Huhne may intervene over hidden energy price hikes

Описание

<p> Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has issued a stark warning to gas and electricity providers that he would step in unless they stopped imposing outrageous hidden price hikes on customers. </p><p> Mr Huhne stressed the Coalition's determination to protect consumers as the Liberal Democrat leadership battled to quell activists' discontent over the power-sharing deal with the Tories at the party's conference in Liverpool. </p><p> Party leader Nick Clegg pleaded with rank-and-file members to stick with him on Tuesday after he suffered a major rebellion over key coalition school reforms just hours before his keynote speech. </p><p> But one angry MP accused him of failing to offer the necessary reassurance to supporters amid slumping poll ratings and said he missed his chance by a mile to speak to the concerns of Lib Dem voters across the country. </p><p> Mike Hancock renewed his criticism after sending an open letter to Mr Clegg warning against the party being taken over by a dictatorship of ministers and abandoning its commitment to the welfare state. </p><p> The Deputy Prime Minister will leave the simmering dissent behind him as he cuts short his attendance to fly to the US to represent Britain at high-level talks at the United Nations in New York and then in Washington. </p><p> Taking centre stage in his place will be deputy leader Simon Hughes, who last night called for robust Lib Dem opposition to moves - championed by Prime Minister David Cameron - to renew the UK's Trident nuclear deterrent. </p>