buses follow:

New ticketing and tracking system purchased – A new ticketing system has been purchased which will provide for card payments and ID card tapping for all those who use the bus service and which will replace the current system that relies on manual checking and inputting.

The system will also allow GBCL to track bus location, collect information and communicate directly with drivers safely.

Revamped school bus service – This year after a successful trial, we have revamped the school bus service by removing all designated ‘school buses’ during the mornings, increasing availability to all users. This has been an extremely welcomed improvement by commuters and has seen an improvement in the service provided and an increase in usage.

School buses still run after school, usually carrying a full capacity of passengers, and it is great to see our younger generation embracing public transport. 

Card Machines on all buses All GBCL buses now have card payment facilities (over £100,000 has been received in card payments over the past 7 months). This has been another welcome improvement embraced by both passengers and bus drivers.

Extended routes The Ministry of Transport has a dedicated team who communicate with the public, collecting feedback and acting on it where possible to improve our Transport system. One of these was extending routes and putting on more buses to service certain routes. This has seen the introduction an extra Route 2 (to Europa Point) and an extra Route 8 (to Both Worlds) that services St Bernards Hospital too.  We continue to work with the public to ensure they receive the service they expect.   One of my aims is to improve the service in the South District by using smaller buses to negotiate some of the narrower and steeper streets.

New bus stops based on change in demographics (Europa Point and Hassans Centenary) As the Government continues to deliver homes and offer better public services, the demographic changes as does the public’s transport needs. This has seen a number of new bus stops being setup such as at Hassans Centenary, Europa Point and Lower Castle Road. 

HVO – GBCL this year has been trailing alternative fuels for public transport, in line with the STTPP and environmental plan. This has seen HVO fuel being used in all GBCL buses with a report to be published in the near future.

Beach bus – Beach goers can look forward to a shuttle bus between Europa Point and the Eastside beaches, with details to be announced shortly. 

New 'tourism by bus' website www.hopper.gi As we continue to improve Gibraltar’s tourist product, part of the strategy is sustainable tourism. This has seen, in partnership with Citibus, the launch of a new website that promotes our tourist sites and how to get to these using public transport. 

 

Delivery Drivers 

We have recently announced the long-awaited steps to regulate Delivery Drivers in terms of employment status, food hygiene and conduct on the public highway.

This will be done in a three phased approach;

Phase 1 – Drivers will be issued with a Delivery Driver card upon inspection of their employment paperwork, and formal identification. Further, drivers must be wearing a uniform to identify the company they work for, a unique driver number and their vehicle must also clearly identify their company. I must place on the record my gratitude to The staff at the Customer Care Hub who will be checking and issuing these cards. 

Until September, this will be enforced by information with RGP and Ministry staff patrolling and informing drivers and employers alike of their legal obligations with FPNs being issued as from September for none compliance.

Phase 2 – This will commence in July 2026 where All drivers MUST have either a driving license or CBT training to be issued with a renewed Delivery Driver card. This will ensure that anyone who is working and offering services via the public highway, have a basic understanding of the Highway code and how to conduct themselves using a vehicle. 

Phase 3 – This will commence late 2026 where all drivers will have had to undertake food hygiene and road safety courses which will be organised by The Ministry. 

 

PLETS

Legislation will shortly be published to ensure that thrust-controlled e-bikes will be classified as a PLET (Personal Light Electric Transport vehicles), which means that users of these vehicles will have to comply with the relevant regulations including use of helmet, age restriction and being banned from driving on pavements. 

We continue to see the increased usage of e-scooters including those from the locally based company Hoppy. Some view these as a nuisance, however they are a great alternative to mopeds and significantly reduce the number of vehicles on our roads when used on cycle lanes, as well as reducing pollution. 

Hoppy has seen nearly 50,000 trips completed on their scooters, covering 59,700 kms and saving 5,143kg in carbon emissions. 

Their correct regulation and usage are essential for safety, however, and we will continue to work on improving this.  We are currently also looking into ways in which these vehicles can obtain insurance. 

 

Transport Commission

Madam Speaker, The Transport Commission continues to update policies on applications for PSV licenses.  The Commission has renewed, suspended, rejected and withdrawn a number of PSV licences based on conduct and has overseen the improvements to the City Service and Airport Taxi Service.

 

Transport Inspectors

Our Transport Inspector team plays a vital role in policing transport-related activities throughout Gibraltar.  Their responsibilities include overseeing Taxi and Bus services, inspecting taxi operations at key points such as the Airport, and ensuring all commercial vehicles comply with regulations for accessing pedestrianized zones.

They monitor the three-strike compliance system for drivers who breach the Transport Act.  They have issued over 40 FPNs to taxis not fulfilling City Service and are overseeing the implementation of the Airport Taxi Service. They have also acquired new tachograph equipment to ensure EU standards for HGVs are maintained in Gibraltar.

Madam Speaker, the DVLD remains committed to innovation, service excellence, and alignment with international standards. Our modernisation programme — including full digitalisation, the launch of personalised number plates, and enhanced international cooperation — places the Department at the forefront of public service transformation.

Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs)_

Improved overnight parking facilities at Halifax Road have been set up which give HGV operators a place to park their trailers overnight and a designated place when they return from Spain in the early hours.  This has improved the area and also ensured that lorries are no longer parked around Gibraltar, including in the recreational area of Europa Point.

 

TECHNICAL SERVICES  

General

Madam Speaker, the Technical Services Department (TSD) has continued as ever to provide technical support to Government Ministries and Departments on a wide range of construction and traffic related matters as well as dealing with considerable challenges in respect of the Main Sewer. 

Whilst the department has shown prudence in its spend and concentrated its efforts on essential and critical items, it has nonetheless been able to meet its core objectives of maintenance and has been involved in a large number of projects covering a wide range of responsibilities. 

 

Highways

With regards to highway maintenance, the works programme has once again been successful over the past year with on-going repairs to roads, footpaths and retaining walls. The department’s team of Highways Inspectors carries out regular inspections of all our roads and footpaths and reacts to reports received from the general public. When works are identified, these are then assessed and works specifications prepared for Government’s team of on-call contractors to make good.   In addition, the department has installed a number of traffic calming measures on various roads in an effort to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety.

This year will see the continuation of our very successful and comprehensive road resurfacing scheme.  Last year, a very significant number of our roads have been resurfaced, totalling over 12,250 m².

 

Areas resurfaced were:

South Barrack Road

Scud Hill 

South Pavilion Road (North Section) 

Line Wall Road

Flint Road (West Section)

Governor’s Parade

Town Range (South Section)

Grand Parade (Northern Half)

 

Funding in the order of £1.5M is being requested in this Session for Highways Maintenance and Resurfacing projects reflecting the Government’s commitment to ensure our road network is kept to a high standard.

The replacement and enhancement of pelican crossing lights and equipment continued during the last year working jointly with the Gibraltar Electricity Authority. The Pedestrian Crossings at both Queensway Quay and King’s Wharf were replaced and upgraded with countdown timers. The Government will provide countdown timers so that in future all traffic lights have countdown timers as standard.

The department has also carried out extensive maintenance works to the pedestrian footbridge at Winston Churchill Avenue and will be carrying out repairs to the iron bridge at Smith Dorrien Avenue.

It also continues to successfully manage road closures and diversions on the Public Highway, both for its own in-house works and for all other utility companies and contractors. All road closures are assessed and carried out in a manner that allows essential works to be undertaken whilst allowing vehicles and pedestrians to circulate in a safe manner with the minimum of disruption.  In order to reduce the impact as much as possible road closures are avoided during peak times wherever possible, and after hours and weekend work is a condition that is normally imposed on contractors in order to minimise inconvenience to the public.

With regards to Coastal Engineering, TSD continues to monitor and carry out maintenance and repair works. Most recently, works have been completed at Camp Bay following damage caused to the small pier during severe storms.

TSD also continues to provide advice to developers and DPC on all aspects of coastal engineering and is currently working closely with the developers of the Eastside Project. 

It has been involved in a number of projects on rockfall protection. Most notably, it engaged on a major project to remove the rocks caught behind the catch fences located on the slopes to the south of Sandy Bay. This was the first phase of a scheme, which aims to repair and upgrade the catch fences located in this area.  In addition, the department successfully installed a new catch fence at the southern end of the old water catchments following a number of rock falls in the area. Whilst rock falls are unfortunately something that we have to live with in Gibraltar – as we have seen this weekend – the department continues to monitor the risks and takes action when necessary. 

 

Retaining Walls

During the past year TSD was also involved with works to a number of retaining walls. These have included works at Road to the Lines which have been considerably challenging given the heritage value of the wall and has seen close inter-departmental cooperation between Technical Services and Heritage. The department has also had to deal with a collapse of an existing retaining wall in the Upper Rock by the area of Bruce’s farm. These works have proved difficult; as vehicular access has been maintained at all times and are scheduled for completion over the next few weeks.

Madam speaker, the continuous monitoring and repair of existing retaining walls is critical as many of these are old and border our Public Highways network. Technical Services will continue to monitor these walls and effect the necessary repairs as and when these are necessary.

 

Sewerage and Drainage System

Moving onto sewers, during the past year the Infrastructure Section of the department has continued to maintain the public sewerage network as part of our commitment in this area. 

As we are all aware this year has been particularly challenging given the problems encountered at Wellington Front. The Section has already carried out significant remedial works in the area and these will be continuing over the summer with a view to completing works prior to the rainy season.

As has been the case for previous years, the department pushed to complete another section of relining of the Main Sewer. These works were focused in the area directly behind the John Mackintosh Hall and saw the successful relining of over 100m of the old sewer. This phase of works brings us to over 80% of the main sewer trunk within the City Walls having been relined. The works are critical to ensure the continued structural integrity and improving its hydraulic characteristics.

Beyond this main project the department continued its ongoing programme of maintenance and repair works. These have included manhole repairs, manhole cover replacement, unlined general sewer repairs, as well as a number of other physical and structural improvements. In addition, the department installed specialist render materials to a number of manholes in order to remedy the damaging effect of corrosive gasses within the sewer network.

As part of the delivery of Chatham Views and Bishop Fitzgerald School, TSD has worked on a reconfiguration of the storm water network in in the area, carried out in a manner which caused the least disruption to the public. It has taken a network with a volumetric capacity to hold 11,000 litres and delivered a network capable of holding 320,000 litres of water, designed specifically to deal with extreme weather conditions, providing additional attenuation within the network which not only to serves upstream areas (Chatham Counterguard, Queensway, Fish Market Lane and Cooperage Lane), but forms part of a wider network which covers most of the Westside Reclamation Area and Northern Parts of town. Within this reconfiguration TSD has also integrated specially designed manholes to act as a settlement tank to collect solids released by any foul water overflow upstream of this location.  

This holistic, strategic and forward-thinking approach has also been taken with the current development of the Bayside area.  What is in place is heavily influenced by tidal swings and at high tide has no attenuation so, what will be installed will have the capacity to attenuate over 220,000 litres of water at high tide and over 550,000 litres at low tide. This reconfiguration is specifically designed to deal with extreme weather events, disruption to serviceability of the outlet and projected tidal rises over the next 200 years, drastically increasing the network’s ability to serve half of Devil’s Tower Road, the southern half of Winston Churchill Avenue, Laguna Estate and Glacis Estate. They have also added sumped manholes to the design to act as collection zones for silt, facilitating easier maintenance with less disruption to the public.   

These are just two examples of strategic bespoke approach we are taking to the public network in general, with emphasis on resilience, maintenance and providing a network which will stand the test of time.

In addition to structural improvements the department also carried out a number of cleansing projects, removing material which compromises the hydraulic capacity of the network. This is particularly noticeable in the ongoing maintenance of road gullies which has seen a significant reduction in local flooding following periods of heavy rain.

The condition and upkeep of Gibraltar’s main sewer and storm water drainage networks continues to be a matter of great importance to the Government. The Department will therefore this year be continuing its major desilting and cleansing works of the sewer network and will be carrying upgrade works where necessary.

Funding is once again being requested for the purchase of equipment to allow the Sewer Infrastructure Section to continue to expand and provide an enhanced service in respect of its inspections of the sewer network. 

It is abundantly clear from the financial provisions made by the Government that the maintenance and upkeep of the sewerage network is considered critical. This is very difficult and challenging work and the efforts of the Technical Services Department should be publicly recognised. 

Madam Speaker, the Garage & Workshop continues to provide an invaluable service in the maintenance and upkeep of Government’s vehicle fleet. We are currently reviewing its work and structure with a view to maximising efficiency and using it as an opportunity it to train future professionals.

I would once again also like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the On-Call Officers of the Technical Services Department (and of course all departments) for their hard work and commitment during those times in the past year where Gibraltar has suffered from storms and very heavy rain. It is thanks to the hard work and dedication of this team, whilst most of us are at home, that the impact of these storms is not greater on both our sewerage and road networks.

Madam Speaker, the Technical Services Department is one of those Government departments that is rarely in the limelight but which works tirelessly behind the scenes to deliver on their responsibilities maintaining public infrastructure and to support and provide technical advice to other Government Ministries and Departments. 

 

Infrastructure

Madam Speaker, as Minister responsible for Infrastructure, I have set up regular meetings of all the different service providers to ensure overall co-ordination of works.   Specifically too, I chair regular meetings of all services and private developers involved in projects in the Bayside area to ensure cohesiveness and cooperation between the different entities and to avoid unnecessary inconvenience to the public and duplication of work.  All those involved have responded very positively and I believe that the projects as a whole will be all the better for it.

In this context I will also be keeping a watchful eye on progress in other infrastructure works including the new north-south sewer line and the Eastside project. 

 

 

MOROCCO

Madam Speaker, my Morocco portfolio continues to explore and strengthen ties with this neighbouring Kingdom. There are many areas in which mutual collaboration can be developed and I highlight some of the initiatives designed to enhance our relationship with our Moroccan friends.   I must thank my small but enthusiastic Morocco team, and I acknowledge the sterling work being done by the Gibraltar-Morocco Business Association, the Strait of Gibraltar Association as well the Tarourate Charity and Rifcom, work that I will continue to support in any way that I can.

 

Rabat and Tangier Trip 

During my trip to Rabat and Tangier, in October last year, I was encouraged by the energy and positive outlook of the senior officials that I met; their willingness to cooperate in the fields of education, sport, academic research, university exchanges, the environment, tourism, climate change and commerce were most encouraging.  I am extremely grateful to the outgoing Ambassador to Morocco, HE Simon Martin, and his team and that of the British Council, for their hospitality and support throughout.  I am very much looking forward to meeting his successor, Alex Pinfield, in the autumn.

As a result of the contacts made during this trip, in December 2024, the Gibraltar Tourist Board attended the Regional Conference on Tourism in Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Region, held in Tetouan; Gibraltar was the only foreign destination in attendance and there was considerable interest and great potential to be explored for both sides.  

 

University Visit

In February, a joint delegation from my Ministry and the University of Gibraltar, which included my friend and colleague the Minister for the University, visited Abdelmalek Essaadi University facilities in Tangier, Tetouan and Larache.  A Memorandum of Understanding was signed and discussions held on possible collaboration in the academic fields.

 

Other progress

Other progress and events to note include the establishment of links between the Tangier Donabo Botanic Gardens and the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens, a visit to Gibraltar of the Tarab Al Ala Choir, and a day dedicated to Gibraltar at the Everest International School in Tangier. The school’s management, which is keen to develop links with Gibraltar, visited Gibraltar in January, and met with the Department of Education.  A group of pupils from Gibraltar Primary Schools, accompanied by a local historian, an SNLSA and our Project Co-ordinator for the Ministry, visited the school for the day. The school had been decorated with Gibraltar and Union flags and Gibraltar-related displays. Our pupils had the opportunity to share their knowledge of Gibraltar with their peers in Morocco, whilst participating in dynamic classroom activities.

I am already witnessing much progress and we will continue to work to further knowledge and understanding between our communities and our rich cultures. 

One small but significant example was the successful return to Morocco’s Forestry Development

Centre in Asilah of a satellite tag on a Rüppell’s Vulture that sadly drowned in trying to cross the Strait and washed up at Camp Bay.  The network we now have with Morocco resulted in this rapid and successful cooperation.

 

Commercial links

Madam Speaker, I am in contact with the Gibraltar representative office of Banque Populaire, the main bank in Morocco.  Matters of common interest are being discussed with the manager, Imane El Haraki, such as how the bank can assist Gibraltar businesses wishing to trade in Morocco, and Moroccan businesses with an interest in working in Gibraltar.

We are also exploring future links between our finance Centre and Casablanca’s, and tapping possible external finance for commercial work between Gibraltarian, Moroccan and UK businesses.  

 

Moroccan Community

I must also mention the relevance in this of my work with the community in Gibraltar of Moroccan origin.  I keep in constant touch with this community, and my office offers assistance whenever possible in dealing with any issues that they may have.

 

CONSTITUENCY

Madam Speaker, I continue to hold “Town Hall” meetings in my South District Constituency, where valuable matters have been raised, discussions held, and solutions found. The meetings are well supported by residents who are always willing to share their concerns and their vision for this area of Gibraltar. Positive feedback has been received on some of the issues resolved while other issues raised are in progress, particularly, matters relating to traffic which form part of a holistic traffic plan for the area.

The meetings offer open dialogue and discussion where constituents can raise any matter that may influence their way of life, providing liaison between the citizen and Government bodies. 

I very much enjoy these meetings, Madam Speaker.  They are showing that they provide a valuable interaction directly with Government and allow for more widespread engagement by citizens.

 

LEGISLATION 

The past year and across my portfolio, there have been over 50 legislative instruments published.   In respect of my legislative programme for the coming year, I will be pursuing improvements to the Animals Act and the keeping of Animals Act, as well as publishing Regulations in respect of environmental governance, motor vehicle licensing and Education.

 

EDUCATION

Madam Speaker

I have had responsibility for Education for the best part of nine years, and no one can deny the positive changes that have taken place in this time, changes that continue as new challenges emerge.  This is not just with reference to real estate and new schools.  As the Chief Minister recognised yesterday, we have world-leading Education provision.  We leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all the children and young people in our schools have all the support that they need, no matter how complex these needs.  From nursery to postgraduate, we  care and look after them.  This is not matched anywhere else Madam Speaker.  And so, if it means that our budget goes over because we need additional support for a child, or because of the success of our students in obtaining places at university, I will not hold back in order for the Leader of the Opposition not to complain.  No.  Our children come first.

We are blessed in Gibraltar to have extraordinary teachers, from supplies and entry grades to heads, amazing SNLSAs and all the hard-working support and admin staff, in schools and centrally, strongly professional education advisers, and a hugely pro-active Teachers’ Union which, collectively make for an unmatched Education team.

 

Continuing to Invest in Pupil Wellbeing

Madam Speaker, the work we all do is, of course, for the children.  

Most importantly we are continuing our proactive ethos in nurturing wellbeing so that all children are better equipped to face adverse life situations. Our efforts remain firmly rooted in building the capacity of school staff to support children and young people experiencing social, emotional, and mental health difficulties, particularly those resulting from trauma, bereavement, or other vulnerabilities.

This year, we have extended and embedded this through ongoing professional dialogue, staff training, and focus groups. A wide array of targeted training has been delivered, including:

Bereavement through suicide

Setting up Nurture Groups 

Low arousal techniques and de-escalation

Sexual exploitation

Developmental trauma

The impact of screen time and social media

Mental Health First Aid Youth training (both general practitioner and MHFA England instructor-level)

Our close collaboration with the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) has continued. Operation Encompass Gibraltar (OpEG) remains active and impactful, enabling real-time information sharing with schools so that children affected by domestic abuse incidents receive timely, appropriate support – both overt and covert.

The Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) has continued to thrive and evolve with the additional support of an experienced teacher. This leadership capacity has enabled the team to work more intensively with at-risk children and young people impacted by trauma, loss, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, anxiety, and estrangement from families. TLC Outreach programmes have also benefited a number of young people and helped them access support.

We are establishing a new pre-16 pathway into the Gibraltar College, for a small cohort of Year 11 pupils who have disengaged from mainstream secondary education due to trauma, illness, or other complex needs. The aim is to re-engage these pupils through a personalised and meaningful educational programme that rebuilds their confidence and in turn supports their academic progress. Each Young Person will follow a personalised learning plan including Level 1 Maths and English, elements of Health and Social Care and the development of other skills through individualised learning projects. Pupil wellbeing and safeguarding are central to this programme, with a dedicated member of staff from the existing TLC team assigned to provide support to these young people.

Importantly, I can report that work has commenced on a Children’s Wellbeing Bill which will seek to enshrine in law the principle that the well-being of our children is not peripheral to education— it is central to it.  It will bring Gibraltar into alignment with progressive standards being set across England and Wales through certain aspects of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill in advance of the UK.  It represents a bold, compassionate step forward—one that puts the mental health, emotional resilience, and holistic development of our young people on equal footing with academic attainment.  

The Children’s Wellbeing Act will require schools to implement clear wellbeing policies, designate lead mental health staff, and ensure that staff are adequately trained to support the social and emotional development of pupils. Whilst this is already something that our Department of Education and our teaching professionals are carrying out, this Act, once passed will give those policies a statutory basis to better protect the educational landscape for future generations.

 

The legislation will aim to remove barriers to opportunities in schools, support children with complex needs, raise standards of teaching and embed a culture of care and support into the very fabric of our education system. Gibraltar’s young people deserve nothing less.

 

Attendance

School attendance has improved in Secondaries to be the highest since Covid, and has remained more or less stable in Primary.  Nevertheless, at below 90%, we feel that further improvement is needed.  Our Attendance Strategy has advanced significantly. This year, strategic oversight has been enhanced, enabling us to proactively reach and better support children and young people who are experiencing significant school-based anxiety and persistent absence. This centrally coordinated strategic work complements the embedded work of pastoral leads and staff in schools and ensures there is consistent follow-up and support for pupils with the highest need.

 

Safeguarding

Safeguarding practices continue to be strengthened across the education service. In addition to continued training, inter-agency collaboration, and consultative work, we have this year delivered bespoke safeguarding training to all SNLSAs, equipping them with the skills and confidence to respond effectively in their settings. Our close working relationship with the Care Agency, RGP, and GHA underpins our efforts to ensure that all children are protected. 

This includes:

Regular multi-agency safeguarding meetings

Monthly reviews with children’s residential services and regular meetings with social workers, early intervention teams, and senior leaders within the Care Agency

Implementation of the Managing Allegations framework

School staff have played a key role in early intervention work, including emotional support to children, families and carers; support for families through material assistance; referring to supportive charities; and signposting to services

Schools and the advisory team have actively contributed to child protection efforts by attending fostering and adoption panels, scheduled case meetings, making appropriate referrals, and working closely with social workers to support children and their families. 

A significant new initiative this year is the launch of Targeted Youth Support (TYS), in collaboration with the Gibraltar Youth Service. TYS provides tailored interventions for young people who have disengaged from education and require structured support to re-engage, rebuild their confidence, and find positive focus.  

In addition, the Gibraltar Schools’ Mental Health Festival entered its third year and continues to grow in visibility and reach. This year's focus was the impact of screen time and social media on young people. Through a wide range of workshops and events – including sessions for pupils, parents, and professionals – this festival provided a valuable opportunity for awareness-raising and skill-building. Contributions from visiting specialists enhanced the scope and quality of the programme, with particular appreciation extended to GIBSAMs for their ongoing sponsorship and support.

Developing and Enhancing our SEND Provision and Support

As in previous years, the number of children presenting with additional needs continues to rise. In response, I have worked with the team at the Department to proactively plan and invest in increasingly inclusive, needs-led provision across all sectors.

In September 2024, a new LSF was opened in the lower years of St Bernard’s Upper Primary School, allowing children requiring additional support to remain in their catchment area, with siblings and peers. As a result, all schools except one Lower Primary (SBLP) and one Upper Primary (SJUP) now have LSFs in place. Conversations are already underway to identify suitable spaces within the two remaining schools, with a view to achieving full LSF coverage in the near future.

Our LSF expansion has helped reduce reliance on centralised specialist settings and supported the inclusion of more children in their local schools. The formalisation of our Outreach and Inreach Policy ensures that transitions between settings are well planned and responsive to individual pupil needs. This year, St Martin’s has collaborated with more schools than ever before, a natural result of this increased LSF presence. 

As always, we welcome feedback from parents, carers and families, and continue striving to work closely with them in the best interests of their children, using their feedback and lived experiences to better improve our service delivery.

We remain committed to early intervention. Our close working relationship with the GHA, particularly with paediatric therapists, has enabled us to identify children who would benefit from attending the Early Birds Nursery (EBN) from the age of 2. This early access to support helps secure the best start to their educational journey. We have also built strong new links with the GHA’s paediatric speech and language therapy team, which have already yielded tangible benefits for early years learners.

St Martin’s School continues to benefit from the school’s partnership with a headteacher from an Outstanding-rated UK special school, a collaboration which supports the school’s development in key areas such as curriculum, policy, and resource planning. Opportunities for reciprocal visits between local and UK schools are being explored to provide bespoke CPD and foster professional networks.

At a systems level, we have:

Reviewed and standardised SEN Registers and Timelines across schools

Introduced Individual Pupil Profiles (IPPs) as a unified replacement for Individual

Educational Plans (IEPs) and Individual Behaviour Plans (IBPs)

Provided targeted training on SEN record-keeping and data management for SENCos

Continued developing a personalised, holistic approach to support based on need rather than diagnosis

This year we introduced three school-based Nurture Group provisions, underpinned by the

Nurture UK framework, to support pupils with emotionally based school avoidance and other Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. These groups complement the expanded use of low arousal techniques, which were embedded further through staff CPD, parent workshops, and training during Education 2025.

 

Other key developments this year include:

Appointment of a third school nurse based at St Martin’s School, also supporting the wider Wessex Campus

The use of the St Martin’s underground car park for pupil drop-off, improving safety and traffic flow

The addition of a temporary Educational Psychologist on a one-year contract to boost team capacity; while two individuals recruited to undertake traineeships begin their training in the UK next year.

We have also strengthened our engagement with national and international partners:

Supported the Neurodevelopmental Pathway by streamlining data-sharing protocols and contributing to shared systems for assessment and referral

Liaised with a UK local authority vision service to improve support for pupils with visual impairments

Continued close collaboration with St Christopher’s EYFS Unit, supporting military families with smooth transitions into local schools

We remain deeply committed to professional development:

Monthly Inclusion Workshops continue to support teachers and SNLSAs

CPD opportunities have included training in Team Teach, LASER, HCEST, phonic interventions, and manual handling

Interoception-focused workshops were delivered by international expert Kelly Mahler, with plans to embed the curriculum more widely next year

Dedicated training and clear expectations have been communicated regarding SEND Allowance 1 and 2 roles

The work on the SENDCo Review is ongoing, and I believe is finally very close to resolution.

Additional priorities and achievements this year include:

Ongoing use of Proloquo2Go and other AAC tools to support communication

Annual Year 4 dyslexia screening, with parent feedback now built into the follow-up processes

Continued Enhanced Transition Support for key phase changes

Growing post-16 opportunities at the Gibraltar College for St Bernadette’s service users

Continued development of Access Arrangements, led by our Specialist Assessor, with JCQ compliance fully embedded

Partnership working with the Care Agency, GHA, GSLA and Supported Needs and Disability Office, including annual reviews for programmes such as Stay and Play

We continue to have very positive multi-agency working relationships with colleagues who are members of the SEN Assessment Panel and the Children’s Disability Panel.

Strong inter-agency links with MOD education leads to ensure clarity of enrolment processes for children of military families

Our Educational Psychology team has worked closely alongside colleagues in the GHA to deliver training to support parents and families, such as the National Autistic Society EarlyBird Plus Programme and the Teen Life programme.

The Team has also set up links with Dallas, Pennsylvania-based Kelly Mahler, Occupational Therapist, Educator, and author of the Interoception Curriculum, who, through our 2 day servicewide INSET, delivered training to many members of our staff. 

This training introduced the theory and evidence-base that facilitates the discovery and validation of each person’s unique interoception experience, which in turn empowers people with selfunderstanding, self-regulation, health, wellbeing, and social connection. The Department of Education also linked up with educators in Furze Down School, a special education school in Buckinghamshire, England, so that our staff could learn from the lessons Furze Down learnt from their journey in introducing Mahler’s interoception curriculum to their school.

The Education Act has been updated to reflect clearer SEND language, processes and appeals procedures. Further amendments are planned as the wider legislation continues to be reviewed and refined.

Across all our work, our focus remains firmly on needs-led, personalised provision, rooted in close collaboration with families, schools, and partner agencies.

School Counsellors

Now approaching its fifth anniversary, the School Counselling Service continues to be a vital part of our holistic pupil support strategy. The service is well established across schools and is recognised for its trusted, confidential support to children and young people. Engagement levels remain high, with many pupils actively seeking and benefiting from the support offered.

All four members of the team have now completed a course in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and Parenting Practice — an important step in strengthening the therapeutic tools available. This approach brings parents and carers into the therapeutic space, allowing for more integrated and family-centred care. It also aligns closely with local referral trends, which continue to highlight family and domestic tensions as a significant underlying factor in pupil mental health concerns.

In partnership with the Gibraltar Health Authority’s Gibraltar Young Minds (GYM) service, we have co-developed a new Non-Urgent Pathway for Mental Health and Behavioural Concerns in schools. This novel model clearly delineates responsibilities:

School Counsellors act as custodians for pupil mental health referrals

SENCos lead on referrals involving behavioural concerns

A three-month pilot of this pathway is currently underway, involving regular six-weekly operational meetings between stakeholders. Terms of Reference have been agreed, and the meetings are used to discuss pupils of mutual concern and to develop integrated care plans as appropriate.

The School Counselling team’s use of the Rhadar database system has continued to enhance secure documentation and case management. Procured via UK-based Swift Digital, Rhadar supports safe, contemporaneous recording of therapeutic sessions and allows for seamless documentation across school sites. The annual subscription of £1,600 has been secured for the coming year, and the platform is now embedded into the team’s daily practice.

Quarterly reports generated from Rhadar will include:

Volume and type of referrals

Sector-by-sector breakdown

Waiting times

Emerging themes and patterns

These reports are already helping to inform planning, resourcing, and service delivery. Early data continues to highlight the prominence of family-based concerns, which will guide future interagency collaboration and possible expansion of therapeutic pathways.

The team also continues to support the development of Gibraltar’s future therapeutic workforce by offering placement opportunities to students enrolled on the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling at Gibraltar College. To date, three aspiring therapists have completed their practical placements under the team’s guidance, gaining valuable real-world experience.

Hydrotherapy (St Martin’s)

The Hydrotherapy programme at St Martin’s School continues to thrive, providing meaningful and personalised physical support to a growing number of pupils. The facility is now an established part of the school’s therapeutic offer and is being used more extensively thanks to improved scheduling, staffing, and training.

Over the academic year St Martin’s staff have been able to increase the use of the pool, with the resource now being used to full capacity three days a week. Recently, this therapeutic support has been offered to some of the school’s youngest pupils who were identified as having needs that would be effectively supported through access to hydrotherapy. The beneficial impact to children of this therapeutic support is remarkable, with positive developments in the children being observed very shortly after sessions commence, and parents, especially those of children with more complex mobility needs, providing very positive feedback about the ongoing sessions their child is accessing.

Every month, the pool is scheduled to have physiotherapist-led and school-led hydrotherapy sessions. Hydrotherapy sessions run by the school are teacher-led after an initial assessment from the physiotherapist. The below table provides you with an overview of the number of sessions that have been on offer every month, and the number of children accessing this provision. I include the table for your reference. You might want to say something like: The number of sessions scheduled and the corresponding number of children accessing this provision has grown steadily over the academic year. Whilst the academic year commenced with 2 physio-led sessions taking place in September, the month of May saw 53 sessions taking place, 21 of which were led by physios and a further 32 were led by teachers.

This year saw the launch of a significant Phase 2 milestone: the introduction of an ‘in-reach’ component, allowing selected pupils from mainstream schools to access hydrotherapy sessions following a formal process of referral, assessment, and parental consent. This model ensures that specialist support is delivered to those most in need whilst also enabling children and young people from other schools, who are identified by GHA and school staff as having needs that would benefit from access to this therapy, to access this service. This is in keeping with our wider strategic focus on inclusion and on ensuring equity of provision, wherever possible, for the children and young people in our service.

Early indicators show strong engagement and positive feedback from staff, pupils, and families.

Teacher-led sessions have also increased steadily over the academic year, offering greater flexibility and building school-based autonomy in delivering the programme. This allows our Physiotherapy colleagues to focus more on assessments, reviews, and specialist input, while expanding overall capacity.

In parallel, School Counsellors and members of the School Team are currently exploring how hydrotherapy could be used to support mental health and emotional wellbeing, especially for pupils experiencing anxiety or difficulties with emotional regulation. Early pilot sessions are being discussed and will be evaluated for broader rollout potential.

Key operational and safety features remain in place:

Water quality testing and routine maintenance continue regularly, ensuring the pool remains fully compliant with health and safety standards

Looking ahead, we are excited to be offering a Halliwick Foundation Course in October 2025, delivered by a UK-accredited provider. Upon completion of this four-day course, a further 12 members of staff will be certified in hydrotherapy. This will:

Build internal staffing resilience

Expand delivery options

Promote inclusion across education settings

These forward-looking developments highlight how the hydrotherapy facility has evolved from a school-based resource into a wider community asset, serving multiple stakeholders and improving outcomes for children with complex needs.

Investment in Staff Training

We continue to prioritise investment in high-quality professional development, empowering staff to adapt to the evolving needs of our learners and educational settings.

Our two-day Education 2025 training event was a major milestone this academic year, bringing together over 1000 staff from across the service to engage in more than 140 bespoke workshops. This large-scale training event enabled us to provide targeted sessions for different staff cohorts – including sessions for SNLSAs, SENCos and curriculum leaders – helping to ensure widespread dissemination of learning and best practice.

To support inclusive practice, we have reintroduced monthly inclusion workshops. These provide ongoing opportunities for staff to deepen their understanding of key issues such as traumainformed approaches, learning differences, and intervention strategies.

Our investment in LASER (Low Arousal and Systemic Emotional Regulation) training has continued across both mainstream schools and St Martin’s School. Senior leadership teams have been fully engaged in this training, helping embed the ethos and philosophy of calm, inclusive classroom environments at a whole-school level. This has included training for both staff and parents.

In addition:

Low Arousal training sessions were offered during Education 2025 to extend access across the service.

LASER training workshops for parents were held to support alignment of strategies between home and school.

HCEST and Team Teach training sessions were offered to help staff support pupils with emotional regulation needs.

We have also expanded our engagement with international experts. This year, Kelly Mahler, a specialist Occupational Therapist from the US, delivered training on Interoception, helping staff better understand how internal sensory awareness underpins emotional regulation. This work will be developed further in the coming academic year, as we explore how the Interoception Curriculum can be embedded across our settings.

In addition to inclusive practice, we have also focused on core subject areas:

A service-wide English improvement strategy is now underway, led by an external consultant and supported by structured phonics training across all key stages.

Curriculum working parties for Mathematics, English, Science and Spanish continue to meet, driving improvements in subject-specific pedagogy and curriculum design.

A key objective for the coming year will be to develop the work of these curriculum groups further, with a particular focus on actively exploring how to enhance the teaching and learning of Mathematics across all educational sectors.

Our support for Early Career Teachers continues through a comprehensive two-year induction programme, bolstered by mentorship and structured contributions from Advisory Team members and senior leaders. 

Finally, we continue to support training across HMGoG’s departments. Funding contributions have been made to support courses across the Public Service, including for structural engineering, health and safety, leadership qualifications, CIPS procurement, and child protection. This also includes support for BTEC Level 1 Cadet Force and Child Protection Committee training programmes, reflecting our commitment to community-wide learning and development.

 

Reviewing and Improving our Staffing Structure

We continue to take a strategic and long-term approach to refining our staffing structure across the education system, ensuring that it is equitable, responsive, and aligned with our service priorities.

At St Martin’s School, the enhanced leadership structure introduced last year has matured into a well-functioning team. Their collective leadership has contributed significantly to improved strategic planning, strengthened communication with families, and better home-school relationships. Staff morale is high, with a strong sense of shared purpose evident across the school. The school is well placed to continue evolving its provision to meet the growing complexity and volume of pupil needs.

Our strategic work continues with the aim of ensuring that Teaching and Learning Responsibility

(TLR) roles across schools are fairly distributed.  Previously pending TLR posts have been filled at Bayside and Westside.  The remaining TLR posts are under review, with the majority expected to be resolved next term, and some awaiting a more strategic longer-term analysis.

In tandem, we are reviewing the management structure at the Gibraltar College, ensuring that it aligns with future curriculum planning and the needs of the new College site.

 

Other Staff Matters 

In other developments in the schools, the School Attendant role has undergone a structural shift, reclassified from industrial to non-industrial. This aligns the role more appropriately with its evolving managerial duties and facilitates improved workforce planning and progression.  I cannot emphasise too much the importance in our schools of School Attendants – who we used to call Caretakers.

This academic year, we have taken a number of steps to further stabilise our supply workforce. A total of 70 part-time supply cleaners were recruited in January 2024, and we have since regularised a number of these staff into permanent posts where vacancies existed. This approach strengthens the resilience of school cleaning teams and creates greater job security for employees. A full review of the school cleaner establishment is underway and will be informed by the physical measurement of all schools.

We have also established a supply pool for School Secretaries, adding important flexibility and continuity to essential school administrative services, enabling schools to maintain smooth operations during staff absences.

In order to expand capacity, a new Bus Driver/Support Services Assistant role was created at St Martin’s School, which is helping to meet the transport needs of a growing pupil population.

We have also made notable progress with our SNLSAs. A dedicated working party – including

SNLSA representatives, union officials, Industrial Relations colleagues and senior staff from the Department of Education – has been meeting to ensure that this review is robust, evidence-based, and informed by the practical realities of the SNLSA role. A survey of SNLSA roles and duties has been carried out to inform this process, and we continue to work within the agreed timeline toward presenting HMGoG with the findings of this review.

A similar review of the work of Lunchtime Attendants is also nearing completion.

Our commitment to valuing all staff is further demonstrated by the continued development of professional pathways. The enhanced induction programme for SNLSAs remains in place, including essential safeguarding training and targeted sessions tailored to their deployment, such as phonics, manual handling, and intervention strategies.

We have introduced a Feedback and Improvement Plan process for SNLSAs and secretaries on fixed-term contracts, to ensure their experiences and development are meaningfully supported. Our Placement Record system continues to offer a centralised way to document the professional journey of new entrants, capturing their contributions to schools and ensuring these are recognised and aligned with departmental development goals.

We have revised a number of job descriptions for industrial and support roles to better reflect current responsibilities and practices - including posts such as Textiles Assistant, Art Assistant, and School Bus Driver. 

Finally, the collaborative relationship with trade unions continues to evolve positively.  The Department meets regularly with representatives from NASUWT, UNITE and GGCA.  Monthly meetings with NASUWT have helped us to gain a closer working relationship with the Teachers’ Union which has provided a conduit through which to channel particular matters of concern, and which has also allowed us to address areas of specific interest to the Union and its members. 

The Social Partnership Forum with the Teacher’s Union has recently been re-established and will help to address matters of particular relevance to the Department of Personnel and Development and the Chief Secretary’s Office. In addition, the Department’s relationship with UNITE - supported by regular meetings – is vital in resolving staff matters proactively.

Summer Hours

As has been announced previously, we are reviewing summer hours in schools – usually referred to in the community as ‘half days’.  The public consultation showed overwhelming support for the review and so we are to discuss suggested changes with staff with a view to introducing a new regime from Easter 2026.

Curriculum

Our ongoing curriculum development work remains focused on expanding opportunity, strengthening progression, and aligning our educational offer with the evolving needs of our learners and community.

This year we have continued to build on our efforts in both vocational and academic curriculum pathways. In particular:

A new Level 3 Sports Studies Vocational Qualification is planned for introduction at the Gibraltar College in September 2025, expanding our post-16 vocational offer and supporting student progression into sport-related fields.

Planning and collaboration with the Gibraltar Academy of Music & Performing Arts continues, to deliver the CVQ BTEC Music Performance and Performing Arts programmes.

We are maintaining our support for vocational Hair and Beauty training, delivered through MayFair on Main.

A 2-year City & Guilds Level 1 Award in Construction Skills was introduced last September.

 

Gibraltar Identity and Culture

The Department of Education is also looking to develop a centralised and consolidated library of reliable and accurate information about Gibraltar, with a view to making this readily available to all its schools and staff so as to facilitate and enhance the work of educators, building on resources and curriculum plans to which each teacher and school already has access. The longer-term plan is to then create high-quality resources which would directly support learning and teaching of Gibraltarian Culture, history and language. We will share more details about this exciting project in due course.

Our work on assessment and reporting also continues to evolve:

We have updated the Lower and Upper Primary end-of-year reporting templates to include a dedicated section for Science, acknowledging its status as a core subject.

Examples of high-quality report comments have been shared with schools to guide and enhance teacher reflections on pupil progress.

The Pupil Profile Common Framework is now in place across all Lower Primary schools, enabling more consistent tracking of progress and support needs in the early years.

Our Digital transformation of curriculum processes has also advanced:

The school trip application process has been fully digitised, allowing for faster submission, more secure documentation storage, and streamlined administrative workflows.

In support of the public examination process, we have introduced clearer and more robust systems for the handling and delivery of examination scripts, ensuring security, accuracy, and efficiency throughout the process.

We have also continued to work closely with the UK college sector, visiting institutions to inform our curriculum planning for the new Gibraltar College. This engagement is shaping future programme design and helping us ensure that the curriculum offer remains relevant, modern, and fit for purpose.

Sport and the importance of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle remain integral aspects of our curriculum. In partnership with various local sports associations, we have supported the reintroduction and maintenance of inter-school sports competitions across the Upper Primary sector. These events have been enthusiastically embraced by pupils, staff, and families alike, promoting physical activity, teamwork, and community spirit.

And we have revised our approach to EAL (English as an Additional Language) provision, improving identification processes and tailoring interventions more effectively to meet the needs of learners for whom English is not their first language.

 

Scholarships

We continue to enhance and streamline our scholarship processes to ensure they are equitable, efficient, and aligned with the needs of both students and the wider community.

As of June 2025;

We have received 273 school leaver applications for September.

We continue to support 654 continuing students already enrolled in higher education courses.

This academic year, we have further developed our administrative systems and student support mechanisms:

Application forms for all types of scholarships have been updated to reflect current criteria and improve accessibility

An Information Handbook for Discretionary and Distance Learners has been published to support HMGoG-sponsored students with clear, tailored guidance

A Mitigating Circumstance Form has been introduced to better support students experiencing challenges during their higher education journey, allowing for a more compassionate and structured response

Hardship applications have likewise moved online, improving access, record-keeping, and transparency

We have reviewed the residency requirements.

Work is also underway to review the Scholarship Schedules and Student Undertakings Legislation, with the aim of modernising and clarifying key elements to ensure they reflect current expectations and responsibilities.

In terms of oversight and accountability, we have:

Strengthened efforts to recover outstanding scholarship debts, implementing a more robust and systematic process

Streamlined the collection of Qualification Award Certificates, ensuring that our records of qualifications achieved are up to date and complete

Improved follow-up processes for students who have not successfully completed the qualifications for which they were funded

Climate Action, ClimAct and Net Zero

We remain firmly committed to embedding sustainable practices across our schools and to empowering young people to take meaningful action in response to the climate emergency, in keeping with the requirements of the Education Act.

Now in its fourth year, the ClimACT Schools Gibraltar Award Scheme continues to grow. The scheme celebrates schools that actively embed environmental awareness into their daily routines and culture. The creativity and commitment demonstrated by pupils and staff was again evident during World Environment Day, which showcased the depth of climate literacy across the school system and the enthusiasm of children to lead and participate in positive change.

Our Net Zero Plan remains a departmental priority, and a number of its core strands have advanced this academic year:

We have continued to roll out Carbon Literacy training to staff, increasing understanding and building a low-carbon culture across educational settings

A Climate Action Policy and bespoke curriculum for Gibraltar have been drafted, with a consultative phase involving school staff and key stakeholders scheduled for the new academic year

In addition, the Department has continued to convene a team of Net Zero Learner Ambassadors from Bayside, Westside, and Gibraltar College. These articulate and motivated pupils meet regularly with senior staff from both the Department of Education and the Department of the Environment, contributing their views and proposals on key environmental topics. The forum offers a purposeful and sustainable platform for youth voice in climate policy. The Ambassadors met over 6 times this academic year, and their contributions have helped shape both departmental policy and wider community conversations on climate action.

Looking ahead, we will continue to prioritise:

Strategic investment in training and curriculum design that reinforces environmental responsibility

The use of school projects and pupil leadership opportunities to amplify youth engagement

Alignment with HMGoG’s broader climate objectives and partnerships across government

 

Technology, Data Management Systems, Relevant Training and Increasing GDPR Compliance

We continue to make significant investments in technology to enhance the learning experience of all pupils and to ensure that our schools remain future-ready.

This academic year, we have expanded the availability of SMART Boards, Interactive TVs, desktop computers, and Sphero robots, supporting interactive and engaging teaching across the curriculum. The number of iPads in schools has continued to rise, with our long-term aim remaining the same: to ensure that every pupil has access to a personal device, supporting digital literacy and independent learning.  This is of course balanced with our policy on screen time and personal mobile devices to which I will refer later.

To support greater efficiency and accuracy in data management, we are planning to roll out a Management Information System (MIS) platform across all schools, which will centralise pupil information across the service, improve access, analysis and sharing of data, reduce duplication and the risk of error, and streamline communication between schools and the Department of Education’s central office.

This is a critical step in consolidating data across our wide-ranging and multi-sited education estate, and will significantly improve daily operations for school leaders, administrators, and support staff alike.

Our data protection and compliance work continues in earnest:

Meetings have been held with SLTs and central office staff to map data processes, raise awareness of GDPR principles, and ensure full staff understanding of data responsibilities

A number of schools have hosted dedicated INSET days on GDPR, with the aim of modelling best practice and increasing service-wide compliance

We are actively refining our data procedures and policies to build on this foundation and ensure our approach remains current, thorough, and legally compliant

Alongside this, we are developing a comprehensive suite of policies for all departmental and school-related procedures. Many of these are now complete, and the remainder are being prioritised in alignment with operational needs and strategic goals.

We continue to support the use of technology in communication and learning platforms. SeeSaw continues to be widely used across Primary schools, with additional CPD offered this year to support staff in using the platform more effectively for pupil engagement, assessment, and homeschool communication.

 

Artificial Intelligence

Recognising the growing influence of artificial intelligence across society and industry, we are actively exploring how AI can enhance the delivery and strategic direction of Education in Gibraltar. 

At the classroom level, AI holds real promise as a tool for teachers, enabling more responsive and personalised approaches to learning. From generating tailored feedback to adapting resources for different learner profiles, AI has the potential to support more efficient, engaging, and inclusive pedagogical practices.

There is also a growing imperative to prepare Gibraltar’s learners not just to use AI, but to understand and critically evaluate it. Work is beginning to explore how AI literacy and development skills can be meaningfully embedded within the taught curriculum, enabling pupils to become informed users - and, where appropriate, confident creators - of AI tools and systems.

In parallel, the Department is considering how AI might also support operational processes, such as automating repetitive administrative tasks, improving internal workflows, and supporting early identification of student needs through data-informed insight.

As this work progresses, the Department remains committed to ensuring that any use of AI is ethical, secure, human-centred, and compliant with Gibraltar’s data protection framework - always enhancing, rather than replacing, the professional judgement and care that define effective education.

 

Screen Time Strategy

The Department of Education has been working closely with colleagues from the GHA, Public Health, and the University of Gibraltar to develop a coordinated, interagency, Gibraltar-wide strategy on screen time. Following numerous strategic meetings and careful planning, the first phase of this work focused on gaining a better understanding of children’s behaviours and mindsets. To achieve this, two surveys were rolled out with local stakeholders.

The first survey invited parents and carers to provide feedback on their child(ren)’s interaction with screens. The second was a comprehensive survey conducted with a significant proportion of all secondary-aged children in Gibraltar. The results of both surveys have now been carefully considered and will inform the coordinated next steps in this strategy, which ultimately seeks to provide the community with age-appropriate guidance while also advising on the impact and potential consequences of children’s screen use.

 

AEDs in Public Schools

All schools now have direct access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). This second tranche of deployment was made possible thanks to the continued generosity of the Gibraltar Cardiac Association, which donated the devices to:

St Mary’s Lower Primary

St Paul’s Lower Primary

The Gibraltar College

The Hebrew Primary School

Bleak House Training Centre

The University

Key operational features of the initiative include:

Devices are installed in external, publicly accessible locations to ensure availability after school hours and during school holidays

The Gibraltar Ambulance Service (GAS) continues to conduct monthly maintenance checks to confirm all units are functional and compliant

Staff training, provided by St John Ambulance, is well underway and is expected to be completed by June 2025. This training has been offered at no cost to the taxpayer

A train-the-trainer model has been adopted to ensure ongoing internal training, with the intention that schools will eventually cascade learning to other staff and to pupils, where age-appropriate

This project aligns with the broader national strategy to position AEDs in areas of high population density. Schools are particularly well suited to this effort, given their central locations and high levels of footfall.

We are deeply grateful to our partners - the Gibraltar Cardiac Association, Gibraltar Ambulance Service, and St John Ambulance - for their support in making this vital initiative a success.

 

Emergency Response Planning for Schools

The Department of Education continues to work in close partnership with the Office of Civil Contingencies and the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) Counter Terrorism Security Advisor to further strengthen emergency preparedness across all schools.

This year, significant progress has been made in the development and refinement of Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) tailored to the specific layout, risks, and context of each school.

Key developments include:

Participation in         Table   Top      Exercises        (TTXs)             and      Live     Exercise          (LIVEXs)

Schools have continued to participate in tabletop exercises (TTXs) coordinated centrally by senior staff at the Main Office of the Department of Education, with Education’s Silver Team participating in the live exercises (LIVEXs) organised and led by the Civil Contingencies Coordinator. These exercises are crucial opportunities for schools and the senior staff at the Main Office to reflect on their existing ERPs, evaluate response readiness, and improve protocols and procedures in a controlled but realistic setting.

JESIP Training A total of eight senior staff members have now completed the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP) Commanders Course, with a further two candidates already identified to undertake the training in September 2025. These individuals have been drawn from both Silver (tactical) and Bronze (operational) command levels, ensuring a well-prepared and coordinated chain of response across education settings.

In addition, Gold (strategic) and Silver (tactical) members have completed other civil contingency training on defensible decision-making and logging courses. ● Involvement of Wider School Teams

 

The emergency preparedness agenda is being progressively cascaded across school teams. School Secretaries and Attendants have now participated in tabletop exercises, and Head Teachers have been given target dates by which all school staff must be briefed and confident in their ERP responsibilities. The next phase will be for all schools to complete some INSET training on Civil Contingencies and their ERP.

The much-publicised incident this year at Westside, although it fortunately proved to be minor, served as a reminder as to the importance of this work.

 

At present, schools are prioritising:

○ Evacuation procedures

○ Invacuation strategies

○ Lockdown protocols

 

School Audit and Risk Assessment

A full audit of all schools has been conducted, resulting in a comprehensive report and recommendations document that has been compiled. This report outlines:

○ Individual school vulnerabilities and risk ratings

○ Suggested improvements to infrastructure, communication systems, and emergency planning

○ Development of school maps containing critical information and photographs, with Technical Services support

○ Recommendations for works planning and budget allocations, based on the assessed level of need and urgency

These findings will now inform both departmental action and inter-agency collaboration.

In additional, and significantly, I have formed a working group on health and safety with representatives from the Department and NASUWT.

The Department remains committed to ensuring that all school staff are fully informed, trained, and empowered to respond effectively to a range of emergency situations. This includes close coordination with the RGP, GHA, and Civil Contingencies to ensure that all response plans are current, tested, and proportionate.

 

Inter-agency Working

Inter-agency collaboration continues to underpin our work across education settings, ensuring a joined-up approach to the care, safeguarding, development, and wellbeing of Gibraltar’s children and young people. Over the past year, we have continued to deepen our partnerships across sectors, delivering integrated support that meets the increasingly complex needs of our learners.

Key developments and ongoing collaborations include:

Multi-agency             Safeguarding Collaboration

We maintain close, regular contact with the Care Agency, including:

Monthly reviews with children’s residential services

○ Attendance at case meetings, fostering and adoption panels

○ Participation in early intervention and senior strategy meetings

○ Active engagement in the Managing Allegations Framework

These partnerships ensure that safeguarding is approached holistically and that our responses are timely, informed, and sensitive to the wider family context.

Working         with    the      Gibraltar         Health            Authority       (GHA)

Our collaboration with the GHA has been particularly strong in the areas of:

Immunisation campaigns, health screening, and wellbeing initiatives in schools - this has been the result of very successful collaboration with Public Health Gibraltar

○ Paediatric therapy support for pupils with additional needs, especially those in Early Years and specialist settings

○ Continuing support in the Neurodevelopmental Pathway

○ Mental health pathway development, including the School Counselling service

We also continue to engage proactively with Gibraltar Young Minds (GYM), particularly through the new Non-Urgent Mental Health Pathway, ensuring the right support is offered in the right place, at the right time.

Targeted Youth Support (TYS) In collaboration with the Gibraltar Youth Service, we are launching the TYS programme to provide tailored support for disengaged young people who are struggling with emotional wellbeing, social development, or educational access. Support is offered on a voluntary basis, either one-to-one or in small groups, and is built on trust, confidentiality, and mutual respect. The programme will continue to evolve based on individual need and positive feedback from participants.

Operation Encompass Gibraltar (OpEG) Our partnership with the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) remains vital. Through OpEG, schools receive timely, direct communication from the RGP following incidents of domestic abuse, ensuring that staff can offer both overt and discreet support to affected children as soon as they arrive at school. This early notification system allows for immediate pastoral responses and trauma-informed care.

Support for Children in Military Families Our engagement with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has developed further this year, with improved communication protocols around the enrolment and transition of MOD pupils into the HMGoG system. Staff from St Christopher’s EYFS Unit work closely with our schools to ensure smooth transitions for children entering Year 1.

Annual            Coordination for       Stay     and      Play     Provision

Together with colleagues from the GSLA, Care Agency, and Supported Needs and Disability Office, we continue to review and plan the Stay and Play summer programme for pupils with complex needs. Schools provide up-to-date pupil profiles and support plans to ensure the grouping and delivery of the programme meets the children’s needs as they present now.

Strong inter-departmental and cross-sector relationships remain fundamental to the delivery of safe, inclusive, and responsive education in Gibraltar. Our collective focus remains on delivering needs-led support that addresses not just educational, but also social, emotional, and developmental needs, ensuring that no child is left behind.

Behaviour

Madam Speaker,

There has been considerable debate over the past year about pupil behaviour, how it is perceived and how it is dealt with, with concern communicated to me in particular by the Teachers’ Union.

Madam Speaker, the vast majority of our pupils and young people show exemplary behaviour and commitment and are regularly enriching us with good news on their activities and achievements, be it in initiatives like Young Enterprise, essay competitions, representation in the Youth Parliament, or in Sport, Dance, Music or Drama.  

I am extremely proud of our young people, and I often see them and talk to them in my very regular visits to schools and other activities, and in my discussions with their representatives.

But it is true that there are worrying instances of concerning behaviour outside what most would consider acceptable, and I will not play this down.  While these are mostly dealt with successfully using established procedures, some cases are serious enough to require other action.

There is a tension, Madam Speaker, not just in Gibraltar but in many other jurisdictions, between the punitive and restorative approaches to behaviour.  To help us negotiate this dilemma the Department and Industrial Relations have been involved in discussions with NASUWT in developing a new Behaviour Policy that will tackle this and ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff as well as the long term interests of the pupils and their families.

 

 

Mobile Phones 

In my many discussions with teachers, including head teachers, I become aware of the issues of greatest concern to us as a team as we work to improve the way children progress through Education.  Issues include a significant drop in school readiness, with children entering school in the early years with fewer motor skills, less communication ability and lack of toilet training. 

Possible reasons are regularly discussed and action planned.

One of the causes seems to be screen time.

Screens and mobile devices are the present and the future and are not going away.  We as educators need to recognise this.  It is vitally important to teach our young people to use these as tools and resources.  The responsible use of mobile devices, such as school iPads, in Education, is therefore important.  But they must also learn to not let them dominate their lives.  This is where we have to achieve a balance.

This brings me to the issue of mobile phones in schools.  There is a strict policy in our schools on the use of personal mobile phones, and I have seen for myself how strictly it is implemented.  We will be backing this policy in law, while being careful not to criminalise children.  But as usual there are challenges to enforcement.

I have mentioned before in this place that we have been studying the possibility of introducing the pouch system whereby children place their mobiles in signal-proof pouches during the school day.

Only last Friday the Director of Education and I were in a school in UK where we saw the success of this system.

To provide some data, since the system was introduced in their school January 2024, there has been:

An 80% reduction in the number of sanctions and after-school detentions.

A drop in truancy of over 80%.

Students are no longer spending extended periods of time in toilets or between lessons.

Reports of online abuse or cyber-bullying are at a 5-year low. 

Students have reported that the reason for this, is that they are now talking to each other more, they are socially-engaged and therefore events do not spiral like they do on social media.

 

 

In a recent staff survey, 

over 95% of teachers reported little misbehaviour in their lessons (compared to 88% at national level)

40% said there was no disruption (compared to 22% nationally)

Over 72% of staff are reporting that they are very content at work compared to a national benchmark of 57%.

 

Areas in which it is harder to measure, but where there has been a visible difference include:

Break times:  they are seeing noisier playtimes with students playing more, talking more and engaging in more play.

Pupil manners: Staff are reporting that pupils are politer; holding doors open etc. They believe this is due to students feeling more part of the school community and therefore engaging with it in a more positive and productive manner. 

Unannounced parent drop-ins: they are no longer seeing parents arriving at their reception unannounced asking to speak to a Senior leader - (because they had received a message from their child).

While it is in no way a ‘magic wand’ (or should I say a ‘magic pouch’), we are nevertheless convinced that it will make a differecne to student concentration and is likely to assist in improving behaviour.  Therfore we have decided to start the process of introducing the system in the new academic year aiming for full implementation in years 7 to 11 by next January.  We will of course engage with all stakeholders as we proceed.

Investment in the Education Estate

Madam Speaker, as all of us know, since being elected in 2011, this Government has built 10 new schools and significantly upgraded another, making in effect eleven of the fourteen schools be born again.  We are already in the process of achieving 100%.

Primary Schools

Madam Speaker, preparatory work has already commenced on the complete renovation of both St Joseph’s Upper and Lower Primaries, which will provide them with much needed space and facilities to the standard of all our new schools.

There will be a new Hebrew Primary School in keeping with our 2023 Manifesto Commitments.  

Air conditioning will be provided to the schools remaining in situ that still do not have this in every classroom, St Bernard’s Upper and Lower and St Paul’s.

 

The Gibraltar College

We have commenced preparation for building the new Gibraltar College at Europa Point, replacing the tired site at Ragged Staff, and allowing it to expand its offer and finally fulfil its potential as a centre of excellence in Education.  

The proposed site will offer expanded classroom capacity, improved workshop and practical learning spaces, and opportunities for collaboration with community and industry partners.

Senior College staff benefitted from a visit to UK Colleges which helped to consolidate their curriculum plans, which in turn also served to inform their ideas regarding staffing structures and building design.

Already the academic offer is increased and this year saw the introduction of much-needed daytime adult classes.  The move will also allow the College to better cater for young people with Supported Needs, something that it is working actively on, including assisting these young people in achieving employment. 

This move will provide a modern, fit-for-purpose facility tailored to meet the evolving needs of post-16 education and vocational training in Gibraltar.

 

St Martin’s

In addition, we are significantly expanding St Martin’s school, a School which the GSD is on record of saying it would not re-provide it from the old site at Glacis.  It will be increased by over 50% in number of classrooms at ground level with a further rooftop extension.

To bind the school over for a year, the old Strength Factory at Glacis is being converted to house the Early Birds Nursery this September.

We are now looking at other sites in order to build a new school to cater for the growing number of SEND pupils, by dividing St Martin’s into a lower and upper primary school.

As always, the staff of all the schools are very closely involved in planning their new and refurbished facilities.

 

Further information on the Education Estate Major Developments and Site Improvements

● St Martin’s School

The car park drop-off system introduced last year - enabling parents to safely drop children at the garage entrance with staff supervision - remains in effect and is working well. Contingency planning is being explored in preparation for upcoming garage-level works.

Plans to expand the St Martin’s School site are now underway. This development will cater for growing pupil numbers and includes the creation of additional classrooms, therapy and hygiene rooms, playground areas, staff facilities, and enhanced utilities infrastructure. The first phase, commencing summer 2025, will include the expansion of the rooftop area, installation of a new lift shaft, and a shaded staffroom.

In parallel, the Early Birds Nursery will relocate to a newly refurbished facility at Glacis Road (‘Strength Factory’) from September 2025. This relocation has been carefully planned in partnership with architects and planners to ensure a smooth transition and a facility that fully meets the needs of the children and staff.

 

St        Joseph’s         Lower and      Upper Primary

A full two-year refurbishment programme is planned across both schools:

○ Complete internal refurbishment of the Main ‘Barrack Block’ buildings

○ Construction of new classrooms with rooftop playgrounds, based on the manifesto conceptual designs

 

St        Paul’s Lower Primary Full installation of air conditioning in the remaining classrooms and specialist rooms is planned to take place in the coming financial year. We are also planning for the completion of the multi-phase upgrade over the next few academic cycles.  ● St Bernard’s Lower and Upper Primary

Full installation of air conditioning in remaining classrooms and specialist rooms ○ Resurfacing of the Upper playground

 

Other Site Enhancements Across Schools

Shading improvements at Notre Dame, St Anne’s Upper, St Mary’s, and Governor’s

Meadow/Bishop Fitzgerald are being considered

○ Anti-climbing fencing at Governor’s Meadow

○ Boiler replacements at Notre Dame, St Anne’s, and St Martin’s

○ Generator exhaust modifications at Notre Dame

○ An extensive telephone system upgrade is in the process of being completed at Bayside and Westside, to ensure every classroom / working space has a telephone line

○ New IT Suites for Design & Technology at Bayside/Westside to meet the growing technical needs of these subjects

Bleak House             Training          Centre

Refurbishments include:

Full renewal of Ground and First Floor toilets

○ Flooring upgrades in kitchen areas

○ Protective coatings for cloister timber balustrades

 

Increase In Teacher Staff Complement

Madam Speaker, Education continues to adapt to increasing demands, in opportunities offered, in increase in student population and in complexity of needs.  Therefore, I am pleased to announce that following a review of teaching needs, we will this year be increasing the complement of permanent teachers by a further 49 posts bringing the complement to an unprecedented 521.  

This will clearly increase opportunities for young teachers seeking permanent employment, helped also with the policy on supply workers that we are on the point of agreeing with NASUWT - The Teachers’ Union.

Rationale  

The increase in our teaching staff complement directly addresses a shortfall that has grown in recent years, a long-term reality shaped by several critical factors:

○ Rising pupil numbers across our school settings and particularly at St Martin’s.

○ Expansion of specialist learning support facilities (LSFs) and growing SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) demand across our service.

○ Curriculum development, with equal provision across Key Stage 3 in Bayside and Westside, and broader Key Stage 4 and 5 subject offerings for our young people.

○ A continued high number of mid-year enrolments.

● To date, the service has coped with these increasing demands through reliance on nonpermanent supply staff - a necessary but ultimately unsustainable approach. Responding to the increased needs, which evidently continue to exist, through non-permanent staffing offers little stability for schools and is ultimately unfair to the staff who are repeatedly required to fill the same roles year after year.

The adding of 49 additional permanent posts allows us to regularise staffing, reduce dependency on non-permanent contracts, and ensure a resilient, future-focused education system.  It will also give deserved security to more teachers.  By strengthening stability through permanent staffing, the service can invest more confidently in developing staff expertise. 

This investment is about more than resourcing – it’s about securing the life chances of our young people, especially those with additional needs. Ultimately, this is a strategic realignment – a necessary step to uphold quality, inclusion, and long-term service sustainability.

I am delighted to announce this significant growth in complement.

Finally for Education, Madame Speaker. I would like to inform the House that following discussions with UK Education Minister, and good friend of Gibraltar Stephen Morgan MP, we are strengthening the links with the UK Department for Education which will be providing access to their work and developing policies on such matters of great interest as are behaviour, wellbeing and Artificial Intelligence.  

 

THANKS 

Madam Speaker, as ever, I wish to express my thanks to all staff, including my amazing personal Ministry staff, every single one of them.  It is beyond doubt the best Ministry team that I have ever had.  They look after me, they work hard in support of my many areas of responsibility – I simply couldn’t do my job without them.   For those out there who decry the work of public servants – think again, they do so much for all of us.

Thanks too of course Madam Speaker to my Heads of Departments and CEOs and the staff in every area in all my departments, and my project managers, and so many more committed public servants, for their own hard work every day, and for their constant support.  Once again, extraordinary commitment.

My thanks too to all the schools and all the staff who invariably make me feel so very welcome in all my visits; to all the staff in the Agencies, Companies and contractors that work to my departments.  I want to once again thank the unions, NASUWT – the Teachers’ Union, Unite and GGCA.  Over the past year I have been personally involved in constructive discussions with NASUWT and Unite on a wide range of issues, most of them positively resolved, and I consider that we have an excellent understanding of each other and an excellent working relationship.  To the Chamber of Commerce and the GFSB.  To all the NGOs, environmental, heritage, transport – who are so committed to what they believe in.  

To all those many citizens appointed to voluntary commissions, boards, working groups, and committees for which I am responsible.  

And to those in other Departments with whom I have regular contact, such as the staff at No 6 including the Offices of the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary: a source of wisdom, pragmatic problem-solving and strength if ever there was one, and his staff, the Financial Secretary and his staff, the Chief Technical Officer and his, and the Civil Contingencies

Co-ordinator and his, the Director of Employment and her team, the Director of Personnel and Development and his team, the whole team at Industrial Relations, as well as the Attorney-General and all at the Gibraltar Law Offices, the Gibraltar Office in London and Brussels, the Press Office, LPS and ITLD and Digital Services, for their constant support and for always being there when I need them.  

Thanks also of course to the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister and all my Ministerial colleagues, as well as to you, Madam Speaker, the Clerk and the staff of Parliament.  

 

CONCLUSION

And so to end, Madam Speaker, after almost a decade and a half in this House, and being one of those current Members who has served the People of Gibraltar here continuously the longest (I think I am fifth in that line), I trust that I will be allowed to address matters a little wider than my portfolios.   

I have lots of memories of the frontier, Madam Speaker, a frontier open and closed.   I remember long, hot queues (without aircon) when I was a young child, before the closure in 1969.   And I remember the closed frontier years, with both fondness and frustration.  Fondness because it gelled us as a people.  Frustration because it was unjust punishment by a fascist regime to a people who just wanted to be true to its identity.  And because it made no sense to me as a teenager.

When the frontier re-opened years later, when I was in my mid-twenties, there were fears (mine included), about how renewed contact with Spain would somehow dilute our identity, make us less British, less Gibraltarian, how it would be the beginning of the end of  us as a people.  But of course, that never happened.   How could it?  Quite the contrary, we have developed and matured further as a people, not because we were forcibly separated, but because we know exactly who we are.

‘Osmosis’, as many called it, just couldn’t happen, because being British Gibraltarians, linked to our small but majestic homeland is not something that someone can chip away at, that anyone can soften.  It simply is not possible, come what may.

Throughout our history we have wanted good relations with our neighbours, many of them family, with mutual respect, like anyone would want with any neighbour.  While in the European Union, and as citizens of Europe, a citizenship that was wrenched away from us against our will, we felt entitled to flowing free across all European borders, including ours.  And with our Referendum vote we showed the world that we were confident in our identity, that freedom to travel as was our right could not threaten who we are.

It's taken a great deal, and a long time. But finally there was a breakthrough.

I remember a Cabinet meeting, some years ago now, when we heard of the possibility that, despite Brexit, we could achieve an agreement that would restore our right of movement while not affecting our sovereignty or identity.  It was hard to believe, and I was excited at the possibility, coming as it did after having to deal with the burdens that Brexit had brought us, burdens that many in the community to this day will not have realised, but burdens nonetheless.

I remember the days when discussions were progressing, optimism moving forward, then receding.  I remember Cabinet meetings throughout a Christmas period, taking down to the last minute one New Year’s Eve….  And then, constant back and forth, briefings and expectations, dashed one minute, restored the next, only to once again recede.  It was exciting, unnerving, then exciting again.  And for the main players, Fabian, Joseph, Michael, Daniel and the teams….  they will no doubt tell their story.   But from where I was sitting, I can say that the whole process had a profound effect on me, and on the business of Government – potentially catastrophic, in practice liberating.

Because finally, one hot Gibraltar June day, there was an outcome.  There’s a lot more detail. 

Detail that will emerge in years to come as memoires are written and intimate thoughts are shared.   But there was an outcome.  And I am very happy with it.

After living my whole life proud of being a British Gibraltarian, moulded by the closed frontier days of almost my entire youth, after spending my life loving my country and working for it, I am happy with the outcome.

My lifelong fight for the environment in Gibraltar stems from a love for my country.  Later, over the past nearly fourteen years, I have worked harder than ever for Gibraltar, and I would never support anything that in any way even slightly threatened to let any of that pass into the hands of anyone other than us.  

So now I look at the possibilities, the challenges.  Positive challenges, to be met with solutions that are good for Gibraltar, for our prosperity as a people, and not just in economic terms, but environmentally, socially and culturally too.

We like to use that oft-repeated phrase, that Gibraltarians ‘punch above our weight’.  Now we will be able to punch even higher, with the opportunities about to come our way.  We will attain even greater heights, dedicating our time and energy not at seeing how we will cope with threats from Brexit and a closed border, but how we are to take full advantage of the myriad possibilities that this deal now lays open before us.

I should be so, so tired after nearly 14 years in politics.  Years of hard work, converting the health service, and the education system, improving the environment, pushing through the Covid years and Brexit.  I should be exhausted.

But somehow, I am not.  This achievement of Fabian and the team excites me.   It tells me that so much is possible.  I am excited, with more energy than ever.  I see so many possibilities before us.  Possibilities that need to be embraced, with any pitfalls (and there will be those too) overcome.  

Our neighbour’s strategy historically has been to restrict our movements wanting to stifle us and put pressure on us to capitulate – as if we ever would.  I think there was also a secret fear that our resourcefulness, our entrepreneurship and our clear ability to excel would be unshackled and unlimited by an open border with endless possibilities. 

In a world that right now seems to be wreaking of conflict and hostility, we have stood firm against the tide to arrive at a peaceful solution to a centuries old conflict, as only we can. Madam Speaker,

We are about to show the world just who we are.  

And so, in commending the Bill to the House, Madam Speaker, let me say that I for one, in any whatever way it will be, just can’t wait to play my part in our Renaissance.