Britain plans to force energy suppliers to offer only a limited number of gas and electricity tariffs, aiming to ensure consumers get the best deal in the government\'s latest attempt to ease pressure on living standards.
The government said energy suppliers will have to make sure customers are on the best-value tariff a nd will have to offer just one fixed and one variable-rate option, as well as scrapping \"dual fuel\" discounts for customers receiving both electricity and gas from one supplier, or based on payment methods.
The plans come after Prime Minister David Cameron last month promised to legislate so energy companies have to give the lowest tariff to their customers, a vow which was criticised at the time by his political opponents as being undeliverable.
\"Bill payers will no longer face the impossible choice between hundreds of tariffs,\" said Energy Secretary Edward Davey. \"Each customer will have a maximum of four tariffs for gas or electricity per supplier to consider.\" For Cameron the issue has emerged as a political priority.
The government said energy suppliers will have to make sure customers are on the best-value tariff a nd will have to offer just one fixed and one variable-rate option, as well as scrapping \"dual fuel\" discounts for customers receiving both electricity and gas from one supplier, or based on payment methods.
The plans come after Prime Minister David Cameron last month promised to legislate so energy companies have to give the lowest tariff to their customers, a vow which was criticised at the time by his political opponents as being undeliverable.
\"Bill payers will no longer face the impossible choice between hundreds of tariffs,\" said Energy Secretary Edward Davey. \"Each customer will have a maximum of four tariffs for gas or electricity per supplier to consider.\" For Cameron the issue has emerged as a political priority.