The Labour Party this morning criticised the government over the sharp increase in the price of diesel earlier this week, warning it would continue to fuel the high cost of living.

The party said this was the first time since fuel prices were liberalised, seven years ago, that the price of diesel was higher than that of unleaded petrol. Furthermore, the price of diesel had more than doubled since the liberalisation came into force.

Regular users of diesel for their business activities had already signalled that the latest increase could put upward pressure on prices, to the detriment of consumers, the MLP said

The party said this record diesel price increase had come at a time when the cost of living was also at a record level.

The government, it insisted, had to live up to its election promise to curb inflation and assure the people that prices would not spiral upwards.