PM highlights achievements in fourth year press conference

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this morning kicked off a series of ministerial press conferences to mark the end of the fourth year of this legislature. Speaking at Castille, Dr Gonzi went over the work of his government. He said government activity was focused on job creation and on safeguarding jobs despite the international crisis. He said that 20,000 new jobs were created in four years and new schemes were introduced to help businesses. Income tax was reduced to all sectors of society, particularly working mothers, and pensioners could now continue to work  while receiving their pension. There had been strong investment in education, with several schools having been built. Stipends were now being given to more post-secondary students. The number of students in post secondary schools had risen to 73% from less than 50% 10 years ago. The annual number of operations at Mater Dei was now 11,000 more than in the last full year of St Luke's Hospital and there was more investment in cancer facilities and free medicines. Dr Gonzi said the number of beds in old people's homes had risen by 800 in four years and two night shelters had been opened. Recreational facilities for families were...