The Labour Party has pledged to increase the eligibility bracket for energy benefits, Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Tuesday.
The Energy Benefit is aimed to mitigate the effect of the increase in expenditure on water and electricity bills of low income families.
"We are going to widen the limit by €2500 a year for low income couples", he said. This means that many pensioners will also benefit from it, leaving more funds in their pockets.
During a political event in Zabbar, Abela said that because of this new proposal, those eligible will benefit from a decrease in their energy bills, as well as a tax rebate on gas. He added that this will leave a total of €314 in the pockets of many elderly people.
He added that people aged over 75 who are still living at home will benefit from an increase of €200 a year, on top of the benefits proposed.
Abela said that all these benefits together, as well as others, will leave a total of €1600 in people's pockets.
He struck out against the PN's electoral manifesto, claiming that one can find nothing other than forms with terms and conditions. He said that contrary to this, the PL gives details about how much every proposal will cost.
Addressing those who criticize the PL for giving money in the form of tax refund cheques, Abela said that it is able to do so because it has made the economy stronger and attracted investment.
He added that with Bernard Grech as Prime minister, there will be no tax refund cheques, whilst with him as Prime minister there will be a widening of the tax bands. He added that a PL government would invest a total of €90 million in the people, from which €24 million will be in the form of tax refund cheques each year.
Turning to pensions, he said that during the budget they increased and from the beginning of this year.
"In the five years to come, we are going to increase pensions by more than we already have done," said Abela. He said that pensioners will remain at the heart of the PL campaign.
"If you trust us with your vote, we will increase pensions by €15 a week, together with other benefits and a new COLA mechanism." he said.