Energy price cap is ditched

RADICAL plans to cap energy bills were abandoned yesterday. In the Tory manifesto, ministers promised an upper limit on gas and electricity tariffs in response to criticism of rip-off prices.

But the policy was a notable omission from the Queen’s Speech. Instead the Government promised a consultation on markets ‘which are not working fairly for consumers’ and help to improve ‘switching and transparency’.

Energy regulator Ofgem must also take action to ‘safeguard customers’.