Labour hits out at social welfare budgetary cuts

A €1.4 million cut in the Family Ministry’s budget will have “a significant impact” on three social welfare agencies, according to Labour social policy spokesman Carmelo Abela.

“While the Nationalist Party’s local election campaign is all about putting the family at the centre of political decisions, the central government acted differently when it reduced the budget of the Family Ministry,” Mr Abela said.

He was reacting to the budget cuts for the social sector announced in January as part of the €40 million Malta was constrained to shed off its approved budget for this year.

The three agencies – Sapport, Sedqa and Appoġġ – would see their budgets slashed by €715,000, Mr Abela said. “This is of concern, especially when one considers that these agencies have waiting lists and their work is targeted towards the most vulnerable in society.”

Malta had to trim its budget for 2012 in view of the European Commission’s drive to ensure member states’ public finances remain sustainable.

Mr Abela said that despite the budget cuts the agencies would still be receiving more money than last year but this did not justify the government’s action because the decision to increase the agencies’ budgets in November was not capricious.

“The budgets were increased because of the pressing need for more funds they required to offer their services,” he said.

The ministry rebutted the criticism, saying €2.5 million were spent every day on social welfare.

The ministry said the Foundation for Social Welfare, the government organisation that manages the three agencies, was allocated a budget of €13.6 million this year, €1 million more than in 2011.

“It is not true that the government is cutting its social welfare expenditure... which continues to increase from one year to another,” the ministry said.