With Budget 2011 just around the corner, Juan Ameen took to the streets of Valletta to see what people are expecting when the Finance Minister makes his speech in Parliament on Monday.

Maria Borg, 63, from Gudja, housewife

I’m expecting the government to remove the system of issuing estimates for the water and electricity bills. They should just give us the actual bill and not issue estimates. I’m also expecting it to give us something to compensate for the increased cost of living.

Doris Portelli, 65, from Msida, housewife

I want it to be better than the one before, so that no one suffers, especially because of the water and electricity bills. Without these bills, everyone will be much better off.

Tony Buhagiar, 80, from Qormi, pensioner

Not so long ago, the government was saying everything was good, that we are not in a recession. Then it said we were coming out of it. Either we are or we aren’t in a recession. Now, the government is talking about austerity measures, I’m sorry I voted for Finance Minister Tonio Fenech. I regret it... they are hopeless.

Peter Barbara, 38, from Birkirkara, coach driver

Everyone’s family life is affected; the water and electricity bills are exaggerated and are a great burden. It’s like we are in limbo. We are constantly trying to see what to do to cut down on the bills by switching off everything. For example, families are being urged to buy computers to keep up with technology but we are put off from buying them because these waste a lot of electricity. Although the government says it thinks of families, it is not doing enough. It is not in touch with the people’s needs. If it truly respects the people then it would see what to do to help.

Caroline Balzan, 35, from Msida, housewife

I want certain issues to be solved and everyone to be treated equally. There are many single mothers who live with their boyfriends but declare they live alone. In my case, only my husband works and I have to go through a lot of verifications. If they are truly staying with the father of their child, then they should say so and not pretend otherwise.

Adrian Bonello, 16, from Dingli, student

I want the living wage to be introduced because wages are quite low. I also would like stipends to increase as an average of €2 a day is not going to help the student. It is not enough.

Maria Petra Agius, 19, from Żejtun, student

I would like the government to increase the stipends because it is not enough for students to get by and also provide more incentives to continue studying.

Anthony Borg, 63, from Buġibba, pensioner

The Budget has to tackle the deficit. It has to be adjusted or else we’ll be fined €10 million. There has to be a balance between capital and labour. The government has to try and help the small businesses but we have to see: nothing comes for free.