Gemma Arias-Vasquez strongly defends her record & of Government

Numerous policy initiatives, most but not all relating to health, were announced in Parliament today by the Minister for Health, Care and Business, Gemma Arias-Vasquez.

In a marathon speech lasting four and a half hours and running to more than 350 pages, Mrs Arias-Vasquez strongly defended her record and that of the Government, while also reinforcing the growing expectation that she is the heir apparent to Fabian Picardo when the current Chief Minister eventually steps down.

On healthcare, her central message was that rising spending reflects rising demand, more complex cases and a determination to keep investing, rather than the cost-cutting approach she attributed to the Opposition. To underline that point, she repeatedly referred to an alleged quote from Keith Azopardi suggesting that some people would vote for the GSD simply to keep the GSLP out, even if that would not guarantee change or ensure that social need received the priority it deserved.

Mrs Arias-Vasquez announced a recurrent GHA budget of more than 176 million pounds, plus a further three million in capital spending. She linked that funding to a range of initiatives, including a second CT scanner, a new Oncology Unit and a new 24-hour call centre, which she expects to be completed by the end of this year or in early 2027. A new purpose-built ambulance station is also being developed. She highlighted increases in staff for mental health services, while acknowledging that more still needs to be done in that area.

Other projects include a new hospital entrance, further development of community and specialist services, and improved end-of-life care and support for frail older patients.

The Minister said the Government will now proceed with the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, describing it as one of the most important public health interventions the GSLP/Liberals will deliver for future generations. The Bill will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1st January 2009.

She expressed disappointment that 42 children remain in residential care, saying this was why she was making a major announcement.

On business, the Minister announced a Transaction Tax Transition Support scheme, targeted at businesses that can demonstrate they are materially worse off under the incoming regime than under the current one.

She defended the new residency criteria, arguing that residence should be tied to genuine economic contribution. She rejected the suggestion that the measure is anti-business, insisting that being pro-business does not mean allowing artificial arrangements to be created simply as a route to residence.

Speaking in her capacity as the minister responsible for the Electricity Authority, Mrs Arias-Vasquez said the recent power outages were unacceptable. Following the latest incident, the company operating the LNG facility, Px, has been commissioned to carry out a detailed assessment of the GEA. But the Government isn’t leaving it at that:

Mrs Arias-Vasquez announced a return to in-person meetings of the Development and Planning Commission but did not give a date for this to start.

She ended by saying she was proud of her work. not because it is perfect, but because it is serious, practical, honest and moving Gibraltar in the right direction.