MCESD to discuss Caritas’s minimum budget report

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has asked the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) to discuss a report published by charity organisation Caritas on decent living.

In a report published last month, Caritas proposed for the statutory minimum wage to increase from around €150 per week to €180 per week.

In its study, A Minimum Budget for a Decent Living, Caritas concluded that the minimum essential budget for a household of two adults and two children is estimated at €10,634, a lone parent and two children at €8,581 and for two older persons at €6,328.

The study also highlighted the need to urgently address the financial situation of lone parent families, who Caritas says are at the highest risk of poverty.

Addressing the ceremony for the appointment of councillors and mayors, Gonzi told the councillors that their role was important for residents to improve their lifestyles and to take informed decisions.

"When Caritas presented their report to the Cabinet, they highlighted the important role local councils played to make informed decisions. What schools are teaching right now during home economics and personal and social development (PSD) classes, could be spread among the community by the local councils," Gonzi said.

The Prime Minister said Caritas was proposing that local councils could help the residents in their financial and lifestyle choices, so that their decisions can be sustainable.

"These include simple advices on how to reduce water and electricity consumption without affecting negatively the residents' standard of living," Gonzi said, while encouraging the councillors to seek initiatives to help the residents.

The Prime Minister said that a government led by him would continue to help and support local councils by guaranteeing annual financial investments in the councils and by improving administrative and legal structures so that councils would be "public oriented".

Gonzi also called on the councillors to work as a team and serve as a "good example" for the residents.