Tories 2017

THE CONSERVATIVE AND UNIONIST PARTY MANIFESTO 2017
exaggerated and fraudulent whiplash claims. We will review rail ticketing, removing
complexity and perverse pricing, and introduce a passenger ombudsman to stand up
for the interests of rail users suffering a poor deal. We will work with train companies
and their employees to agree minimum service levels during periods of industrial
dispute – and if we cannot find a voluntary agreement, we will legislate to make this
mandatory.
Fair energy markets
We will pay immediate attention to the retail energy market. Customers trust established
brands and mistakenly assume their loyalty is rewarded. Energy suppliers have long
operated a two-tier market, where those constantly checking for the best deal can do well
but others are punished for inactivity with higher prices. Those hit worst are households
with lower incomes, people with lower qualifications, people who rent their home and
the elderly. A Conservative government will act in their interests.
First, we will ensure that smart meters will be offered to every household and business by
the end of 2020, giving people control over their energy bills that they have not had before.
We will go further. We will introduce a safeguard tariff cap that will extend the price protection
currently in place for some vulnerable customers to more customers on the poorest value
tariffs. We will maintain the competitive element of the retail energy market by supporting
initiatives to make the switching process easier and more reliable, but the safeguard tariff cap
will protect customers who do not switch against abusive price increases.
Alongside giving individuals greater control over their energy bills and protecting
customers from unfair bills, we will help them to save energy. An energy efficient home
is a more affordable and healthy home. We will improve the energy efficiency of existing
homes, especially for the least well off, by committing to upgrading all fuel poor homes
to EPC Band C by 2030. We will also review requirements on new homes.
Fair debt
For some people, the cost of living can become too great. Problem debt can be hard to
escape and can compound family breakdown, worklessness, stress and mental health
issues. We will adopt a “Breathing Space” scheme, with the right safeguards to prevent
abuse, so that someone in serious problem debt may apply for legal protection from
further interest, charges and enforcement action for a period of up to six weeks. Where
appropriate, they will be offered a statutory repayment plan to help them pay back
their debts in a manageable way. This will give eligible debtors time to seek advice and
assistance to apply for a sustainable solution to their debt.
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