Expenditure on social benefits will near €1.2 billion in 2022, with the majority of them going to 95,000 pensioners, Solidarity and Social Justice Minister Michael Falzon said today.

Addressing the media, Falzon said that the government continues to invest in people, in contrast with an opposition party that describes such an investment as a waste of money.

Falzon reiterated most of the measures that the government announced last Monday in the presentation of the budget, including the €5 weekly increase to be given to all pensioners, of which €3.25 is additional to the €1.75 cost of living adjustment.

This is the seventh consecutive year in which pensions have been increased, with an investment of €24 million.

Every pensioner has seen a rise of €14.18 per week compared to 2018 which added to the €11.07 increase in the cost of living, takes it to a total of €25.50.

Every pension has seen a rise of €737.36 per year since 2018, Falzon said.

The government appreciated the work carried out by these pensioners in the past and will continue to remain grateful to their contribution.

Some 1,200 people will be receiving a pension for the first time after adjustments were made to the National Insurance contribution system.