The people have already started to return to the government the pay increase they received in the cost of living adjustment mentioned in the budget, before they even began to benefit from it, a Democratic Party statement said.

It was referring to the 4c increase in the price fuel that was announced on Tuesday by Enemed. A litre of petrol will now cost €1.31 while diesel will cost €1.18.

The Democratic Party pointed to the moment when the price of oil was at rock bottom, and the government had not reduced fuel prices substantially since it wanted to keep the price stabilised.

This, the statement says, was of benefit to the government and put further pressure on families and businesses.

The Democratic Party also raised questions regarding the gas power station which was meant to be finished two years ago and is still not ready.

“Instead, the Maltese people are tied with a private company, guaranteed by public money in a contract that never saw the light of the day, to buy high-priced energy, when the people can benefit from a reduction in electricity costs from the interconnector”

The Democratic Party also challenged the government to hold a press conference much like when it had announced a reduction of 2c, and a parliamentary statement in which the people are given all the answers to the questions surrounding this sector.