P209 CEEFAX 2 209 Fri 21 Jan 22:14/12 GOVERNMENT BID TO CUT UTILITIES CHARGES The Government has revealed plans for tough new laws for utilities, vowing customer bills will drop by around 10%. Trade Secretary Stephen Byers said the Utilities Bill aims to change the way electricity is traded. The move follows complaints from buyers that generators were able to manipulate the pool to keep wholesale prices artificially high. It will also introduce a transparent link between customer services provided by all utilities and directors pay. 1/2 Headlines 200 Commodities 246 Savings 250 Front page 100 Results TV/Radio Annuities Main MenuP209 CEEFAX 2 209 Fri 21 Jan 22:06/16 EQUITABLE LIFE LOSES PENSIONS APPEAL Equitable Life has lost a case in the Court of Appeal brought by its own pension annuity holders. The case involves the pensions of 90,000 people bought from Equitable. The customers claim the firm reneged on the guaranteed level of pension payout they had been led to expect when buying the pensions. The High Court had previously ruled the company was entitled to do this but today's decision means the case now goes before the House of Lords. 2/2 Headlines 200 Commodities 246 Savings 250 Front page 100 Results TV/Radio Annuities Main Menu