British government on Tuesday urged energy supply firms to provide clearer and easier rates for consumers, an effort to address the long-standing concerns over soaring gas and electricity prices.

The British Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced proposals to ensure all households were on the best gas and electricity deals as soon as possible.

"I am determined to ensure all consumers get a better deal on their energy bill and get the cheapest tariff they can," said Energy Secretary Edward Davey.

According to the government's plan, energy suppliers are limited to four tariffs per fuel type, and customers moved off poor-value "dead tariffs", aiming to lace customers on the cheapest available price by summer 2014 at the latest.

"Households across the country are facing a tough time with their energy bills," DECC said in a statement. "The government cannot control volatile world energy prices, but it is taking action to help people get their bills down," it added.

"Bill payers will no longer face the impossible choice between hundreds of tariffs; each customer will have a maximum of four tariffs for gas or electricity per supplier to consider," said Davey.

The proposals include forcing energy firms to offer just four core tariffs for both gas and electricity with one standard variable rate tariff type, and just a single price for each of the four tariff types.

Energy suppliers are asked to set one standard variable rate tariff, and one fixed term fixed price tariff, which account for 85 percent of all customers.

It also allowed suppliers freedom to offer the remaining two tariff types as they wish, to preserve customers' choices, such as green tariffs.

The new measures will also make it easier and clearer for consumers to shop around for the best market-wide deal. The proposals, which are expected to be included in the forthcoming energy bill, have been put out for consultation until January.

Britain's six largest energy suppliers are EDF Energy, Centrica, SSE, Scottish Power, E.ON and RWE npower, who currently provide varying numbers of tariffs. Endi

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