Ed Miliband abandons plan to charge less for electricity in Scotland

Energy minister decides against zonal pricing', backed by Octopus founder but opposed by many other energy firms

Ed Miliband has abandoned plans to charge southern electricity users more than those in Scotland, after senior officials warned it could put off investors and make it more difficult to build renewables.

Sources have told the Guardian that the government has decided not to proceed with the scheme, known as zonal pricing", and that the decision will be announced once it has been signed off by the cabinet.