Minister vows 'best deal' on energy bills

Energy and Climate Change Minister John Hayes has confirmed the government will legislate to help consumers "get the best deal" on their gas and electricity bills.

Mr Hayes made a Commons statement on the matter on 18 October 2012 in response to an urgent question from Labour.

"The Energy Bill will be used as a vehicle to get customers the lowest tariffs," he declared.

The day before, Prime Minister David Cameron announced that legislation would be brought before Parliament to make gas and electricity suppliers offer customers their lowest tariffs.

But Mr Hayes refused to confirm the PM's pledge that companies would be forced to offer their lowest tariffs.

He said the proposed legislation would first be discussed with the industry and debated by MPs.

Shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint, who tabled the urgent question, claimed the government's policy was in "chaos".