The National Forum for the Family is a new body which will organise consultation meetings before recommending changes to existing policies governing families, Family and Social Solidarity Minister Marie Louise Coleiro Preca said yesterday.

Chaired by former Labour MP Joe Abela, an occupational therapist by profession, the forum will be holding extensive talks with non-governmental organisations, stakeholders and families before drawing up reports on what needs to be done.

The reports will then be passed on to the National Family Commission which will, in turn, make its recommendations to the Government on what policy changes are needed.

But according to Ms Coleiro Preca, the two bodies’ work will not overlap. She said had the forum already been in existence, water and electricity rates would not have been increased in recent years.

She said the forum would next week start the first phase of consultation on various themes which affected families, such as education and health.

In February, it would start the second phase in which families would be invited to contribute directly on their aspirations and needs.

Asked about Labour’s electoral pledge for free childcare centres to reduce the burden on families, Ms Coleiro Preca said this fell under the remit of the Education Minister. She, however, urged journalists to wait for tomorrow’s Budget to hear what initiatives would be announced.