Families in dire straits 'still awaiting' help

The government was not yet addressing the financial crisis of a number of families despite the promised five percentage point reduction in the electricity surcharge, Labour social solidarity spokesman Marie Louise Coleiro Preca said.

Mrs Coleiro Preca said that according to the EU's Eurostat surveys, Malta had the second highest increase in annual electricity prices. And according to the EU Foundation for Living and Working Conditions, those who found it difficult to pay their water and electricity bills were living at risk of poverty.

Mrs Coleiro Preca said that despite making an announcement in the budget, the government had not yet specified the criteria that would be used to exempt those living on social benefits from the surcharge.

There were a number of families who, although not on social benefits, lived on an income that was practically the same as, or less, than those living on social benefits.