Single parent families were finding it difficult to purchase or rent a decent property in which to live, Labour MPs Dr Karl Chircop and Dr Stefan Buontempo said yesterday.

Quoting ETC figures that there are 6,000 single parent families in Malta, they said that only 29 per cent are actually working, compared to 82 per cent in other European countries.

The remaining 71 per cent depend on social welfare and 44 per cent of these families were risking poverty, the added.

This situation was creating numerous problems for them, especially financially, and preventing them from finding a decent place to live.

They said that couples were already finding it difficult to buy or rent a place, let alone single parent families.

Dr Chircop and Dr Buontempo said the burden could be eased if they were given the opportunity to pay the rent and yet have enough time to take care of their family.