The Nationalist Party submitted a motion for Parliament to discuss the Cost of Living later this month

 "Because the Labour Government is so out of touch with the realities faced by families, businesses, and the self-employed, it had to be the PN to call for an urgent parliamentary discussion on the rising cost of living and the measures needed to ease the burden on many," the party said.

The PN spoke of the urgent need for the Government to acknowledge the growing financial strain this phenomenon is placing on the Maltese and Gozitan people and to take concrete action to address it.

"To ensure that this issue is debated in Parliament with the urgency it deserves, the Opposition will dedicate its allocated parliamentary session on Thursday 13th February to discussing this motion."

"This motion is being presented in light of the rising prices of essential goods such as food, medicines, and services, which are negatively affecting many, particularly those on low and middle incomes. Beyond families, the increasing costs are also placing a growing burden on businesses and the self-employed, as confirmed by another recently published study," the party said.

Through this motion, the PN is demanding that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is granted in full and remains tax-free so that workers and pensioners can benefit from it entirely.

It is also demanding that the government provides tax credits to SMEs and businesses to help them absorb wage increases without having to raise prices further. It also demands that a national fund is established to provide financial support to importers and exporters, helping to reduce their costs. It also demands that the economic model shifts from one "based on disproportionate population growth to one that invests in new and innovative economic sectors that offer better-paying jobs for Maltese and Gozitan workers."

"The Government has created problems that are now being felt by almost everyone. This is because the Labour Government had no long-term plan and assumed it could increase the population without causing any issues. However, this has led to increased pressure on services and prices, with negative consequences for the economy and the country's infrastructure."

"Today, it is widely recognised that these problems were created by the Labour Government. Yet, it had to be the PN to remind the Government that the realities faced by many are vastly different from those experienced by Robert Abela and those around him," the PN said.

The PN expressed its hope that in the parliamentary debate on the cost of living, the Government "will be somewhat more sensitive than it has been in recent years and will adopt some of the proposals put forward by the Opposition." The party has requested that a vote on the motion be taken in Parliament on the day.