Speaking in Naxxar, Dr Gonzi said housewives were realising that they were spending much less when they do their shopping every day.

The prime minister added that many families he was meeting had told him that they were finding it hard to choose from among the eight Nationalist Party candidates who were contesting the European Parliament election next month.

This meant that the PN was putting forward the best candidates possible, all of whom were capable and consistent on EU affairs.