The proposals, announced as part of the King’s Speech, would allow families to benefit from cheaper energy when the UK is generating large amounts of renewable electricity, such as during sunny or windy weather.

Ministers say the plans could help households save money while reducing Britain’s dependence on expensive fossil fuels.

Under the new Energy Independence Bill, consumers may be encouraged to use electricity during periods when renewable power generation is high and demand is lower.

That could mean cheaper electricity for charging electric cars, running washing machines or using appliances during particularly sunny or windy periods when excess energy is flooding the grid.

At the moment, when Britain generates too much renewable electricity, grid operators sometimes have to pay energy companies to stop producing power because the grid cannot use it all.

Those costs are ultimately added to consumer bills.

The Government says its new plans are designed to stop clean energy being wasted and instead pass some of the benefits directly to households through discounted prices.

Officials believe the changes could become increasingly important as Britain expands offshore wind farms, solar power and other renewable energy sources.

The £90 energy bill change explained

The legislation also makes permanent plans to move older renewable energy subsidies away from household bills and into general taxation.

Ministers claim this could save consumers an average of around £90 on energy bills over time.

Alongside this, landlords may face tougher requirements to improve the energy efficiency of homes, while a new “Warm Homes Agency” could oversee a £15billion programme of home upgrades and electrification.

The Government says support for vulnerable and low-income households will also form part of the wider reforms.

Faster wind farms, hydrogen and nuclear power

The Energy Independence Bill is also expected to speed up the rollout of major energy infrastructure projects, including offshore wind, hydrogen power and upgrades to the national grid.

A separate Nuclear Regulation Bill will aim to fast-track new nuclear power stations as ministers push what they describe as a new “golden age” for nuclear energy.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the reforms were necessary after repeated global energy shocks pushed up bills.

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He said the Government’s clean power plans were the “only way to bring down bills for good and take back control of our energy”.

While full details of how discounted energy pricing would work have not yet been confirmed, the proposals suggest households could eventually benefit from flexible pricing systems linked to renewable energy availability.

That could reward consumers for shifting energy use to greener, lower-demand periods – something experts say may become increasingly common in the future.

Would you save your washing to run your machine at certain times of day? Tell us in the comments below.

The police force was previously appealing for the public’s help to find Karl Barratt, 39, from Oxford.

The appeal, which was launched on Wednesday, May 13, was in connection with a recall to prison.  

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Barratt was described by police as a white man of slim build with short, fair blond hair.

Police said he was known to frequent Redbridge Hollow, Abingdon Road, Kennington and Warwickshire.

At the time of the appeal, investigating officer, PC Jon Kelly of the Integrated Offender Management Department, said “We are appealing for the public’s help in tracing Karl Barratt.

“Barratt is currently wanted on recall to prison and we are very keen to identify his whereabouts to prevent further offending and safeguard the local community.”

Leon, founded in London in 2004, built its reputation on a menu of “naturally fast food”, offering salads, wraps, hot boxes and breakfast dishes marketed as a fresher, healthier alternative to traditional fast food.

The chain expanded rapidly in city centres, railway stations and transport hubs, but has struggled in recent years with rising costs and changing trading conditions.

Leon has now revealed that 23 company‑owned restaurants have ceased trading during a major restructuring process, while its franchised outlets are understood to be unaffected.

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The company formerly had an Oxford branch on Cornmarket Street which opened in 2018, but this closed two years ago.

Leon went into administration in December after coming under mounting financial pressure, with insolvency specialists from BTG Advisory and Quantuma brought in to examine options for the business.

Co‑founder John Vincent has since injected £2.5 million of his own money into the company as part of a rescue package that is expected to allow Leon to exit administration.

Following the shake‑up, the group will continue to trade with 43 sites across the country, made up of 20 company‑run restaurants and 23 franchised locations.

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A proposed Company Voluntary Arrangement, which sets out how Leon plans to deal with its creditors, is due to go before a vote on May 27.

Mr Vincent originally sold Leon to supermarket giant Asda in 2021 but bought the business back in October 2025 as financial problems deepened.

He said management had been concentrating on rebuilding the brand since the buy‑back and acknowledged that widespread closures were inevitable if the chain was to survive.

Staff who were unable to move to other Leon branches were offered the chance to apply for positions at Pret A Manger, although the business has not disclosed how many jobs have been lost.

Leon has also brought back several senior figures from its earlier growth phase to help steer the turnaround, including Mr Chris Burford as chief financial officer and Nick Scovell as operations director.

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The company plans to revamp its menu over the coming year, promising refreshed versions of existing dishes and the return of popular favourites in a bid to strengthen its position in the crowded fast‑food market.

Mr Vincent admitted the restructuring process had been bruising but argued it was essential to safeguard Leon’s future.

He said the chain can now move out of administration and continue “its rejuvenation as a smaller but more sustainable company”.

“There is a lot of affection for Leon, and I am committed to working on behalf of our guests, teams and suppliers to make the company what people want it to be,” he said.