Prime Minister David Cameron sought to regain the initiative in a political battle over soaring energy prices on Wednesday, promising to improve competition in the sector and cut green taxes that have helped inflate prices.
His announcement caused a rift with his coalition partners, the Liberal Democrats, who dismissed it as a panicky policy that had been "made up on the hoof ... by a party getting cold feet on the environment".
Energy costs have become high-profile political football in Britain since several energy firms unveiled sharp price increases and the opposition Labour Party promised to freeze bills for 20 months if it won the next election in 2015.
How much Britons pay to heat their homes has played into a wider debate about the cost of living, which has risen as inflation and price rises from everything from utility bills to train tickets have outstripped stagnant wages.
"We need to roll back some of the green regulations and charges," Cameron told parliament during an emotionally-charged debate. "We'll be having a proper competition test carried out over the next year to get to the bottom of whether this market can be more competitive."
Even though the economy is improving, Labour, who are just ahead in most polls, says many people are faced with a choice between "eating and heating", and it accusing Cameron's Conservatives of being out of touch.
"We need to roll back some of the green regulations and charges," Cameron told parliament during an emotionally-charged debate. "We'll be having a proper competition test carried out over the next year to get to the bottom of whether this market can be more competitive."
Even though the economy is improving, Labour, who are just ahead in most polls, says many people are faced with a choice between "eating and heating", and it accusing Cameron's Conservatives of being out of touch.
Cameron described the cost of energy as unacceptable, but said Labour's plans to freeze prizes were an unworkable "con". He too was prepared to intervene in the sector, he added, but in a way that was practical.
Source: Reuters
