The government is failing to acknowledge and take action over the high cost of living which is affecting several Maltese families, the elderly, and youths alike, PN deputy leader David Agius said.

The PN is calling for a solution to this problem, noting an increase in the prices of essential everyday necessities, an issue which is being felt by the Maltese public, particularly those who are deemed vulnerable such as persons with disabilities, the elderly, low-income families and youths, Agius said.

"A PN government will, in the first year, allocate a national fund of €40 million which will specifically aid local industry, entrepreneurs and SMEs, in an attempt to reduce difficulties they face and extra expenses," said Agius.

Agius said that the PL government provides only €1.75 per week COLA, whilst there are those who earn thousands more per day.

The Opposition is also promising a large investment in a strategic international Intermodal hub which facilitates goods being transported by different modes of transport to and from the country. He added that this will provide a large income for the economy and has the potential of creating many job opportunities for the Maltese public.

Agius said that the PN is committed to turning the high cost of living problem into an opportunity for economic growth within the country. "This problem will also be reduced by providing better pay for workers, not with the introduction of cheap labour, but by investing in the education and training of workers," he said.

Agius condemned the Labour Party, accusing the government of bringing the education sector to its knees, with several resignations of ministers and no clear plan for the education system.

The people who are suffering greatly are the vulnerable, namely pensioners, those with an illness, persons with disabilities and people who are in poverty, Agius said. He added that there are thousands of families at risk of poverty, questioning why the introduction of a Poverty Watch Unit has not yet been considered.

"There are many who are struggling to catch up on bills because of the increase in food and medicine prices, having to resort to a lesser standard of living," Agius said.

Referring to a MISCO statistic, 86% of the respondents have said that the cost of living has risen considerably over the past years, said Agius. Within a few weeks, the cost of living has increased by 3.5% as reported by Torċa, the General Workers Union newspaper, Agius highlighted.

Where there is a higher cost of living, there should be an appropriate compensation, he said.

Agius accused the government of stealing millions of Euros from the Maltese public in the way water and electricity bills are worked out and emphasized that a PN government will solve this issue by changing the mechanisms for bills in favour of Maltese families.

PN MP Edwin Vassallo emphasized that this problem has become the main difficulty for the island's citizens. He added that with the way things are, consumer confidence has reduced.

Vassallo said that the country continues to hear stories about theft and corruption in the country, while a Labour government ignores these issues.

PN candidate Francine Farrugia said that MISCO and NSO statistics clearly show that the higher cost of living is leading to more poverty. Farrugia said that whilst the European Central Bank is allowing prices to increase by 2%, in Malta they are increasing further. The €1.75 of cost-of-living adjustment per week is not enough, she said.