The Labour Party and Alternattiva, in quick succession, have criticised the government's decision to scrap the eco refunds scheme given to consumers who buy energy efficiency equipment. The scheme will end on May 31.

Labour environment spokesman Roderick Galdes said the government's decision had surprised the MLP since before the election the Prime Minister had projected himself as the defender of the environment.

He said Labour was against the government’s decision, which went against all policies of promoting the use of environmentally-friendly appliances. The government was giving a very bad example with regard to sustainability.

This decision confirmed the findings of a report, recently compiled by a think tank headed by Martin Scicluna which had said that: “In many major respects the environment has become worse”.

Carmel Cacopardo, AD’s spokesman on sustainable development, said the scheme had rewarded those who made wise choices for the environment by opting for equipment which used less power and polluted less.

AD said it was now waiting to see how the government intended to keep its environment promises.