Assistance scheme to ease impact of power tariffs

The government has announced a scheme to ease the impact of the increase in the power and water tariffs from January 1.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said today that the government was conscious of the fact that the higher international price of oil, which led to increases in water and electricity rates, placed a burden on families.

"Since the price of oil has increased again, water and electricity rates will be adjusted again as from 1st January of next year. EneMalta's proposal, for this reason, is being assessed by the Malta Resources Authority. But, at this stage and before the new rates are approved, Government feels the need to safeguard for these increases by drafting direct financial assistance for our families so that, as much as possible, a large number of families will not see increases in their bills when compared to those of today. Others will not see increases at all," the minister said amid interruptions.

He said the government would help families that do not consume more than 10,000 units of electricity - nearly 97 percent of all families in the country.

The assistance would be of €30 per household and €25 for each person.

Apart from this, the Energy Benefit would be adjusted to help 28,000 families.