Dumbarton and the Vale's MP has welcomed new legislation for an energy price cap that will protect millions of households from unfair price rises.

The Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill will put in place a requirement on the energy regulator, Ofgem, to cap standard, variable and default energy tariffs.

It will be in place this winter and the level of the cap will be reviewed at least every six months.

Martin Docherty-Hughes said: “In West Dunbartonshire residents are overpaying for energy by over £6million a year – with families paying £266 too much on average.

“This has a hugely detrimental impact not just on hard-pressed families, but also the wider economy. And the UK government’s pledge to implement an energy price cap is recognition that the UK’s energy market has been failing consumers.

“SNP MPs have been working on a cross-party to deliver a fairer, more competitive energy market for consumers who have been overcharged for too long.

“Whilst the introduction of a cap on energy prices is a welcome step forward, the SNP at Westminster and Holyrood will continue working to tackle fuel poverty and reduce energy costs in our communities.

The cap will tackle the amount consumers have been overpaying the Big Six energy suppliers, which the Competition and Markets Authority found to be an average of £1.4bn a year.

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: “This Bill, which delivers on our manifesto promise, is a necessary intervention to protect millions of energy customers who have been stuck on poor value deals and hit by unjustified price rises for far too long."

Alongside the new legislation, the UK Government has announced that its flagship £6 billion home energy efficiency scheme will help support more low income and vulnerable consumers.

Both announcements are part of a package of measures designed to deliver the UK Government’s objective of clean, affordable and innovative energy, while tackling fuel poverty.

This includes the rollout of smart meters and initiatives to promote smarter and faster switching which can also help save households money.