Plans for flexible energy tariffs to help households cut electricity bills
Energy minister Michael Shanks unveiled the next steps to give households and businesses more freedom and choice over how and when they use energy as part of aims to make savings of up to £70 billion in system costs by 2050.
The Government wants to offer consumers new ways to take advantage of off-peak, lower electricity prices, through flexible tariffs and smart technology.
This includes helping electric vehicle (EV) drivers get discounts on their electricity when using public chargers at off-peak times.
It also plans to ensure suppliers make information on smart tariffs more accessible to consumers, while taking the next steps to offer tailored products and services based on electricity usage.
The so-called Clean Flexibility Roadmap comes as part of the UK's net-zero aims, while also helping lower bills and boosting the resilience of the power network.
Britain will need to shift towards more flexible energy use as the UK becomes more dependent on wind and solar power, such as charging EV batteries when wind is generating a lot of electricity.
Mr Shanks said: 'This roadmap gives households and businesses the choice and control over when and how they use their energy.
'The flexible electricity system we are working to build will help make that a reality for consumers across the country, by supporting them to bring down their bills through using new tariffs and technologies.
'In this way we will protect working people's pockets and ensure they are the first to benefit from our clean power mission.'
A flexibility commissioner will be appointed to lead the policy work, and an annual forum will be set up to track progress on the initiative.
Akshay Kaul, Ofgem's director general for infrastructure group, said: 'A more flexible energy market will be a real game changer, giving households more control over what they pay for their energy.
'Small lifestyle tweaks such as programming a dishwasher or tumble dryer to run overnight when costs are low or charging your electric car during high winds can have a material impact on people's bills.
'At Ofgem we're opening up flexibility markets to bring better tariffs and products to consumers to make cheaper bills a reality.'
The Government has also launched a two-month consultation looking at how more consumers can be supported to use energy flexibly.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Businesses set to be fined for late payments under new rules
Companies that consistently delay payments to their suppliers are set to face substantial fines, potentially running into millions of pounds, as the Prime Minister issued a stern warning that "it's time to pay up". In a significant move to bolster support for small businesses, the government is poised to unveil plans granting the small business commissioner enhanced powers to penalise large firms for persistent late payments. The commissioner will also gain new authority to enforce a crucial rule: suppliers must be paid within 30 days of a valid invoice, unless alternative terms have been agreed. This will be backed by spot checks designed to help identify breaches. Further legislation on the horizon will introduce maximum payment terms, initially set at 60 days, which will subsequently be reduced to 45 days. Sir Keir Starmer has highlighted the burden on businesses, stating that "too many hardworking people are being forced to spend precious hours chasing payments", a process he described as "exhausting". 'From builders and electricians to freelance designers and manufacturers — too many hardworking people are being forced to spend precious hours chasing payments instead of doing what they do best – growing their businesses,' Sir Keir said. 'It's unfair, it's exhausting and it's holding Britain back. 'So, our message is clear, it's time to pay up. 'Through our small business plan, we're not only tackling the scourge of late payments once and for all, but we're giving small business owners the backing and stability they need for their business to thrive, driving growth across the country through our plan for change.' The crackdown on late payments is part of a wider Government package and sits alongside a move to pump £4 billion of financial support into small business start-ups and growth. This is set to include £1 billion for new firms, with 69,000 start-up loans and mentoring support. 'This country is home to some of the brightest entrepreneurs and innovative businesses in the world, and we want to unleash their full potential by giving them back time and money to do what they do best – growing our local economies,' Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said. 'Our small business plan – the first in over a decade – is slashing unnecessary admin costs, making it easier for businesses to set up shop and giving SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) the financial backing they need.' Andrew Griffith, the Conservative shadow business secretary, said: 'Cracking down on late payments will be welcome for small business but will mean nothing for the 218,000 businesses that have closed under Labour. 'The reality for businesses under Labour is a doubling of business rates, a £25 billion jobs tax and a full-on strangulation of employment red tape. 'Only the Conservatives are on the side of the makers and will support businesses across Britain to create jobs and wealth.'
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
ArcelorMittal South Africa says on course to close long steel plants in September
July 31 (Reuters) - ArcelorMittal South Africa (ACLJ.J), opens new tab said on Thursday it is still on track to close its loss-making long steel operations in September, as talks with the government have not provided a solution. The steelmaker also posted a half-year headline loss of 1.014 billion rand ($56.4 million), slightly narrower than a 1.1 billion rand loss reported previously, on persistently low sales volumes and low prices. Its revenue fell 17% to 17 billion rand and sales volumes declined 11% to 1.05 million metric tons due to weak demand from key steel consuming sectors in South Africa. ArcelorMittal South Africa has twice deferred the closure of its long steel plants in Newcastle and near Johannesburg, initially announced in November 2023, to allow talks with the government aimed at saving 3,500 direct jobs. "In the absence of a sustainable solution, the final wind-down of the longs business remains scheduled for 30 September 2025," the company said in a statement. South Africa's trade and industry minister Parks Tau told lawmakers on July 4 that the government was in "firefighting mode" as it tries to avoid the plant closures. The company says its long steel operations are buckling under the pressure of weak local demand, high electricity tariffs, poor freight logistics, competition from local scrap metal recycling mini-mills and imports from China. The long steel plants supply rail, roads and bars to the construction, mining and manufacturing sectors as well as components for the automotive industry. ($1 = 17.9656 rand)
STV News
an hour ago
- STV News
Disability payment should be simplified and made more accessible, review finds
An independent review of the Scottish disability payment has called for the benefit to be simplified and made more accessible. Led by charity leader Edel Harris, the review calls for automatic entitlement to the benefit in some cases. The report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, found while the adult disability payment is more 'compassionate' than the UK benefit it replaced, some people still face barriers and distress when applying. Ms Harris welcomed several changes from the previous assessments carried out by the UK Department for Work and Pensions, but said there is more to be done to deliver a human rights-based approach to the benefit that delivers for disabled people. The chairwoman of the Adult Disability Payment Review made more than 50 recommendations to improve the service. They include embedding a 'trauma-informed, stigma-free' approach to assessments, simplifying the application process, improving communication from staff, and reviewing the eligibility criteria. The report recommends the application process is made easier for those with fluctuating conditions and mental health problems, and calls for welfare advice services to be sustainably funded. Ms Harris said: 'Adult disability payment has been described by many as a step-change – kinder in tone and more dignified in approach. 'But too often, disabled people still find the system difficult to navigate, time-consuming, and anxiety-inducing. 'I heard consistently that if we are to realise social security as an investment in people, it is important to ensure that the eligibility criteria fulfil this goal. 'This review highlights the importance of a system that is not only compassionate, but practical and accessible. 'The recommendations are based on real experiences and a shared commitment to making adult disability payment work better for everyone who needs it.' Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'The Scottish Government's approach to providing social security is a compassionate one, based on dignity, fairness and respect, and I am very encouraged to read the feedback from disabled people that this has been reflected in their positive interactions with Social Security Scotland. 'While the UK Government seeks to make cuts to the vital support disabled people rely on, I want to make clear that we will not cut adult disability payment. 'Instead, we will work to protect and enhance Scotland's social security system, improving on what we have achieved so far. 'I very much appreciate the comprehensive recommendations this report provides for how we can improve adult disability payment.' Ms Somerville said the Scottish Government will 'carefully consider all of the recommendations' in the report and provide its initial response by January next year. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
