Discounts on energy bills at times of excess power to help ‘energy independence’

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “With so much now dependent on the forthcoming Energy Independence Bill, we urge the government to treat it as the centrepiece of its domestic agenda after the King’s Speech.

“The Bill must deliver a social tariff framework to protect the lowest-income households, an end to the scandal of forced prepayment meter installations, expanded support for home upgrades including heat pumps, insulation and solar, and provide stronger rights for renters and consumers.

“It must also complete the break between gas prices and electricity bills, move levies off bills and onto general taxation and put financing of network upgrades on the table for discussion.

“The prize is an energy system that is cheaper, cleaner, fairer and more secure. But we will only reach this prize if the government matches its ambition to the moment.”