HOUSEHOLD electricity bills in Sussex are to fall by about ten per cent as the Government carves up the industry.

The news will see an average reduction of £25 a year.

Ministers also want to shame fat cat gas, electricity and water bosses whose salaries keep spiralling while their companies provide a poor

service.They will be told to publish links between their pay and their firm's performance or say they are refusing to do so. Consumers and shareholders will be encouraged to oppose salary rises for directors if their companies are failing to deliver. Regulators will be able to impose unlimited fines on firms guilty of bad practice or poor performance. The Government today published its Utilities Bill which will split the supply and distribution networks in the electricity industry.Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers said: "This Bill will ensure that customers and businesses get a fair deal from our utilities."It will tackle the rigged

electricity market created when the industry was privatised."The Bill gives ministers "reserve powers" to force companies to cut the higher prices they charge people with pre-pay meters. Regulators will have a new duty to look after the interests of low income consumers, the disabled, pensioners, the chronically sick and people in rural areas. Independent consumer councils will be set up to represent

customers.Water, gas and electricity firms will be forced to improve their environmental record.Hove Labour MP Ivor Caplin said: "Most people in Sussex

would realise that although we have good providers of gas, electricity and water, over the past few years they have had a free rein to operate."This will redress the balance in favour of the consumers."

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