The government should plan to counter problems related to fuel prices beforehand and not expect workers, families and SMEs to make good for its mistakes, said Malta Labour Party MEP Joseph Muscat at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Mr Muscat said Malta’s total dependence on fuel imports translated into higher impacts when fuel prices went up. The MEP alleged that the problem was never addressed with the necessary urgency even if the size of the country may give rise to more creative solutions.

“If limited spaces do not allow big implants, companies and families who opt to invest in cleaner technologies should be given fiscal incentives,” he said.

As a result of the lack of planning in the procurement of fuel, said Mr Muscat, Maltese companies and families were obliged to pay a 45 per cent surcharge on their water and electricity bills. Apart from hardships on families, the surcharge also created extra costs for companies, which in turn lead to inflation.

Worse still, said Mr Muscat, the continuous changes in prices were rendering planning difficult and as a result bringing uncertainty.