Govt employees, education get biggest chunk of KZN budget
MEC Belinda Scott has tabled the R115-billion budget for KZN for 2017/18 - with R73-billion of it allocated to the compensation of government employees.
She says the Department of Education has taken about 42% - which amounts to R47-billion of the budget.
Health get R39.5-billion or 34%.
ALSO READ: MEC Scott to deliver Provincial Budget on Tuesday
Scott says they’re looking at allocating money to the Department of Economic Development to help guide economic transformation in the province.
"As a result of the subdued economic outlook, as well as the need to provide additional funding to new social spending priorities, it was necessary to intensify the fiscal consolidation programme, alongside a additions to the budget - while also ensuring the protection of basic services as far as possible," she said.
Further, the Provincial Treasury receives R607-million for financial management, while the Department of Human Settlements will receive R3.8-billion for the provision of housing - including rural areas and informal settlements.
The Department of Arts & Culture has been awarded a smaller piece of the budget - R874 000 - with some funds being allocated for the construction of new libraries.
The Budget book is 685 pages and the actual speech 26 pages. The speech summarises what is contained in the "thick book". pic.twitter.com/Fy7QFQrAZn
— KZN TREASURY (@KZNTreasury) March 7, 2017