Hon Chairperson of the House, for years now there has been an outcry from all corners of our society to have or to explore a new economic growth path that will ensure employment, income distribution, income security and developmental trade, ensuring social and environmental sustainability. The message in the state of the nation address has favourably included the concept of inclusive growth, but the Budget itself is not coherent with this message.
The UCDP has no confidence that the projected growth of 3,4% will create the much-needed jobs because we would need at least 4% growth annually in order to meet the employment demands. Nevertheless, a pinch of optimism is injected by the R94,1 billion spend on job creation over the next three years.
It is with disappointment that we note that local government gets a meagre 9% in equitable public resources, compared to national government's 47% and provincial government's 46%. This is a slap in the face as we believe that local government has been underperforming for many years. They are central to service delivery, but continue to get meagre amounts.
We are puzzled by the allocation on rural development and think that the budget team has taken for granted the vast population of this country living in rural areas and lost sight of the fact that, in the long term, rural development translates to food security.
It is incomprehensible that recipients of foster care grants will be receiving 4,4%, a percentage that is less than that of recipients of all the other grants at 5,5%. We wonder if this stems from the ill-informed misconception that foster care grant recipients are only making money out of it.
The commitment to increase health expenditure comes as no surprise. However, we welcome it as the country really needs to boost and strengthen the public health sector. However, we remain cautious about money being thrown at problems that have nothing to do with money in the first place. The public health problems cannot only be solved by an increase in spending. Access to health for every citizen will only be achieved if health needs are prioritised and aligned to proper budget planning.
We appreciate the acknowledgement that substantial reforms are needed in order to align public and private health sectors, but clarity on what those reforms shall be is still lacking substantially.
The implementation of the money Bills amendment Act has become a priority and is now urgent. It is Parliament's constitutional responsibility to ensure that the manner in which resources are appropriated promotes, protects and fulfils the rights of our people. Unless the money Bills amendment Act is implemented effectively, there shall remain incoherency in how resources are raised and appropriated. The UCDP supports the fiscal framework and revenue proposals. Thank you. [Applause.]