Higher utility rates threatening standard of living - PL spokesman

The government was failing to meet its targets to the detriment of the people’s quality of life, Labour Party deputy leader Anglu Farrugia said.

He said in a statement that the lower standard of living was primarily caused by persisting unemployment.

Dr Farrugia said that according to the latest NSO figures, the unemployment rate was of 7.2 per cent and consumer expenditure had dropped.

The main reason behind all this was the government’s decision to burden its inefficiencies on the people through higher water, electricity and gas rates.

The standard of living was also being threatened because prices were going up at a higher rate than wages.

Poverty was also rearing its head with 14 per cent of the population going through this crisis. 18 per cent of those at risk of poverty were children and people under 17 years. It was worrying that people over 65 years were at the biggest risk of poverty, he said.