‘Urgent’ need for compensation

Labour’s spokesman for consumer rights has called on the government to immediately grant financial compensation to make up for the rises in energy prices.

Michael Farrugia said the government did not have to wait until the end of March to see whether there had been a negative impact on the population from the higher gas and fuel prices.The Malta Council for Economic and Social Development had agreed in January the government would, by the end of March, submit a report on the impact of the rising energy prices to establish whether further compensation was due.

“Everybody knows families are suffering great burdens as a result of the rising cost of living and energy prices and from decisions taken by Lawrence Gonzi’s government in the last Budget,” Dr Farrugia said.