The government has failed to get permission to appeal to the Supreme Court over its plan to cut subsidies for solar panels on homes.

The UK's highest court said it could not challenge a High Court ruling that blocked the halving of payments to households generating solar energy.

Critics argued the plan to bring the lower rate in in December was too short notice and lacked proper consultation.

The lower tariff will now apply to panels installed after 1 April.

Campaigners argued that the plans had ...