If they didn’t a Labour Government would legislate to make it happen, he promised in a policy speech outlining key elements of his current political thinking.
In a wide-ranging speech he complained that “the way our energy market is letting British consumers down.
“We’ve got six main energy companies in Britain. Competition should be good for consumers.
“But the way that the current market works is disadvantaging them. The tariffs are so complicated at the moment that 80% of people are overpaying for their gas and electricity”.
The former energy and climate change secretary added: “Offering different products is a good thing. But if those products end up taking advantage of older people – that is wrong.
“So I’ll give the energy companies a simple rule. By all means put different products out there and for different kinds of consumers. But we will ensure you give pensioners over seventy-five the lowest tariff on offer”.
He threatened: “You make it happen, or we’ll put it into law”.