Tory decision to drop social energy tariff ‘betrays most vulnerable’

Calls for a social energy tariff have been renewed after the government appeared to backtrack on plans it announced in the spring budget. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

The UK government has been accused of betraying the most vulnerable in society by seemingly abandoning support for a social tariff that would help households pay for their gas and electricity.

Fuel poverty campaigners were left angry after ministers failed to include plans for a social tariff from next spring in energy market reforms, despite commitments in two budget statements.