The failure by the government to explain reports which indicate that the fuel price rises were double what they should have been is unjustifiable, Labour MP Michael Farrugia, spokesman for consumer rights, said.

According to the reports, taking into consideration the exchange rate and oil’s international prices, the price increases should have been much lower than those announced: The maximum justifiable increase for petrol should have been 1c, not 3c, and 3c, not 7c, for diesel.

The government has not contradicted any of these figures, Dr Farrugia said.

For every €10 consumers spend in petrol or diesel, only €4.50 are related to the price of oil, the remaining €5.50 are taxes imposed by the government.

It was worth pointing out that, as had been said by the Malta Employers Association, the higher prices announced by the government have nothing to do with events in Libya. Dr Farrugia appealed to the government to find the money to pass the benefit to families, just as it had found the money to award its ministers two salaries.