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8 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY •25 MAY 2022 Inflation index used to calculate wage increases up by 5.7% in April The Retail Price Index published by the National Statistics Office shows that overall inf lation in April increased by 5.7%, on the back of higher food and house maintenance prices KURT SANSONE Consumer prices increased by 5.7% in April as measured by the index on which the annu- al cost of living wage increase is determined, figures out on Tuesday show. The Retail Price Index (RPI) published by the National Sta- tistics Office shows that annual inflation in April increased by more than a percentage point over the previous month. The main drivers behind the April increase were house maintenance costs and food. Housing prices increased by a whopping 15.1% on the back of higher costs for materials and services used in mainte- nance when compared to April last year. This was followed by food, which increased by 9.2%. Contrary to what is happen- ing in Europe, the prices for electricity and water in Malta have registered no increase as a result of government's inter- vention to cushion the impact. Inflation was already on the rise towards the end of last year as higher demand from the post-COVID recovery was hampered by supply chain problems. However, the Rus- sian invasion of Ukraine in February caused turmoil to global energy and food mar- kets. The 12-month moving average rate, which helps over- come seasonality issues that impact the annual and monthly inflation rates, in April stood at 2.9%. The RPI confirms the findings from last week of the Harmonised Index of Consum- er Prices, which is a slightly different measurement, that showed inflation continuing its upward trend. The RPI is used for the computation of the CO- LA and adjustments in wages and rents. Economist Philip von Brock- dorff has anticipated that wag- es could increase by more than €6 per week next year if the cost of living continues the up- ward trend seen so far. "If things continue as they are, the cost of living adjustment (COLA) in the next budget could be more than €6," he said last week during a discussion on TVM News Plus' Xtra. Von Brockdorff said that the wage increase could render some sectors of the economy less competitive but this was mitigated by the government's heavy intervention to maintain energy prices stable. Keeping energy prices stable helped remove uncertainty, he said, adding however, that if energy prices continue increas- ing it will be difficult for gov- ernment to maintain the same level of support. Public will be able to access Qawra school car park The car park underneath the new Qawra primary school will be accessible to the public from July, Education Minister Clift- on Grima revealed in parlia- ment on Monday. Grima made the announce- ment in response to a parlia- mentary question put forward by Nationalist MP Graziella Galea. Last week Galea lambasted the government for failing to provide answers as to when the car park would be available as it was still not accessible two years on. "After several parliamentary questions, I have finally been given an answer. The car park will be accessible from July. I welcome this news. I will con- tinue to pursue so that resi- dents have what they deserve," the PN MP said on social me- dia. The Qawra primary school, which opened its doors to stu- dents in 2020, has an under- lying car park that can host 400 vehicles. The school was opened after a three-year de- lay, with a cost of €13 million to build. No information is yet availa- ble on a similar car park built below the new Marsaskala primary school and which re- mains closed despite promises it would be open for the public. The Qawra school was built to house 650 students and also boasts an underlying car park for 400 vehicles, which is not being used