Opposition Leader Alfred Sant said he was amazed that the prime minister continued insisting that there was no VAT on education, even after receipts were presented to him showing otherwise.

Speaking at a socio-political activity in St Paul’s Bay yesterday, Dr Sant said VAT has to be paid on books, copybooks, computer and laboratory equipment and uniforms, among others.

Lawrence Gonzi, however, does not seem to consider these as an essential part of children’s education and this showed that he was detached from the Maltese family reality.

Dr Sant said Dr Gonzi seemed to feel much more comfortable with bankers than Maltese families.

He was referring to the National Conference on European Economic Monetary Union Governance and Euro Changeover, which took place on Monday.

The Opposition Leader said it was more important for the prime minister to be close to Maltese families, particularly those falling in the middle and lower-class income brackets.

He said the Labour Party, on the other hand, was determined to continue listening to, speaking to and understanding problems and challenges faced by families.

One of the MLP’s priorities was the cost of living, which Dr Gonzi’s government did not seem to have anything to say about, said Dr Sant, adding that over the past few weeks there were price hikes on food, medicines and educational products, said the Labour leader.

He concluded by again saying that should it be elected to government, the MLP would cut the surcharge on utility bills by half.

Families deserved better social protection and the Labour Party would be insisting on the need for an integrated approach with regard to price hikes within the stipulated regulations of the free market the country was part of.