Theresa May has vowed to end the "injustice" of rising energy bills by promising a cap on standard variable tariffs in the Tory election manifesto.

The prime minister said the market was "not working", with vulnerable people worst hit by "rip-off" bills.

Industry figures have criticised the plan, first announced last month, saying it could lead to higher prices.

Labour, which offered its own bill cap ahead of the 2015 election, accused the Tories of "desperate stuff".

And the SNP described the proposal as an "election bribe".

Under the Conservative proposal, industry watchdog Ofgem would set a ceiling on default standard variable tariffs. These rates are used by seven out of 10 households and are often criticised as bad deals by industry watchdogs.

Mrs May suggested the move could save about 17 million customers up to £100 a year.

According to Citizens Advice, about 800,000 of the poorest pensioners and 1.5 million low-income families with children are on standard variable tariffs.

These households are paying an average of £141 more a year for a dual fuel gas and electricity bill than if they were on the cheapest deal, it said.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-39852119