Households with smart meters could get £10 a day in return for cutting their energy consumption in the event of blackouts.

Under a new scheme which is being examined as the government’s response to potential energy shortages in winter, Britons will be urged to use electric appliances, including washing machines off-peak hours.

The measure follows National Grid’s Winter Outlook report, which did not rule out power cuts for up to three hours this winter.

Government figures show that an estimated 27.8 million households were using a smart meter at the end of 2021.

A few days ago, energy regulator Ofgem warned that Britain could be hit by a gas supply emergency in the coming months.

A government spokesperson said: “The UK has a secure and diverse energy system. We are confident in our plans to protect households and businesses in the full range of scenarios this winter, in light of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.

“To strengthen this position further, we have put plans in place to secure supply and National Grid, working alongside energy suppliers and Ofgem, will launch a voluntary service to reward users who reduce demand at peak times.”