The Opposition said in a statement this morning that it expects the government to announce a decrease in fuel prices during this evening's Parliamentary debate. Parliament will tonight be discussing a PN motion calling for an immediate and substantial decrease in fuel prices.

"For the sake of transparency, Joseph Muscat should also publish the fuel hedging agreement he spoke so many times about before the last general election."

The PN said the meeting Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi is holding today with the social partners only happened on its insistence. "In fact, all of the social partners, save for the General Workers Union, have expressed concern over the high fuel prices and called for an immediate reduction."

Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil and Transport Shadow Minister Marthese Portelli met the social partners more than a week ago, the PN said. Only the GWU refused to attend. The PN explained its position on the matter and the reasons why the government should revise fuel prices downwards.

Last week the government announced a marginal reduction in fuel prices but this was only a reaction to the pressure piled on it by the Opposition. "A four-cent reduction is not enough for families and businesses, who are paying among the highest prices for fuel in Europe."

The PN said that, according to the latest European Commission statistics, Maltese families and businesses are paying the fifth highest prices for petrol and the fourth highest for diesel in the EU."