Why is daily standing charge to power going up?

[Whoops1]

Ok, I know gas and electric. Costs more, but why does the standing charge have to go up? Surely the pipes etc are already there?
how come the companies are making bigger than ever profits? Why are they allowed to?
im guessing tories, but just curious to know more. Thanks!

Because costs of paying staff, rent of premises etc are going up.

Because energy companies need to protect and increase profits. They are not charities or social enterprises.

There have been a lot of threads already explaining this,

Energy companies' standing charges http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/4621457-energy-companies-standing-charges

Standing Charge http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/costoff_living/4620249-standing-charge

Because they are greedy bastards taking us all for a ride and have the government in their pockets.