Family and Social Solidarity Minister Michael Farrugia said that it was the previous administration which increased the water and electricity tariffs for families, when asked by the Opposition why rental fees of State funded homes were increased and if the government took a conscious decision when it did so.

Dr Farrugia replied in this manner after PN MP Jason Azzopardi asked if the government had conducted a social impact assessment before increasing the rental fees and if the government made a conscious decision. Dr Azzopardi said that the previous administration had made a conscious decision and decided that rental fees should not be increased.

Dr Farugia sarcastically replied that the conscious decision was made by the previous government when it increased the energy tariffs.

Dr Farrugia denied that the Housing Authority increased the rental fees. But he did not exclude that this will not happen once the new government housing policy is discussed.