Chief Minister delivering "responsible" pre-election Budget

At eleven this morning, the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, started to deliver his fourth Budget speech, and last before a general election. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be full of “goodies” though. Ahead of delivery, insiders described it as a "responsible" Budget designed to help first-time homebuyers, entrepreneurs and families.

The Chief Minister is expected to highlight growth in employee jobs across all sectors, record-low unemployment and a steep rise in average earnings. He’ll say debt is down and inward investment sky-high: a claim boosted by the recent announcement of the 1.1 billion pound Blue Water Gibraltar development on the East Side.

For his part, Opposition Leader Daniel Feetham will focus on what he sees as the lack of openness and transparency in the way the Government is handling public finances. He’ll insist that public debt and spending are increasing, with much of it hidden in Government-owned companies.

The Budget Debate is live on GBC Television and Radio Gibraltar.