I imagine that I wouldn’t be too happy if I were one of the 2,000 odd, single persons on the minimum wage who will now be paying €1 and change per week in income tax, due to the cost of living increase contemplated in the budget. I would probably find better use for the €1.15 per week.

But as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. These 2,000 single people will now be automatically elevated to the class that pays income tax – the middle class.

So what is Joseph Muscat going on about when he says that Labour in government will create a new middle class? Lawrence Gonzi’s already been there, done that.