Business Secretary Vince Cable has accused high street banks of "ripping off" their customers after it emerged that some are charging up to 167% interest on unauthorised overdrafts.

Mr Cable also said customers are losing out because of a lack of competition in a marketplace dominated by a small number of big banks.

He was speaking after a survey for the BBC's Panorama programme revealed the average interest charged on unauthorised overdrafts was as much as 167%.

The research also found banks were demanding an average 32% interest on authorised overdrafts, despite advertised rates of around 19%.

Mr Cable said: "When we talk about restructuring the banks what's going to come out of this is a more competitive system where the customers are not ripped off.

"One of the negative side effects of this crisis is that our banking system that was already very concentrated is now even more concentrated so there's less competition, less choice and bigger temptation for banks to earn margins at the expense of their customers."

Source: Press Association

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