Government to decide on 'postcode pricing' plan for electricity bills by summer By Victoria Seabrook, climate reporter The government will decide by the summer on controversial proposals to charge some households more for their electricity than others, Sky News understands. The energy secretary Ed Miliband has been mulling over plans for "zonal pricing", which would see different regions of the country pay different rates, based on supply and demand levels in the local area. The idea is to attract industry to build in low-cost areas, and incentivise new electricity generation in regions where people need it most. Supporters say zonal pricing could lower everyone's bills by making the system more efficient - but some would fall more than others. Critics warn the plans would create a postcode lottery for bills and put investors off certain areas, risking jobs. It is not clear how the changes would be passed on to household bills, but it could see people in the south of England pay much more than those in parts of Scotland - though not, the government hopes, more than now. Mr Miliband is expected to make his recommendation to fellow government ministers in the coming weeks, before the government decides either way by the middle of this year.