The Nationalist Party warned this afternoon that the government was losing control over the unemployment situation.

Mario de Marco, shadow minister for economic affairs, noted that according to official figures issued today, unemployment jumped by 750 in September compared to the same month last year, an increase of 13%.

This, he said, was the fruit of the change in economic direction which the present government had brought about. It was a clear sign that the economy was not generating the same level of new jobs as it had been under the previous government.

Dr de Marco said it was worrying that 7,619 persons were now seeking work, more so because the media had reported several enterprises running into problems this month.

The Prime Minister was acting like he was still in Opposition, ignoring problems instead of solving them.

Dr de Marco asked what the government was doing to help factories which were facing a drop in exports.

How was it helping enterprises, including SMEs, to grow and seek new markets?

What was it doing in economic sectors such as tourism, where there had been a significant drop in cruise passenger arrivals?

What was being done to create jobs in Gozo?

What initiatives were being taken by Malta's ambassadors to attract investment to the country?

What efforts were being done by the government to attract new investment for Malta as was done with the attraction of digital gaming and life sciences by the previous government, Dr de Marco asked?