NEW measures to save energy in Britain have been scuppered by government delays, a Bolton MEP claims.

Chris Davies, the Liberal Democrat MEP for the North-west, says details of the scheme - which plans to give every building an efficiency rating - have yet to be released by Whitehall officials.

The European Union law, which aims to give the public more information about energy use in homes and commercial buildings, was due to come into force this week.

Officials say it will alert people to how much gas and electricity is being wasted.

But Mr Davies said: "The government signed up to these new measures three years ago but officials have dragged their feet ever since."

Improvements to the energy efficiency of buildings could reduce gas and electricity use while cutting Britain's total carbon dioxide emissions by more than 20 per cent, says the MEP.

But in order for the Government to ensure the necessary training of energy inspectors, details of how Britain would implement the law should have been announced last March, he claims.

Yet he says ministers have not yet even issued general guidelines.

He said the current threat to gas supplies as a result of the dispute between Russia and the Ukraine highlighted the urgent need to conserve energy.