The Nationalist Party has argued that Maltese and Gozitan businesses and families should not bear the costs of what it described as the Labour government's failure to plan for population growth.

In a statement, the party said the government had built an economic model dependent on unchecked population growth and was now proposing measures that would shift the resulting costs onto employers.

The PN warned that additional costs imposed on businesses could eventually be passed on to consumers, placing further pressure on households.

It said the government should take responsibility for its economic policies rather than continue to make businesses and families pay for what it described as its mistakes.

The party called for an economic model based on productivity, investment and quality jobs, rather than continued population growth and the additional burdens it brings.

It also argued that, if the government wanted to increase revenue, it should address what it described as wasteful public spending on consultancy contracts awarded to "friends of friends", instead of placing further costs on businesses.

The statement was signed by Michael Piccinino, the PN's Shadow Minister for the Self-Employed, Small Enterprises and Cooperatives, and Darren Carabott, shadow Minister for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects.