After being sent a heart-breaking letter from a six-year old, pleading for help for classmates going hungry as “their parents do not have money to buy food”, Nationalist Party MEP Roberta Metsola has decried the “devastating impact” of the pandemic.

Sharing the letter on Facebook, Dr Metsola explained the pandemic has been particularly difficult on children.

She also reiterated that: “Behind every job, every business, is a person, a family, that relies on it. Many are facing an uncertain future”.

“SMEs and retail have been hit hard and entire sectors like hospitality, tourism, performance arts and so many more are suffering”, she said.

“We need to do more, much more, to support families going through difficult times - and we can all do our bit by buying local products from local businesses....and keep encouraging children to speak out about the issues they see. Our country's future is bright.”

On her part, Dr Metsola promised to bring up the issue of children going hungry.