Soon we shall have a new government that should tackle first the most urgent problems.

Although one cannot but appreciate the progress made in our standard of living, the economy, health and education, one cannot sleep soundly on realising that 15.4 per cent of the population are at risk of poverty, according to the NSO.

It is shocking to come across families who cannot pay their bills as otherwise they would have to leave their children hungry. According to the NSO, almost 64,000 people are at risk of poverty.

Both main parties speak of the middle class and how to support it. All well and good, but why do they not speak more about the lower classes, those who cannot make ends meet? Why are both parties more concerned with how to win votes than with seeing how they can alleviate those who are suffering because they cannot even buy the bare necessities?

The 15.4 per cent people who are at risk of poverty include almost 17,000 children. Should the politicians not be ashamed when faced with such a cruel revelation?

Both parties talk of tax cuts and then they are against increasing the minimum wage. The Caritas study, A Minimum Budget for a Decent Living, concluded that the minimum wage had to increase to €180 per week from €158 (€162 as from January 1, next year).

I admire and commend Caritas, economist Karm Farrugia and his team, plus the GWU and Alternattiva Demokratika who, in contrast to the stubborn position of the two main parties, emphasised the need for an increase in the minimum wage to alleviate the poorest and most needy families.