The government said today that its spending on social benefits will reach €749 million, an increase of €21 million over last year and €128m over 2008.

Reacting to a press conference about spending cutbacks, held this morning by the PL, minister Chris Said said that despite the cutbacks spending would still be higher than last year.

He insisted that current programmes and services will be maintained and noted that the flat rate of the children's allowance had been increased as of this year to €350 per child, and there was also a new allowance of €300 for people aged over 80.

PL LISTS CUTBACKS

This morning, the PL said the government is planning to reduce €407,000 from its spending on the Sapport Agency and €178,000 from Appogg.

Social security spokesman Carmelo Abela, and Justyne Caruana, spokesman for the family said the social sector would see a total reduction of  €1.5 million.

That would also see a cut of €750,000 in retirement pensions, €230,000 in  widows’ pensions and €130,000 in social assistance.

Dr Caruana said such cuts were abusive in that they reduced spending on the weakest members of society in a move which would be detrimental to siciety in general.

The cuts are part of an overall cut of €40 million in the government's budget for this year. The PL said that cut was ordered by the EU to ensure that Malta's deficit remained within 3% of GDP.

Dr Caruana noted that one of the affected programmes, Be Smart Online, was aimed at protecting children from internet abuse. Last year there were 1200 cases of internet abuse on children. 

Also significant was how the After School programme would be cut by a third.