Ministry refutes MLP surcharge claim

The Infrastructure, Transport and Communications Ministry yesterday refuted the calculations of the proposed utility tariffs by the Malta Labour Party, which said that what was being proposed by the government was equivalent to a surcharge of 245 per cent.

The MLP on Monday insisted that the government should scrap its plans and start from scratch, adding that, according to its analysis, the proposed rates would push electricity bills up by between €5 and €9 a week for each household while the cost of water would rise by between 70c and €1.60 a week.

The government noted that the MLP had failed to come up with its counter-proposals but did not comment on the calculations as announced by the MLP. In reaction, the MLP said that the fact that the government chose not to comment about the calculations meant that Labour had hit the nail on the head.

The government rejected this conclusion, pointing out it was confirming nothing and adding that it did not feel the need to comment given that the consultation process with the social partners was still going on.

The Malta Council for Economic and Social Development meets today to discuss a revised package by the government.