Chairperson, hon members, the UDM supports the budget again, Mr Manuel. The national Budget, as reflected in this Appropriation Bill, is a balancing act. Overall it is a good reflection on the strength of our economy.
Much of this year's budget's success is built on the better-than-expected economic growth and revenue collection. A number of problematic areas remain, however, when it comes to expenditure. The failure to spend allocated funds bedevils the best of intentions to deliver.
At provincial and local level, shortages of skills and capacity as well as mismanagement nullify increasing budgets and shares of revenue.
On the social front the Appropriation Bill allocates significant funding towards education, health and social grants. Education remains one of the most fundamental long-term social and economic investments that we can make in our country. Therefore the no-fee school system is to be welcomed. But is the growth in higher-education allocations keeping pace with the real needs and demands being placed upon higher-education institutions?
The real growth of social grants cannot be said to adequately address the real cost of living of the recipients. The Minister argues that social grants should not become disincentives for employment. But, be that as it may, people depending solely on these grants are specifically or essentially becoming poorer each day.
Another social matter the UDM would have liked the Minister to address emphatically in his Budget Speech is the HIV/Aids pandemic, which constitutes one of the single biggest threats to the future success of the country when you compare the amount of people requiring antiretroviral treatment with the target the government has set.
There are two macro factors that will affect our society profoundly, economically and socially. These are energy and water. The increasing incidence of power failures and persistent droughts are exposing a severe lack of infrastructure, investment and maintenance.
We are looking towards a water and energy-scarce future, even if these problems are addressed. What this requires is long-term investment in research and development of alternative sources of water and energy. We again say, Mr Manuel, that we support your budget. [Applause.]