The Labour Party said yesterday that the European Parliament had changed tack and voted for a proposal by Labour MEP Joseph Muscat about mobile phone roaming charges.

It said the parliament’s industry committee had approved Mr Muscat’s proposal that all consumers should automatically enjoy the lower tariffs. The proposal had been turned down by one vote by the internal market committee where an alliance had wanted consumers to ask to be given the new tariffs.

The Socialist Group said the new vote was a gain for all consumers and recognised that this was made because of Mr Muscat’s steadfastness in his report.

A final vote will be taken by the European Parliament in Brussels on 10 May.