“The guiding values of Partit Nazzjonalista are solidarity and justice and the policies of the Party are an embodiment of these two principles,” Shadow Minister for Social Policy Paula Mifsud Bonnici said in a meeting with a delegation from Caritas Europa.

Paula Mifsud Bonnici said that, while Malta is enjoying economic growth it is also registering an increasing disparity between the rich and the poor. The Shadow Minister said that wealth creation is not being equally and adequately distributed to all strata of society. She said that the rise in the cost of food shot up by 16% since 2012 making it difficult especially for families at risk of poverty.

Paula Mifsud Bonnici said that ageing has developed into one of the major social worries in Malta and the PN has proposed for pensions to increase and to have taxation removed. The Shadow Minister also said that the PN has committed itself to support concrete proposals by civil society to increase the minimum wage.

Spokesperson for Family and the rights of children, the elderly and persons with a disability Robert Cutajar said that, like Caritas Europa, the PN puts the family at the centre of its decsions. He said that policymakers need to engage more with civil society to tackle the major social challenges facing our country today.

Stephen Spiteri, spokesperson for Housing and the fight against poverty, said that the PN has identified the catalysts that are accelerating the risk of poverty in Malta. He said that the rising cost of living, the exponential increase in rental costs and the lack of quality jobs are leading to a higher rate of poverty. Stephen Spiteri said that while the Government speaks about employment there is no creation of quality employment.  

Shannon Pfohman, Caritas Europa Policy and Advocacy Director, said that the network seeks to promote wellbeing of those most at risk of social exclusion. She said that Caritas Europa bases its working model on three pillars: the family; an inclusive labour market; and an effective social protection system. Shannon Pfohman said that it is important for policymakers and civil society work to hand in hand to empower the most vulnerable.