Labour leader Joseph Muscat said that the European Commission had uncovered the government’s plans to up electricity rates after the next election.

Speaking during a political activity in Pieta this evening, Dr Muscat said that a European Commission document stated that: "Energy inflation is forecast to strengthen under the assumption of an increase in electricity prices".

This document was written under the assumption that this was the government's policy for next year.

Dr Muscat said that this was the same ‘hiding game’ that the government had played in 2008. He said that the government had no credibility when it came to a sustainable energy policy, and was only investing in renewable energy now. Besides, it had just chosen a power station extension that ran on heavy fuel oil.

He pledged that a new Labour energy policy would be based on alternative sources of energy. Energy would be generated from gas and people would be encouraged to invest in renewable energy. Photovoltaic panels would make more sense for families because Labour would also be reducing the electricity rates, he said.

“The next Budget is an election Budget, and the government will undoubtedly be generous. But in the next Budget, it will come back for everything and more.”

“Labour will bring back confidence into the country.”