Although one cannot grumble about our welfare system, as it caters for everybody from the womb until death, one must still be concerned about people at risk of poverty. People in this category last year increased by 3,277 over 2012 and reached 64,966, that is, 15.7 per cent of the population. These people have to live on an annual income below €7,256, which means some cannot afford to keep their home warm in winter, while others cannot afford healthy food every day. Others may not be able to pay their bills and/or loan payments.

This phenomenon does not exist in Malta only. In fact, a quarter of EU citizens are at risk of poverty. Naturally, the EU must act and give priority to this serious problem before deciding about the huge salaries which most of their top officials earn.

Locally, the government must be generous in investing some of the €700 million EU funds to alleviate people who are at risk of poverty.

According to European Regional Policy Commis-sioner Corina Cretu, lifting thousands of people out of risk of poverty must be included in governments’ plans for EU funds.

Meantime, both parties like to speak in favour of the middle class and how to support it.

This is well and good, but what about the lower class? Why do we rarely talk about those who cannot make ends meet? Why do we rarely hear both parties speak about people at risk of poverty?

From time to time, we hear of tax cuts, but then both parties are against increasing the minimum wage.

Caritas, the GWU, Alternattiva Demokratika and economist Karm Farrugia have all emphasised the need for an increase in the minimum wage to help the poorest and most needy families.