900 Persons To Benefit From Increase In Rent Benefit

Jan 12 2024

From January 2024, around 900 tenants will benefit from an increase in the Rent Benefit.

This was announced by the Minister for Social and Affordable Accommodation, Roderick Galdes, in a press conference.

Minister Galdes recalled that since the government introduced the reform in the Rent Benefit in 2019, this will be the second substantial increase.

He stated, ‘Once again, this increase will not only be assisting people in paying their rent but will also be improving their quality of life after paying the rent.’ He also announced that with this increase, any individual currently receiving less than €125 per month as Rent Benefit will no longer receive less.

Minister Roderick Galdes explained the changes as follows:

For a single person, an increase from €3,600 to €4,200;

For a family with one child, an increase from €4,800 to €5,400; and

For a family with two or more children, an increase from €5,000 to €6,000.

The Chief Executive of the Housing Authority, Matthew Zerafa, emphasized the importance of affordability and stability in the rental market.

He stated, ‘Ensuring that this sector remains strong from every aspect while making sure that benefits like these are always more accessible.’

The Permanent Secretary, Emanuel Psaila, was also present at the press conference.”

#MaltaDaily

“We Do Not Know If We’ll Graduate”, MCAST Students Lament

MCAST Students Lament State Of Classes, Impact Of Strikes

Jan 12 2024

Speaking to MaltaDaily, MCAST students have lamented over various issues which they and their peers are facing as ongoing directives impact the release of exam and assignment results.

Speaking to MaltaDaily, it was explained that the lack of agreement between the Malta Union of Teacher and MCAST is causing a strain on students as they do not know where they stand in terms of results and how this will impact their graduation prospects.

The students that spoke to MaltaDaily explained to this newsroom how they are still expected to hand in assignments on time despite receiving no feedback. “Considering that we are in our final year, this adds on more stress on us, apart from the thesis”, said one particular student who wanted to remain anonymous.

Furthermore, the state of the classrooms were pointed out to be horrible, with the students in question sharing images of said classrooms.

The students are refraining from striking themselves as they “want to get their education” and “pretend/expect to get feedback on assessments.”

All the students that spoke to MaltaDaily wished to remain anonymous.

#MaltaDaily

EU President Roberta Metsola Interviewed By Time Magazine

Jan 12 2024

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was interviewed by TIME Magazine’s Adam Rasmi, detailing the President’s career in the position and her upcoming goals and aims.

“When Metsola was first sworn in as President of the European Parliament, she could hardly have anticipated the two events that have defined her tenure.”

“Somebody asked me on the day of my election, ‘What will you do?’” she is quoted in saying, pointing to priorities like rolling out the E.U.’s COVID-19 recovery package, focusing on the European Green Deal, and pushing to overhaul the bloc’s asylum and migration rules.

The article highlights the launching of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as well as Qatargate 10 months later as the two key moments of Metsola’s presidency.

But there’s reason to believe the European Parliament’s powers will continue to grow, even if the more sweeping proposals don’t come to pass. A lot has changed since the days when Metsola first got involved in European politics some two decades ago, when the institution’s work was more easily dismissed. “Now, [MEPs] are called legislators, in all areas,” she says. “And if we are not, we fight for it.”

#MaltaDaily

95% Of People Think Paceville Needs More CCTV Cameras

Jan 12 2024

Asking our followers whether Paceville should have more CCTV cameras, 95% of respondents said that this should be the case.

This comes after Interior Minister Byron Camilleri revealed, after an altercation between bouncers and a man, Idriss Ahmed Adem, that more CCTV cameras will be installed in the Entertainment Mecca to boost security and prevent abuse.

Asking our followers where Malta needs more CCTV cameras, our followers suggested the likes of Valletta’s Bus Terminal, Marsaskala, St Paul’s Bay and Mosta.

Others suggested that all of Malta should have more CCTV cameras, whereas others argued for there to be less cameras.

What do you think?

#MaltaDaily