Karl Chircop, MLP spokesman on social protection, said thousands of pensioners had recently received a letter full of praise for the Nationalist Party. Among others, he said, Lawrence Gonzi reminded the elderly that in the last budget the government had given an increase split in two – the Lm1 increase in pensions, and the 50c per week to be given in one lump sum once a year.

Dr Chircop said this was all deception because there was no guarantee that the 50c would continue being given in future. The Labour Party was promising that this increase would be assimilated as a pension increase in the pension cheque.

This was intended as a streamlining measure for the social benefits.