Ed Miliband discusses Labour's plan for publicly-owned energy

       The Tories have blasted Labour’s “reckless” energy proposals while announcing the price cap will remain in every year of Parliament under the Conservatives.

       Regulator Ofgem is today expected to announce a drop in household bills for the period between July and September.

       The cost of energy for a home using a typical amount of gas and electricity could fall from ￡1,690 a year to ￡1,574, reports have suggested.

       Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho MP said: “Labour does not have a serious approach to Britain’s energy security and they aren't honest about the costs that their reckless net zero targets would place on households.

       “Thanks to our bold action, energy bills are at their lowest in two years, now we’re telling suppliers to put consumers first and bring real competition back to the market - cutting bills further and improving customer service.

       "Only the Conservatives have a clear plan for a secure future where we reach net zero without punishing families with extra costs.”

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       Ofgem's latest quarterly price cap affects 29 million households in England, Wales and Scotland.

       The price cap sets the maximum amount suppliers can charge for each unit of gas and electricity but not the total bill - meaning if a consumer uses more, they pay more.

       Under new plans announced today, Ms Coutinho will seek consumers’ views on the best way to access clear information about energy prices through comparison services.

       The Cabinet Minister said this will help households find cheaper energy bills, increase competition and protect customers from bad practice.

       She also confirmed the cost of energy bill levies will be lower in every year of the next Parliament than they were last year if the Tories take the keys to No10 at the general election on July 4.

       The Conservatives said: “Families will be able to make more informed choices about their energy supplier, helping them make the most of saving by switching to cheaper deals in a similar way to choosing other services like mortgages or insurance.

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       “The plans also include working with Ofgem to produce a league table on suppliers’ customer complaints, wait times and responses, to give consumers a clearer choice about which provider meets their needs.

       “The choice at this election is a clear plan under the Conservatives to secure family finances for the future. Or Labour who will make voters pay for their energy plans by not being honest about the cost of net zero, and ultimately will risk our energy independence.”

       Meanwhile the Labour Party wants to create Great British Energy, a new publicly-owned clean energy company.

       The party said this will use Britain’s sun, wind and wave energy to save ￡93 billion for UK households, deliver 100% clean power by 2030 and cut energy bills for good.

       A Labour spokesman said: “After 14 years of failed Conservative energy policy, all Rishi Sunak has left to offer is a bunch of empty buzzwords, none of which will do anything to bring down energy bills for hardworking families.

       “This is not a plan - this is a call for evidence, a set of options, two consultations, a copy and paste job from an old letter, and lots of wishful thinking. The Tories grand idea after 14 years in power is to ask the public if their energy bills are too high.

       “Bills are projected to be more than ￡400 higher than before the energy crisis- and are projected to rise again in the winter. But the only action the Conservatives have suggested here is to ditch their previous plan to abandon the energy price cap, a policy they only implemented because Labour campaigned for it.

       “The Conservatives will never end the cost of living crisis - only Labour has a plan to cut bills and make Britain energy independent.”

       Related articles Labour MP flounders as he’s asked to name one flagship Labour policy Labour's green 'super quango' will cost households nearly ￡3,000, Tories warn Martin Lewis ‘strongly’ says fix energy now to slash ￡152 off bills Energy prices 'to remain high and volatile for the foreseeable future', Ofgem Energy bill warning as faulty smart meters risk leaving Brits in debt

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