Finance Minister Tonio Fenech this afternoon criticised Labour for not saying how it would fund its electoral programme or providing any economic projections.

He said Labour based itself on IMF and EU figures that only covered 2015 and 2014 respectively.

Mr Fenech also said there was "nothing new" in Labour's plan. Most proposals were either already done by the Government, proposed in the Budget or written in PN's electoral programme.

Showing a series of clips, namely lengthy clips from yesterday's Bondiplus interview with Labour's manifesto author Karmenu Vella, Mr Fenech said there was huge confusion in Labour about its own proposals and no one knew how much they would cost.

"What was Mr Vella coordinating in the manifesto? The printing?"

Labour's electoral programme was full of "nice words" without saying how it would create jobs or boost economic growth.

Mr Fenech also said it was significant that Labour's manifesto removed the pledge that the power station being proposed by Labour would be concluded in two years. Nor did it include the real cost of the power station.

Mr Fenech denied that there were any mistakes in his presentation about PN's costings, but stressed that his party had published all its workings so they could be challenged. Labour only gave a short presentation that was not even given to Net journalists, he said.

Asked about PN's pledge to cut two per cent expenditure, Mr Fenech said this could be done in every sector after a full expenditure review which would remove inefficiencies while retaining all workers and all services offered.

Mr Fenech said Labour's plan to keep having a deficit even by 2017 would reduce Malta's credibility at a time when its economy was being scrutinised closely. He said the Government had not met its original targets to reach a surplus during this legislature because it had to fund a stimulus package during the economic crisis.