Recipients of social benefits will no longer lose their eligibility for their payment if they travel abroad; Family and Social Solidarity Minister Michael Farrugia said this morning.

At present, if the fraud department notices recipients travel abroad the benefits are cut off. This is because according to the Material Deprivation Index, persons who are materially deprived, thus eligible for social benefits, cannot afford one week's annual holiday away from home.

In one case, an individual had her benefits cut off after she visited her sister in Germany. She insisted however, that it was her sister who paid for her flights.  However, Dr Farrugia has now issued a directive to stop this from happening.

This morning, the national strategic policy for poverty reduction and social inclusion was launched. It is estimated that 80,196 people in Malta are at risk of poverty or social exclusion.  

The policy document is set to address poverty and social exclusion by increasing national sustainable development, promoting empowerment and consolidating social services. The government is set to promote employment to 70% to the population aged 20-64 years, reduce early school leaving rates to 10% and lift around 6,560 people out of risk of poverty.