Speaking in Rabat, Dr Sant said that the government was entangled in problems it had created itself, and now wanted to put the burden on Maltese and Gozitan families.

The country needed reforms for the economy to be more competitive. But this did not mean that we should accept an attack on the welfare state with the excuse that the welfare state hindered productivity and competitiveness.

The MLP will insist that the reforms the country needed would not be at the expense of social gains. If the improvement in education, health and pensions is not sustained, the country would not be able to compete with other countries in terms of the creation of more job opportunities.

Dr Sant said that the MLP will insist on solidarity between all parties concerned to defend social services.