Caritas Malta questioned whether wealth is being distributed equally in its reaction to next year's budget.

The Church charity acknowledged that the budget was a socially sensitive one, as it contained measures that addressed the needs of the working poor.

Such measures included increased children’s allowance and benefits for people with a disability and mental health issues. It also welcomed measures that addressed rent and housing.

It said that other measures that supported Caritas’ clients included efforts to eradicate Hepatitis C, investment in the prison system that supported rehabilitation and in-work benefits.

However, the charity questioned the adequate distribution of wealth and whether the announced increases would actually address the increased cost of living.

It expressed concern about five issues, asking, among others, whether the increased pensions for the elderly were enough.

Similarly, were the announced increases when it came to the minimum wage and Cola enough, it asked. Caritas insisted that the minimum wage should allow for a decent life and that no one should be forced to work precariously.

It also called for incentives that would address the early drop-out rate.

The government could launch additional benefits for low-income families whose children attended 90 or 95% of classes, it suggested. Dropping out early from school was often associated with future social problems, it added.

Meanwhile, Caritas commended efforts to prevent drug abuse, however, it noted that most of the drug prevention programmes at school failed from reaching those facing medium or high-risk experimentation.

“The home environment had a greater impact on the academic and social development of children… therefore, prevention efforts should be based on evidence-based programmes that involved parents.”

When it came to the national cannabis reform, Caritas proposed a wider reform that addressed other drugs as well. It hoped that legal access to cannabis would remain limited to medicinal use and that decriminalisation legislation was improved.

Additionally, Caritas said it would continue to work for the elimination of poverty, social exclusion and loneliness.

It noted that it recognised the decrease of people suffering severe material deprivation over the past two years. This was possible through financial aid in kind, such as free medicine, as well as other support from NGOs and the Church itself.

However, the gap between the poor and the rich widened as the number of those at risk of poverty increased, especially among the elderly, Caritas insisted.

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