According to official statistics, it is now clear that all sectors apart from manufacturing are moving backwards under a Nationalist government, Labour Deputy leader for Parliamentary Affairs Charles Mangion said yesterday.

He said that in the first six months of the year, retail sales had fallen by 29 per cent, with income from tourism down by over Lm3 million in the same period. This, Dr Mangion added, is a clear indication of the failure of a Nationalist government in every sector, with falling salaries and a reduction in full time employees.

Commenting on the past three years of this government, Dr Mangion said that this had been characterised by gross increases in costs and taxes and a general decline in standards. He said that the promise to review the tax bands vindicated Labour’s statements that taxes are way too high.

Dr Mangion said that as time goes by, it is becoming ever more apparent that the government has lost control in all sectors and is incapable of addressing the challenges being faced. He said that this contrasts with Labour’s seriously prepared plans on health, education, Gozo and industry, among others, which will eventually form the basis of a sound policy framework that a new Labour government will deliver to everyone.