Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt this afternoon published figures to show how households and businesses will benefit from the proposed new energy tariffs announced on Monday.

He said 76 percent of single person households will see their bills drop by 26 percent; 73 percent of two person households will see a decline of 25 percent and 76 percent of three person households will see a decline of 24.3 percent.

88 percent of four person households will see drop of 23.8 percent and 82 percent of five person households will see a drop of 23.7 percent.

Turning to businesses, the ministere said that whereas up to now there had been normal and reduced rates, all would now be on the reduced rate. Furthermore, those who consumed more than 1 million units in a year would pay 12c per unit as opposed to the previous 12c9. Those who consumed 5 million units will pay 11c2 instead of 11c7 and those who consumed more than five million units will pay 8c6 instead of 9c1.

The minister said that 90 percent of commercial users who use less than 20,000 units in a year would see a decline of 29 percent in their bills.

The minister said that all the bills under the October tariffs had now been issued. Referring to calls by 11 trade unions for steeper reductions, the minister said he could not understand the unions' reasoning because Enemalta did not even cover the costs of its oil purchases with the October tariffs.