The Labour Party yesterday lambasted the latest increase in gas prices, saying the hikes were by far the highest in the EU.

While the price of gas in Malta rose by 32 per cent, the increases in the eurozone were just one per cent, PL spokesman on economic affairs Gavin Gulia said.

Furthermore, on average there were no increases in gas prices in all EU states, with the exception of Finland, he said.

The increases were approved last Thursday by the Malta Resources Authority following a request made by sole distributor Liquigas Malta Ltd.

A 10kg cylinder now costs €11.80, up from €9, while the cost of a 12kg cylinder increased in price to €13.90 from €10.50.

A 15kg cylinder of LPG costs €17, up from €13, while a 25kg cylinder now costs €27.30, up from €20.50.

Dr Gulia said the government had justified the increases in gas prices last year because the last remaining subsidies on gas products had been lifted.

Therefore, the increase ann-ounced last Thursday was supposed to reflect market price fluctuations.

Statistics show that the highest increases after Malta were in Slovenia and Cyprus - and those increases were half those seen in Malta, according to Dr Gulia.