The Malta Labour Party has been correct all the way. The rise in the cost of living is much higher than the Nationalist government wanted us to believe, and I wonder what would be the case now if no agreement had been reached with a number of businessmen to exercise price control because of the introduction of the euro.

Every week it seems that prices go up on any items that are considered necessary. I go shopping regularly, and although I buy more or less the same items, the bill inevitably is always more expensive week after week. Sometimes I even try to reduce one or two items that I normally buy, but I still end up paying more.

Is the government aware of the hardships families have to face because of this? My husband’s wages do not go up, and when they do, the few euros extra given do not make up for the increased costs. Added to this, once wages increase, the price of commodities increases too because supermarkets have to make up for their added costs in wages.

The thing is that I think what we earn as a family is not that bad, and therefore I wonder what other families who earn less than us do to cope with the expenses. No amount of children’s allowances will make up for the costs we have to face every day.

The government does little to control inflation. It is a real pity, because everyone is feeling the pinch. As a solution, my family has decided to stop our weekly meal at a restaurant. It is the only way that we could make ends meet.

Maria Cassar

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