What further evidence does the government need to take effective measures?
Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson, Haris Polycarpou
9 October 2026, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
The figures released yesterday by the Statistical Service regarding price rises for food and essential goods demonstrate that expensiveness and the cost of living has brought households and small and medium-sized enterprises to their knees. What further evidence does the government need to realise the extent of the cost of living crisis facing households and small and medium-sized enterprises?
At the same time, the government ruling forces confirm that, compared with the increases being recorded, the government’s existing measures are proving inadequate and are having no real impact on people’s daily lives.
For this reason, AKEL insists that immediate measures are needed that will have a real impact on households’ purchasing power, including:
- A targeted transport allowance, alongside a request to the European Union to abolish double taxation on fuel.
- A 50 per cent reduction in the cost of vehicle registration for vehicles owned by low- and middle-income households.
- Effective market supervision with more rigorous price controls.
- Extension of the heating allowance to families on low and middle incomes, rather than solely on the basis of their geographical location.
- A permanent 5 per cent VAT rate on electricity, an expansion of social tariffs, and a tiered system to cover electricity price rises that benefits more households.
- Permanent schemes for energy upgrades, solar panels and energy storage, based on social and income criteria.
The government of Nikos Christodoulides must realise that, in a thriving economy, it is not enough simply to record budget surpluses. Social deficits, income inequalities and the growing financial difficulties faced by the majority of society must be addressed. All the more so when these budget surpluses come from the pockets of the public.
