Miliband: put pensioners on cheapest energy tariffs

Ed Miliband would force the Big Six energy firms to give pensioners their cheapest tariffs if he was in power, he declared yesterday. Criticising complicated pay structures for bills, the […]

Ed Miliband would force the Big Six energy firms to give pensioners their cheapest tariffs if he was in power, he declared yesterday.

Criticising complicated pay structures for bills, the Labour leader said: “We’ve got six main energy companies in Britain. Competition should be good for consumers. But the way that the current market works is disadvantaging them. The tariffs are so complicated at the moment that 80% of people are overpaying for their gas and electricity.”

He vowed to take a tougher stance on energy firms by forcing them to create cheaper deals for the elderly, who he said were least able to find lower prices themselves.

The Opposition Leader said: “I’ll give the energy companies a simple rule. By all means put different products out there and for different kinds of consumers. But we will ensure you give pensioners over seventy-five the lowest tariff on offer. You make it happen, or we’ll put it into law.”

Mr Miliband gave his speech to an audience from community group Citizens UK at the OXO Tower in London.

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