The Conservative Party aims to ensure the cost of energy in the UK remains affordable and competitive.

That’s according to its election manifesto released earlier today, in which the party says it would commission an independent review to see how this can be achieved whilst simultaneously ensuring reliable supply and working towards 2050 carbon reduction objectives.

The manifesto also outlines plans to establish an industrial energy efficiency scheme, to protect energy customers from unacceptable price rises and to upgrade all fuel poor homes to EPC Band C by 2030.

Theresa May’s party promises to give consumers more control over their energy bills by offering smart meters to every household and business by the end of 2020.

The Conservatives say they will continue to support the UK’s oil and gas sector to make the most of existing reserves and to begin developing a world leading decommissioning industry in the North Sea.

They also plan to increasingly adopt shale gas, which they say will reduce emissions as it’s cleaner than coal and will make the UK less reliant on imports.

The party does not believe that more large-scale onshore wind power is suitable for England but will maintain our position as a global leader in offshore wind and support the development of both onshore and offshore wind projects in Scotland.

The manifesto says £600 million will be invested by 2020 to make almost all vehicles zero emission by 2050.