Updated 1300
Cost of housing benefits soar, Housing Authority says: Malta’s spending on housing benefits has quadrupled since 2019, reflecting ongoing affordability challenges. In 2023, €14.4 million was allocated to two key schemes. The Housing Benefit Scheme, aiding low-income tenants—often single parents or divorced individuals—reduced rents from €600 to €333 on average for 4,000 households. However, participation dropped to 2,900 households in 2024, costing €5 million so far, similar to 2019 figures but with a higher cost. The pre-1995 lease scheme, introduced in 2021, supports older adults and pensioners. It benefited 1,100 families last year, costing €4.8 million, rising to 1,500 families in 2024. Despite these efforts, housing costs remain a major financial burden, particularly for the elderly, and 95% of properties deemed unaffordable for single earners in their late 20s according to a KPMG report last year.
1,817 vacancies in Church schools in 2025: The Admission Regulations for Church Schools in Malta and Gozo for 2025-2026 have been published online by the Archdiocese of Malta. A total of 1,817 places are available (1,577 in Malta and 240 in Gozo). Specific provisions apply for serious cases, including students requiring Learning Support Educators (LSEs), social cases, and asylum seekers. For 2024-2025, 3,637 applications in Malta competed for 1,761 places, while 299 applications in Gozo vied for 52 spots, reflecting high demand.
Amendments to electricity regulations come into force: New electricity regulation amendments have come into effect to align the energy infrastructure with the country’s current needs, including solar energy and electric vehicles. Ground-floor maisonette residents can now install solar panels on rooftops, even without roof access. Enemalta Executive Chairman Ryan Fava highlighted that the changes address the growing reliance on electric appliances and improve safety by allowing circuit breakers to be installed inside apartments. These updates, developed with the Regulator for Energy and Water Services, enhance practicality and safety while preparing infrastructure for the rising adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions.
Morning Briefing
Former PM calls on police to investigate Vitals’ forensic expert
Former PM Joseph Muscat, Konrad Mizzi, Keith Schembri, and others charged in the Vitals hospitals concession case have called on the police commissioner to take criminal action against a forensic expert who admitted under oath that she lacked an accountant’s warrant, despite being appointed as such by a magistrate. Alongside several co-defendants, including Clarence John Conger-Thompson and companies like Kasco Engineering and Technoline, they filed a complaint on Thursday against Miroslava Milenovic, appointed by Magistrate Gabriella Vella for the hospitals inquiry. Under cross-examination, Milenovic admitted she was not a warranted accountant but asserted she was “qualified.” The complainants called upon the police commissioner to investigate the matter without delay and to take criminal action against “the suspect” for a number of crimes including perjury, malicious use of false documents, false declarations to a public authority, forgery and use of forged documents, obtaining money through false pretences as well as breaches under the accountancy and money laundering laws. (Times of Malta)
PN to demand Ministerial responsibility in Valletta protest
The Nationalist Party has announced a protest in Valletta on Monday, following a Standards Commissioner report that found Ministers Clayton Bartolo and Clint Camilleri abused their power. The report revealed that Bartolo’s then-girlfriend, Amanda Muscat, was appointed to a position for which she lacked qualifications and did not perform any work. The protest is scheduled for 6 pm in front of the Parliament building. The PN has been demanding the resignation or dismissal of both ministers since the report’s release. (The Malta Independent)
Travel by Maltese up 10% in Summer
NSO data shows that Maltese travel surged by over 10% between July and September compared to the same period last year. During these summer months, more than 273,000 Maltese residents ventured abroad, with both European and non-European destinations on their itineraries. Italy was the top choice, attracting 44% of Maltese travellers. Travel by Maltese residents rose by 7.7% over the first nine months of the year, with over 641,000 individuals spending more than 4.3 million nights abroad—a 3.4% increase from the previous year. Travel expenditure also saw a notable uptick, with Maltese holidaymakers spending over €597 million, reflecting an 11% rise. The average spend per traveller increased by 3%, reaching €931. (TVM)
