The social partners had another meeting within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development this morning but reported that there was no agreement on budget measures and another meeting will be held next Friday.

The meeting was focused on the budget, after other meetings earlier this week discussed the proposed utility tariffs.

However trade unions are insisting that the budget measures should include compensation for increased costs if the utility tariffs are raised.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said earlier this week that the budget would not bring forward compensation for any increase in the cost of living expected next year – as had happened in the budget for this year.

Employers and trade unions yesterday called for the new tariffs to be put off to early next year, but there was no government reaction to that call during this morning's meeting.

Those taking part in this morning's meeting did not say much. However the chairman, Sonny Portelli, said the meeting was positive and Vince Farrugia, director-general of the GRTU said it appeared that the budget would not be hard on the people.

The budget will be presented on November 3.

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