Home appliances such as washing machines, TVs and fridges will be cheaper to own under a new legal right for repairs, the government claims.

Manufacturers will now have to make spares available to consumers, with the aim of extending the lifespan of products by up to 10 years.

Higher energy standards this year could also knock an average of £75 per year off energy bills, the government said.

According to the BBC, the right to repair rules are designed to tackle "built-in obsolescence" where manufacturers deliberately build appliances to break down after a certain period to encourage consumers to buy new ones.

Manufacturers will now be legally obliged to make spare parts available to consumers so appliances can be fixed.

Changes to energy efficiency standards this year will also mean savings for consumers and cut eight megatonnes of carbon emissions in 2021 by reducing how power-hungry goods are, the government said.

Since March, there have also been changes to appliance energy efficiency labelling.

John Gillman, of Gloucester-based appliance specialists Gillman's, said: "The right to repair rules are well overdue and not only is it essential parts are manufactured for a minimum of 10 years they must be efficiently obtainable as we have many spare part orders which take weeks and months to obtain which frustrates the consumer and can result in the customers still purchasing a new appliance to avoid the inconvenience of being without the appliance.

"The problem also comes from consumer culture which has driven the cost of appliances down which has obviously had an effect on quality. 'They don't make them like they used to' is a quote commonly used in society but on average a basic washing machine is £200-£250 cheaper today than 20 years ago.

"Until manufacturers are prepared, or government rules insist quality is increased, ensuring longevity of appliances, I don't believe much impact will be made and the right to repair rules don't go far enough but appreciate it's a start in the right direction."

Mr Gillman added: "We have stability at the heart of our values and refurbish waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) which is the very best form of recycling. We are permitted to carry out the repair or refurbishment of waste electrical and electronic equipment under waste exemption T11 regulations which I urge all consumers purchasing reconditioned and refurbished appliances check the establishment they are purchasing from are permitted to do so."