Here’s the full text of the 2025 Budget speech delivered by Minister Leslie Bruton:

Madam Speaker, 

As I rise to deliver my second budget address in this House, I do so with the same sense of honour, humility, and purpose that accompanied me last year. If anything, that sense of duty has only deepened with time. 

Public life, Madam Speaker, is not a path we walk alone. It is one shared with our families, our partners, our children; those who often bear the weight of our responsibilities without ever stepping into this Chamber. To them, I again offer my deepest gratitude. 

Much has changed since the October election of 2023, a date that marked the beginning of a new chapter not only for me personally, but for all of us elected to serve. 

Over the past year, I have had the immense honour of serving as Minister for Sports, Industrial Relations, Civil Contingencies and the Fire Service. I’ve had the chance to meet inspiring individuals, to listen closely and to try to act meaningfully. Whether on home ground or representing Gibraltar abroad the sense of pride in our people and our potential has never left me. 

Today, Madam Speaker, I rise not just to speak of numbers and figures, but to reflect on progress, to acknowledge the challenges still ahead, and to reaffirm my commitment to the community that placed its trust in me. This budget is a continuation of our vision, one that puts people at the centre of everything we do. 

Madam Speaker,
I will commence with my responsibility as Minister for Sport and Leisure. 

As is the norm in the dynamic environment that is sports and leisure much has happened in the last twelve months with a lot more to come. 

However, I must start by expressing my delight at the extraordinary change at the Europa Sports Complex (“ESC”). 

As is well documented, several management arrangements had been considered for this facility. 

However, as of October 2024, and as I confirmed in answers to questions in this Parliament, the Gibraltar Sports and Leisure Authority (GSLA) were tasked with the management of the internal areas of the ESC with the Gibraltar Football Association (GFA) responsible for the outdoor area and adjacent amenities. 

I am delighted to report that the new arrangements are working very well and the trust placed in both the GSLA and the GFA has not been misguided. 

In terms of the outdoor areas the GFA has already invested over £1.2 million and is in the process of investing another £1.2 million in additional facilities, with more investment coming soon. 

This has not only included a replacement of the playing surface to UEFA/FIFA and World Rugby standards but also an upgrade in floodlighting as well as repairs and continued maintenance to changing rooms, offices etc. 

This has been at no cost to the taxpayer and the facility continues to be used by the Gibraltar Rugby Football Union, the Gibraltar Cricket Association and others. 

The upgrades have also meant that the GFA were able to host European Club qualifiers, Senior Men’s Nation’s League and the first ever participation of the Women’s National Squad in the UEFA Women’s Nation’s League, an important milestone for the women’s game on the Rock. 

More upgrades are currently being undertaken which will hopefully mean that other competitions may be hosted locally. 

I am extremely proud of the GSLA team who did not hesitate when given the opportunity to manage the complex. 

The turnaround in the first months was very clear for all to see. 

Madam Speaker, 

The appointment of three Centre Managers from the internal ranks of the GSLA as well as the absorption of six Sports Operatives on TUPE transfer has meant that there is now a stable, solid and effective management and shift structure at ESC which is proving its worth in the day to day running of the complex. 

The GSLA has not only tackled areas of concern but has also revamped and commercialised the fitness gym. 

Membership packages were designed, approved and made available to the general public. 

The uptake was far greater than expected with the number of active paying members currently standing at 610 which translates into £82,000 of revenue in only half a year of active operation. 

Additionally, the hire of other areas has meant that the total revenue for the ESC in Financial Year 24/25 stands at £93,150.93. 

Looking forward the revenue forecast for Financial Year 2025/26 is close to £200,000. 

Aside from the continued gym revenue the GSLA has also regularised the areas held by associations as well as the commercial areas. 

The tenant of the first-floor kitchen continues to pay rent and utilities and after an Expressions of Interest process held under the auspices of Land Property Services, the Ground Floor Cafeteria is now also paying rents, rates and utilities. 

The change in management at ESC has meant that the facility has now become available for large-scale events in a properly regulated manner. 

The highly successful “Audience with David Walliams” is a prime example of this. 

Also, the two recent Boxing events highlight the versatility of the facility. 

Madam Speaker, 

It would be improper to mention the last Boxing event without referring to the historic events on the night. 

It was the professional debut of two local fighters, namely Kris and Evan Montegriffo with Tyrone Buttigieg finally having his homecoming bout. 

All three fighters were successful in what was an enthralling evening of Boxing. 

His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar continues with its policy on Event Led and Sports Led Tourism and the events at ESC are a prime example of this. Only this last weekend we have hosted the Pool Associations Festival of Pool, the Gibraltar Squash Open and the Gibraltar Rugby 7’s. 

The GSLA continues to support events from both a financial and logistical perspective, whilst Gibraltar continues to hold an excellent reputation with international partners. 

The list of suitors continues to grow with requests received constantly. 

The development value of these events to local associations is also a major factor when deciding whether to host them locally or not. 

In 2024/25 the following international events were hosted in Gibraltar: 

Squash International Open 

Gibraltar Target Shooting Association Open Championships 

JDC World Darts Championships and associated events (the contract for this event has been extended for another 3 years) 

City Mountain Bike Eliminator race (contract extended for another year) International Backgammon Tournament
Harley Davidson Motorbike Rally
FIBA Europe U16 Women’s Eurobasket C Division 

EuroHockey Club Challenge II (Eagles HC) Gibraltar Regatta 

Gibraltar Rugby 7s EuraAfrica Trail 

The list is not exhaustive but captures some of the major events with the total financial contribution to these being: £209,834.23. 

If we consider that this contribution accounts for over 4200 bed nights, then it is clear to see that continued investment in this field is beneficial to the Gibraltar economy.

In this respect, I am also glad to announce that the Gibraltar Badminton Association has managed to secure the hosting of the Small States European Championships in 2030. 

It is an exciting landmark for Gibraltar Badminton and shows forward planning. We cannot simply sit back and let others grasp such excellent opportunities. Madam Speaker, 

One cannot mention the hosting of events in Gibraltar without making special mention of the Netball World Youth Cup to be held in September 2025. 

Preparations for what will be Gibraltar’s highest calibre event ever are progressing extremely well with both the Executive Board and Local Organising Committee working very hard. 

My personal thanks goes to all of them. 

It was a privilege to receive the World Cup trophy from the official party led by GNA President Mrs Moira Gomez. 

It was also an honour to be an integral part of the World Cup draw and welcome World Netball President Dame Liz Nicholl last November. 

Dame Liz was extremely impressed with the progress of preparations and in particular the extended support from Government at all levels, something which she has not seen at other similar events. 

I am truly excited to welcome the 19 countries, their participants and accompanying family members to Gibraltar for an event that will no doubt prove to be a great success and will at the same time leave behind a legacy of empowerment and inclusivity that will resonate for years to come. 

Madam Speaker, 

Aside from the aforementioned, the NWYC 2025 will also leave behind infrastructure investments that will continue to be enjoyed by the local sporting fraternity beyond September 2025. 

A wooden sprung floor has been purchased for use at ESC for the event and will later be laid at the TSH, fulfilling a manifesto commitment. 

Madam Speaker, 

I would like to take this opportunity, like I have done many times before, to thank the army of local volunteers who run the 51 registered sporting associations. 

These individuals give up an immense amount of their personal time to be involved as coaches, administrators, committee members and in other roles, so that local sports can function and flourish. 

Their contributions are often forgotten, but the reality is that without them there would be no sport on the Rock. 

Madam Speaker, 

Aside from running local activities many of these entities are full members of their respective International governing bodies. 

This is not just a tick box exercise as being active members not only involves participation at international competitions but also attendance at Annual General Meetings and conferences. 

We advocate that all those who are full or affiliate members of their international governing bodies need to be active within their international frameworks. 

Given that we encourage this it stands to reason that we support associations on many levels not least financially. 

To this end the financial support received in the last financial year by sports associations is: £338,574. 

This represents support offered to registered associations 

for participation at international events, sports development, attendance at AGM’s and conferences and minor improvements to facilities. 

Applications were received and painstakingly scrutinised by the Gibraltar Sports Advisory Council (GSAC). 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those voluntary members of GSAC who work very hard for very little recognition. 

In my second year as Chair of GSAC I’m still taken aback by the magnitude of what happens behind the scenes. 

The process ensures that associations themselves vote for experienced and knowledgeable members of the community to safeguard their interests. 

Given the dynamic nature of sport, the criteria and polices are constantly under review. 

Madam Speaker, 

Some of the policies that GSAC review involve the safeguarding of children. 

This subject rightly continues to gain more prominence as lessons are learnt and legislation and Government policies updated. 

Awareness and training are key factors in the fight to protect our most vulnerable. 

Self- awareness is also critical as we may come across practices that may have been acceptable years ago but are now no longer tolerated in modern day sports. 

During the last year the GSLA has had to deal with four separate instances of a safeguarding nature with one of these still ongoing. 

I am glad to report that most of these have resulted in support for local volunteers with positive outcomes, being a testament to the training that is currently being undertaken. 

The GSLA Sports Development, Training and Inclusion Unit has over the course of the last year delivered safeguarding training to 375 individuals bringing the total figure on the database to over 1,300. 

This means that children and young adults can continue to thrive in a safe environment. 

Madam Speaker, 

It would not be right for the GSLA to expect registered associations to meet safeguarding criteria and not have this same requirement for its own staff. 

All GSLA staff complete safeguarding training which also forms an integral part of the Summer Sports and Stay and Play induction programmes. 

Those selected undergo an intensive period of preparation that ensures that when parents register and leave their children every morning during July and August, they can be confident that those looking after their children meet the highest standards of safeguarding. 

Madam Speaker, 

Summer 2024 saw a total of 868 children registered with the Sports programme with 42 children registered on Stay and Play. 

This was made possible by the recruitment of 61 temporary leaders. 

Additionally, the GSLA partnered with Possabilities to provide extra support for those children who wished to participate on the Sports Train Program but needed extra help. 

This has only been available since last summer and will remain for this and future years, thus offering more children greater access and opportunities. 

Both programmes also counted on the support of an additional 31 volunteers (21 Level 1 and 10 Level 2 qualification holders) thanks to whom we are able to grow year on year. 

The Lathbury Sports Complex was first used for the programme last summer and it proved a very welcome addition. 

This summer it will be the turn of the Europa Sports Complex to be added to the list of facilities available for the delivery of the daily sessions. 

This year we have new sports on offer such as pickleball, chess and squash. Last year the Family Fun evenings proved to be a great success once again. 

There was an average attendance of 90 people per night with the highest attendance being 125. 

This initiative which was first piloted a few years back has gone from strength to strength and we are looking to expand it even further this summer. 

Madam Speaker, 

As mentioned, the Stay and Play programme attracted record numbers with 42 children registering. 

The programme caters for children with learning disabilities and they are engaged through the delivery of innovative and detailed sessions that consider their individual needs. 

Communication with parents/guardians/carers is key and this continued last year via an interactive app that provided instant two-way communication so that important information is available to both parents and leaders alike. 

The challenge for those delivering both the Summer Sports and Stay and Play programmes continues to be to adapting to new ideas and practices. 

They do this year on year and ultimately continue to raise the bar in what they deliver. 

The numbers speak for themselves! Madam Speaker, 

During these summer months, those on the summer programmes as well as hundreds of members of the general public, enjoy both the Bathing Pavilion and Europa Pool (colloquially known as the Nuffield Pool). 

Last summer saw maintenance and upgrades to both facilities. The overall cost for maintenance was as follows:
GSLA Bathing Pavilion: £162,326.78
Europa Pool: £58,697.30 

These figures account for chemicals, cleaning, the services of professional divers and other maintenance matters, that are required before, during and after the summer bathing season. 

Whilst the summer season lasts approximately 14 weeks these areas need to be looked after all year round. 

Both facilities are fully accessible and cater for those members of our community with mobility issues. 

Madam Speaker, 

Moving on to playgrounds 

In the last financial year, the maintenance programme as undertaken by the GJBS crew in conjunction with the GSLA team has continued unabated. 

Maintenance is as proactive as possible and when items do become damaged, reaction times for repairs have decreased significantly. 

Our teams cannot be everywhere, so I am happy to report that there has been increased public engagement in terms of the reporting of items that require attention. 

Unfortunately, and as I have mentioned on many occasions, vandalism is commonplace. 

The actions of a few continue to spoil the enjoyment for the majority and I once again implore those responsible to stop these practices and look after the areas that we provide for them with public funds. 

The total cost of repairs and maintenance for the last financial year was £178,032.39 This year we will see some new areas added and significant works undertaken in others. 

Madam Speaker, 

From a personal perspective and as a sports enthusiast myself, travelling to events to watch Gibraltarians represent us fills me with great pride. 

I very much look forward to attending the Island Games in Orkney in July, my first Island Games as Minister for Sport. 

Aside from supporting our athletes, I will continue to foster and strengthen relationships with members of the International Island Games Association. 

It is extremely important that we utilise these networking opportunities and promote Gibraltar as a sporting destination. 

This is exactly what I did at the 11th Commonwealth Sports Ministers meeting held in Paris on the 25th July last year. 

The theme was “Building Inclusive and Resilient Societies through Sport” and was hosted by the Canadian Government represented by the Minister for Sport and Physical Activity, the Hon Carla Qualtrough 

Accompanied by the GSLA’S CEO Reagan Lima, I met with colleagues from the Commonwealth and discussed matters of mutual interest in relation to sport, physical activity and other related issues, some of which I have since pursued with my colleague the Minister for Health Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez. 

I also had the pleasure of making contact with Mr Chris Jenkins, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation. 

Among other things, we discussed the future of the Commonwealth Games. 

To this end, we are keeping a close eye on the Youth Commonwealth Games and are monitoring progress on future hosting possibilities. 

Madam Speaker, 

During the course of the year, I also had the opportunity to travel to Sestriere, in Turin, Italy to witness greatness in the form of our Special Olympics Athletes. 

The Games were a humbling experience. 

Marching out with the team at the Opening Ceremony was an experience I will never forget. 

I was also immensely proud to be in attendance for the arrival for the Flame of Hope, escorted by members of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) runners which included Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Services Leading Firefighter (LFF) Matt Coulthard. 

Whilst in Turin I also attended the Global Coalition for Inclusion. 

Gibraltar is one of the original signatories to the coalition and I confirmed our commitment to Dr Tim Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics International, David Evangelista, President and Managing Director of SpecialOlympics Europe‐Eurasia and Mary Davis CEO of Special Olympics International. 

It is important for the international community to see that Gibraltar is an active member of international bodies and initiatives. 

Finally, and aside from their record medal haul, which is the result of a lot of hard work by coaches and the team led by Annie Risso, I would like to send my warm regards to our athletes Ryan, Merlin, Sallyann, Francis and Samuel, they are true ambassadors and we should all be very proud of them. 

Madam Speaker, 

I will end my contribution on Sports and Leisure by thanking members of the GSLA Team at all levels. 

I see firsthand the work that goes on behind the scenes and I can honestly say that a lot more goes on than they are sometimes given credit for. 

Morale continues to be high and this was very evident when we undertook negotiations related to a long-standing issue affecting a cross section of the department. 

Negotiations and meetings held in such an atmosphere are very helpful for all. 

Again my thanks to all at the GSLA for their continued hard work and support. They are an incredible team, and sharing moments with them, such as the round the rock swim this past weekend, for the 5in5 charity serves to strengthen bonds. 

One last minute addition Madam Speaker is to mention the resurfacing of the pitch at Lathbury that started earlier this week. I wasn’t going to mention it, but given that works have commenced I thought it would be right to refer to it. 

Madam Speaker,
I now turn to my responsibility for the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre. 

The performance of the Centre in the last year was positive, despite a slight dip in income of approximately 1% over the previous year. 

However, this needs to be viewed in the context of an exceptional 2023, which saw a 7% increase in revenue. 

A significant share of revenue, of around one-third, was generated by our most popular attraction: the bowling lanes. 

The Fitness Gym and Amusement Arcade also remain key drivers of footfall and income. 

This year, several arcade machines were replaced, keeping the total at 63 units and offering a wide array of entertainment options for younger visitors. 

Other income streams include the Boulder Park, the popular Cannonball Store and room rentals. 

The Boulder Park benefited from two complete route resets, carried out by professional route-setters from the UK. 

These updates ensure the climbing experience remains fresh, challenging and engaging. 

Seasonal attractions like Santa’s Grotto and the VR sleigh ride continued to delight visitors of all ages, reaffirming their place as firm favourites in our annual calendar. 

As in previous years, the management team at KBLC continue to set ambitious targets, aimed at increasing revenue while reducing operating costs. 

Their commitment to efficiency ensures the Centre remains a vibrant and sustainable community hub. 

Looking ahead, exciting projects are in the pipeline which, if successful, will significantly transform the Leisure Centre. 

Among the key improvements this year were the full recommissioning of the fire alarm system and the installation of new air-conditioning units in the Fitness Gym. 

We also replaced all treadmills in the gym, several pool tables in the arcade and the equipment section in the Toddlers Play Area, all with modern alternatives. 

Importantly, equipment still in good working condition was donated to Ocean Views, HM Prison, Bruce’s Farm and a local children’s nursery. 

As we look to the future, the focus remains on further enhancing the facilities and visitor experience. 

The success of KBLC is a shared achievement and it is the enthusiasm and support of the community that continues to drive them forward. 

In closing, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the staff, the management team and also to the community for their continued dedication and support. 

Madam Speaker
Moving on to my responsibility for the Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service. 

This has been a year of significant progress for the GFRS in a number of respects. 

It is true that Gibraltar continues to grow and with that growth comes new challenges for staff, whether related to fire prevention and protection, or to operational response. 

HMGoG recognise those challenges and are supportive of efforts to adapt and grow in parallel, but also in a manner which is sensible and which makes financial sense. 

The GFRS is an organisation that prides itself on setting high standards of performance in the service that they provide to the community. 

Our aim is to continue to work closely with the GFRS to improve their resources. 

With the continuous development and review of fire safety standards across the globe, particularly in UK and continued innovative fire engineering solutions, the GFRS Fire Safety team is constantly challenged and continues to do a magnificent job in the anticipation of risks. 

Recent events in UK are a clear demonstration that risk is at our very doorstep and complacency is our worst enemy. 

Aside from all the challenges that we may face, it is important that excellence remains the top priority through continued teamwork between the GFRS, the Ministry and HMGoG in our attempts to develop and achieve short and long-term goals. 

The GFRS depends fully on support from their leaders to ensure that Fire Officers have the tools necessary to achieve optimal standards in every aspect of the Service and I believe we have gained positive ground in this respect. 

I have listed some items for ease of reference: Aerial Ladder Platform: 

After obtaining the support from HMGoG the GFRS went out to tender for the purchase of this specialised fire appliance. 

Securing funding approval of £1.3M from cabinet. 

Not only will this enhance response capabilities to high rise incidents, but it is incredibly versatile and enhances capabilities for a more varied approach to other incident types. 

It is expected that an order will be placed within the next week and delivery estimated for the 3rd or 4th Quarter 2026. 

Breathing Apparatus (BA) Overhaul: 

After conducting a review of the most important piece of equipment, the suppliers (Drager) were engaged for a complete overhaul. 

Funding was approved and the process was initiated. 

We are now awaiting the delivery of 25 new BA sets with the latest technology to contribute towards the safety and wellbeing of the frontline crews. 

This exercise comes at a significant cost (approx. £80K) but is an investment in both the safety of our Fire Fighters and in the safety of our community. 

Complement: 

Senior Management continues to review GFRS resources, in alignment with UK National Operational Guidance and Gibraltar’s risk element. 

Whilst we must be ambitious in our approach to this matter, it is also important that we are sensible and realistic. 

A detailed proposal is expected to be submitted to HMGoG by the end of this year with a view to determine requirements. 

Database: 

The GFRS continue to work with Piranha Designs in close liaison with Government’s own IT department. 

They are now in Phase 4 of this project that is proving to be a huge success. 

More specifically, this phase features bespoke Performance Management, Computer Aided Dispatch and Operational Support systems, Incident Management and Asset Management. 

This technology is making the GFRS more effective in daily working practices and they are becoming an even more efficient organisation. 

The software is currently being tested for potential introduction into the wider Civil Service. 

Departmental Restructure: 

The GFRS is in the process of completing the first phase of the longer-term restructure recently approved by HMGoG. 

1. The dedicated Training Department has been established and whilst still in its embryonic stages, it is already proving to be a success. 

2. The Fire Safety Department has now been restructured and they are also looking to improve this capability in parallel with the Gibraltar’s ongoing growth and development. 

3. The current restructure has provided promotion opportunities and they are currently in the final phase of the selection process for five Leading Fire Fighter posts. 

Fire Safety Department, Fees and Public Awareness: 

One of the Fire Safety Officers is due to retire in August and is already away, therefore, considering the vast number of Building Applications to be processed, the Service is doing everything in its power to maintain full functionality. 

They are in the process of re-establishing the complement to its normal state. 

However, there will inevitably be a period of time while newly appointed individuals undergo the necessary extensive training. 

The GFRS continue to work extremely hard in liaison with Building Control to ensure that new builds comply with standards of fire safety. 

Now more than ever, it is important to continue to ensure that buildings provide assistance to our frontline crews given the challenges that incidents in high rise buildings can pose for both fire crews and residents. 

The introduction of a Fire Safety Consultation fee is looking imminent and this will improve departmental revenue by approx. £70K a year. 

Also, still under review with the Government Law Offices are the Petroleum License fees. 

Firefighter Retirements: 

There may be around three retirements (senior and junior ranks) during FY 2025/26 and this will, as usual, lead to new recruitment. 

The GFRS consider that this should be a seamless process given that they currently have three shortlisted candidates. 

The retirements will also inevitably create promotion opportunities for those hoping to develop their careers within the GFRS 

Incident Command courses and qualifications: 

The GFRS continue to work closely with their counterparts in the UKFRS. 

The recently introduced promotion qualifications model brought with it the Incident Command Level 1 Development course that provided delegates with the required skill set to carry out acting-up duties to the rank of Leading Fire Fighter. 

This course has proved to be a success and has presented opportunities for a wider pool of interested officers. 

Legal Framework: 

GFRS Senior Management continue to review the current legal framework to align it with the roles and responsibilities of a modern-day Fire and Rescue Service. 

The department will be consulting the Gibraltar Law Offices as well as subject matter experts for advice. 

Mental Health: 

With the departure of their Counsellor, former Fire Fighter Alfred Rovegno, the Head of Welfare, Divisional Officer Adrian McComb, continues to work hard with the GFRS Wellbeing Champions to ensure that they maintain the essential support mechanisms with clear policies and guidance for the staff. 

Recent traumatic incidents have put this system to the test and it is proving to be effective. 

Review of the GFRS (2nd phase): 

The GFRS is hoping to engage with the second phase of the review carried out late last year by an independent former HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services Inspector, Mr Phil Cox. 

This will entail carrying out a Strategic Assessment of Risk that will feed the next Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP). 

This exercise will lead to a steer with clear objectives that will contribute towards a more structured approach to the service. 

In essence, this will become the guide for how they will conduct operations for the next 5 years. 

Staff Support vehicles: 

The two 17-year old support vehicles have now been replaced with two new electric vehicles in support of HMGoG’s green agenda. 

Training Facility: 

HMGoG are working with both Fire Services to provide a facility that will serve to provide our Firefighters with the minimum expected training. The aim is to enhance the existing facilities. 

Madam Speaker 

The GFRS continues to form a vital part of Gibraltar’s ongoing development as a modern and more importantly, safe community, with significant involvement in major projects, public events, and residential developments. 

The aim of their involvement in these projects is not only to familiarise themselves with potential risks, but also to ensure that new builds comply with fire protection and safety standards aimed at saving lives and assisting Fire Service operations. 

Finally, Madam Speaker, the GFRS, in partnership with HMGOG, will continue to be fully committed to working effortlessly in fire prevention, protection and the maintenance of an effective response to a wide range of operational incidents with one overarching aim, to safeguard our community. 

The GFRS is fully committed to support frontline Fire Fighters who are exposed to risk, by ensuring that they are provided with the tools necessary to perform effectively on the fire ground and to maintain their skills at the highest possible level. 

Madam Speaker,
I will now cover the Airport Fire and Rescue Service AFRS 

During the past financial year, the Airport Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) has experienced an intense period of activity marked by staff training, organisational revalidation and external assurance reviews. 

As part of its Continuous Personal Development and recertification programme, numerous firefighters and officers completed a variety of courses to either recertify or attain new qualifications across several key disciplines; 

Three AFRS Station Officers undertook the Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command (MAGIC) course. 

Additionally, Station Officers attended several Senior Airport Managers' courses, which included modules focused on Operations and Emergency Planning. 

Other courses attended by AFRS personnel included Aviation Supervisor Courses, Breathing Apparatus (BA) Instructor, BA Care & Maintenance, a Recruit Basic Course and an Aviation Firefighter Bridging Course. 

As active members of the UK Airport Fire Officers Association, AFRS representatives participated in their annual conference and also attended the Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) conference. 

This exposure to industry specific events provided valuable networking opportunities which, when coupled with the continual training, ensures that staff remain well- prepared and are suitably qualified, in line with AFRS’s structured approach to career progression and succession planning. 

The entire AFRS team participated in a two-week operational revalidation programme conducted locally, with instructors flown in from the UK. 

This approach was not only highly successful but is also significantly more cost- effective than sending all the personnel abroad to achieve this 4 yearly revalidation. 

In collaboration with the Office for Civil Contingencies and the Royal Air Force, AFRS also led on the planning and delivery of its first multi-agency night-time air emergency exercise. 

This complex scenario incorporated a maritime response element and was closely observed by inspectors from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Defence Fire Safety Regulator (DFSR), with additional remote oversight by a representative from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). 

Feedback on the exercise was overwhelmingly positive, with inspectors commending the professionalism in planning, coordination and response. 

As with all such exercises, important lessons were identified and noted to inform future improvements. 

Following this, the CAA and DFSR conducted a joint audit of AFRS operations, reviewing all aspects of its emergency response capabilities, administrative processes and record-keeping systems. 

This rigorous inspection resulted in a favourable report with no major findings, offering strong assurance that the AFRS is performing and delivering a service operating in compliance with aviation industry regulations and standards. 

On the infrastructure front, AFRS continues to implement phased refurbishment works aimed at enhancing the working and logistical environment of the Fire Station. 

A major focus will be the development of improved facilities for the handling and decontamination of protective clothing and equipment. 

Once completed, this facility will feature designated clean and dirty zones, fully separated from the living quarters. 

Additionally, as explained previously, there are plans to expand the fire training facilities, allowing for certain types of specialist and mandated training to be delivered locally. 

This initiative is expected to result in cost savings and operational efficiencies by reducing the need for overseas training. 

A purposely built training facility will also help enhance the ability of the services to respond to MOD assets in addition to local emergencies. 

The AFRS places the highest priority on the health, safety and welfare of its personnel, viewing it as a fundamental duty of care and central to its response model. 

Despite its small size and the considerable external scrutiny it faces, AFRS continues to perform effectively as a lean, dynamic and versatile unit. 

It remains firmly committed to supporting the Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service whenever required and actively promotes interworking through close and dynamic collaboration with partner agencies at all levels. 

Organisational and personal development remain central to the AFRS’s service delivery. 

The team continually strives to ensure that its firefighters are fully equipped, both in skills and resources, to meet the complex and ever-changing challenges of their critical role within Gibraltar. 

Madam Speaker, 

I now move on to my responsibilities as Minister for Civil Contingencies. 

The work undertaken by the Office of Civil Contingencies, operating under the strategic direction of the Gibraltar Contingency Council plays a significant role in ensuring that Gibraltar continues to remain ready to respond to the full spectrum of emergencies and threats we may face as a community. 

World-wide and regional events over the past 12 months have further shown the unpredictability and vulnerability of the world that we live in. 

• Conflict continues to rage in Europe, the Middle East and in other parts of the world. 

The use of new technologies such as drones for offensive purposes demonstrates the need to remain alert to the dangers that these bring. 

• In terms of the threat from cyber, this is becoming more diverse and dramatic. Hostile nation states continue to weaponise their cyber capabilities. 

China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are waging acts of sabotage and of course, cyber criminals remain active in this field with ransomware remaining a growing threat. 

• The CrowdStrike IT outage and the catastrophic power outage in Spain and Portugal reminds us of the huge impacts of technology failure on critical services. 

• The effects of climate change are also becoming more visible - the devastating floods in Valencia and destructive wildfires around the world shows that these types of events are sadly becoming more common. 

We must therefore continue to anticipate and understand how these risks may affect us in the future so that we can be best prepared to respond to them. 

At the core of our national resilience lies the Gibraltar National Security Risk Assessment (GNSRA), a living document owned by the Gibraltar Contingency Council and maintained by the Office of Civil Contingencies. 

It provides an evidence-based assessment of key risks, ranging from natural disasters and public health emergencies to malicious threats including terrorism and cyberattacks. 

The GNSRA underpins the design of all contingency plans and informs strategic investment in capability development. 

This is especially important as risks are ever-changing and we must therefore continue to keep up with a fast-moving threat landscape. 

As we know, the past 5 years has significantly tested us. 

Gibraltar has had to grapple with emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, OS 35 collision and disruption to our potable water supplies. 

In the last year alone, our Emergency Services and other responding agencies have also had to respond to several notable incidents such as: 

• The North Mole fire in July,
• A residential block fire at Mid-Harbours,
• Drone incursions into controlled airspace, and;
• A major fire in commercial premises at Devil’s Tower Road.
  Each of these incidents has served to rigorously test our emergency management framework and has validated the regular multi-agency training and exercises that are held throughout the year and the utility of our integrated response protocols.
  Our portfolio of civil contingency plans has been significantly enhanced and exercised over the past year.
  Key documents include:

• The updated Major Incident Response Plan (MIRP), which provides a scalable framework for multi-agency command, control and coordination; 

• The Mass Casualty Incident Plan, which outlines triage and surge procedures within the constraints of a single-hospital jurisdiction; 

• Site-specific emergency response plans have also been reviewed and enhanced for key critical national infrastructure (CNI) assets, including the Airport, LNG terminal, Operational berths for Nuclear Powered submarines and the Upper Rock Nature Reserve. 

• The evolving Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Response Framework, developed with the support of the National CBRN Centre of the UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing training continues. 

In terms of capability development, the Government has made significant investment in its Detection, Identification and Monitoring capability for chemical agents as well as procuring CBRN Next Generation Personal Protective Equipment for specialist police responders. 

Madam Speaker, 

Training and exercising remain pillars of our resilience. 

Over the past 12 months, the Office of Civil Contingencies has planned, led and delivered a large number of multi-agency training events, courses and exercises at the Strategic, Tactical and Operational levels of command, including: 

• Marauding Terrorist Attacks (MTA) and armed response deployments,
• Structural collapse of buildings and urban search and rescue operations,
• Wildfires in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve
• Air crash response at Gibraltar International Airport,
• and counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) workshops to enhance threat detection and response protocols.
  The Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP), which we have fully adopted from the UK, continues to be rolled out by the Office of Civil Contingencies to all the emergency services and all other responding agencies.
  It is embedded into our national doctrine and ensures that all responders, regardless of the cloth they wear, speak the same operational language and work effectively together to save lives and prevent further harm.
  And it works because we train together, rehearse together, and, when necessary, respond together.
• At the strategic command level, the Office of Civil Contingencies together with the Royal Gibraltar Police also facilitated one of the UK’s College of Policing flagship command courses. 

The Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command (MAGIC) Course was delivered to a number of our strategic commanders across the emergency services and responding partners including the military. 

The importance of preparedness and training of commanders and responders has certainly been a common theme in recent UK inquiries such as the Manchester Arena Attack and Grenfell Tower Fire. 

While these tragic events have taken place outside Gibraltar, its lessons and recommendations are widely applicable to every community and for this reason, we must consider them and act accordingly. 

From a technological standpoint, our Geographic Information System (GIS) Incident Management Platform continues to be enhanced to enable dynamic mapping and command-level visibility during live incidents. 

This tool ensures a shared operational picture across all stakeholders. 

Our remit also extends to public safety at major events and we have sadly seen how things can very quickly go horribly wrong as we unfortunately witnessed in Liverpool where a car drove into a crowd of people. 

Through the event Safety Advisory Group (SAG) mechanism, we engage with organisers, emergency services and other partners to assess and mitigate risks associated with public gatherings, ensuring that safety protocols align with public safety standards. 

Looking ahead, we have a further programme of major live exercises, including the triennial Exercise ROCKY PIGEON, which is the Nuclear Emergency Response exercise and further CBRN and air accident training. 

These efforts ensure that we are not only prepared to respond, but to recover swiftly and effectively. 

On the subject of contingency planning for an EU / UK Treaty Non-Negotiated Outcome (NNO), the Office of Civil Contingencies has played a key role in support of the Deputy Chief Minister, who leads the Brexit Strategic Group. 

The group works very closely with FCDO, MOD and other UK Government Departments and aims to mitigate the potential impacts of an NNO as well as manage the impact of the introduction of the EU Entry / Exit System (EES). 

In conclusion Madam Speaker, Gibraltar’s resilience is not accidental. 

It is built on deliberate, coordinated and sustained efforts across government, emergency services and the wider community, led by the Civil Contingencies Coordinator, Ivor Lopez. 

The past year has continued to test us but it has also proven our capacity under pressure, to collaborate across agencies and most importantly, to protect our community. 

I take this opportunity to commend the entire team at the Office of Civil Contingencies, our uniformed services and all frontline responders for their continued service and dedication to the safety of our community. 

Madam Speaker, 

I will now cover my final portfolio which is Industrial Relations. 

I have the privilege of leading the Industrial Relations team, which is an area that is both wide-ranging and complex, involving many parts of our public service and several important relationships. 

It requires careful thought, constant communication and a balanced approach — all of which I remain fully committed to. 

Over the past year, the Government has made solid progress in resolving several long- standing industrial issues. 

These matters had been waiting for attention for some time and it was clearly in the public interest that they be brought to a close. 

We have also made important changes to legislation that support workers' rights, including the recently announced updates to the TUPE regulations, which aim to give employees more protection when changes happen at their workplace. 

Many departments and organisations, including the Training Centre, Gibraltar Air Terminal Ltd and Procurement, have had their Terms and Conditions or working practices updated. 

These improvements were made to better meet the needs of both the public and the staff, while always keeping value for money in mind. 

This work is ongoing and we have more changes being developed across other areas of the public service. 

Throughout this process, the Government has continued to work closely with the unions. 

We have held regular meetings, listened carefully to the concerns they raise and looked for fair solutions. 

While we don’t always agree on everything, our conversations have always been respectful and constructive and that is how we will continue to work. 

Looking to the year ahead, our commitment to partnership remains strong. 

No matter what challenges may come our way, we will continue to speak with unions openly and honestly, to find the best way forward together. 

Good relationships are vital to building a better public service and the Government believes that by working together, we can make real improvements for everyone. 

I want to take this opportunity to thank the unions, their members and indeed the entire public service for their hard work, dedication and continued efforts to improve public services. 

Their role is a key part of the progress we have made and we look forward to continuing this important work in the months ahead. 

CONCLUSION 

In Conclusion Madam Speaker, as I draw this budget address to a close, I do so with a renewed sense of responsibility, clarity and conviction. 

It is easy, in the wave of figures, forecasts and public commitments to lose sight of what truly anchors our work, but behind every policy, every line item, every decision, are people. 

And I am deeply grateful to the people who stand alongside me in this endeavour. 

To the staff across every department that I am privileged to lead or work with...........thank you. 

Your quiet commitment powers the progress we often take for granted. 

To you, Madam Speaker and to all parliamentary staff, thank you for the patience and professionalism that keep this House moving. 

But if I may, I must pause again to thank the core of the team.......... Alison, Dylan, Jaydan, Chernade and Demelza. 

Your names may not often appear in speeches or headlines, but your impact is profound. 

Your loyalty, humour and determination carry me through the hardest days. You are not just friends and work colleagues; you are my rock. 

A special mention goes to Chernade Aidan and Callen who are expecting the arrival of a new baby to their family. 

Madam Speaker,
I have never been one to fit neatly into boxes. I think differently and I speak honestly.
But I always do so from a place of purpose. 

I do so because I know there are people outside of these walls who don’t yet believe there is a place for them inside them. A reminder to them that nobody is ever really lost, you just walk until you become unlost. 

So let us all be that message: that difference is not a weakness, it is our greatest strength. 

To the Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary, Deputy Chief Minister, the Chief Minister and my fellow colleagues in cabinet and across this House, thank you. 

To all my family, especially my wife Joyleen and our teenage children, Farrah and Ashton, thank you too. Not only for your unwavering support and for your patience through the countless work commitments and events but also for your unconditional love and for remaining steadfast every time that a five-minute walk down Main Street or quick trip to the supermarket turns into an hour or two. 

To the younger generation out there, never forget that the work we do in this chamber is for you and your future. One day it will be your turn to take over, my message to you is that “the enemy to action is a blank page” “start writing, even if you don’t know the words”. 

Politics can often be difficult, but I still believe in its ability to change lives when we remain grounded in who we are. 

Thank you, Madam Speaker.