Labour condemns 'waste of money' energy scheme

Capacity market scheme to keep power stations on standby for peak demand could add 38 a year to each household bill

The government has been accused of burying bad news during an election period after publishing a report (pdf) saying an emergency scheme to keep the lights on could add 38 a year to each household bill.

The cash is going towards the cost of a "capacity market" scheme, under which energy companies have been paid to keep their power stations on standby for times of peak demand.