Energy standing charges

[SillyLavish]

Just got an email saying my energy prices are changing. The standing charges are going up even higher, as well as the actual rate of energy. I don't know what the average is but for me this will mean almost £7 a week just for standing charges. It seems so unfair that they can put up prices for NOT using energy. You could be destitute and switch everything off and you're still being charged!

AIBU to think any increase in charges should go on each unit of energy rather than standing charges? Especially as it means a single person is paying proportionally more than a couple or houseshare situation.

Part of the cost of the SC is to subsidise the cost of Ofgem transferring customers from the bankrupt energy supply companies to the SOLR - suppliers of last resort - the 30 companies that Ofgem gave licences to.

@Okunevo No there are no charges once a meter is disconnected.

What is being called for is a social tariff for lower income families. SC of £1 a day would buy some families milk or bread for a week. In my 18thC cottage this morning in the South West it's 16.4° in my hall without any heating since 9:30 last night so where you live is relevant.

@bellabasset If it costs the supplier nothing once capped, is the line just allowed to fall into disrepair until someone moves in and pays for reconnection? In comparison to if I had a prepay meter and didn't use gas or top up for six months over summer, it would still cost £50 to maintain the connection?

Yes. If you have a pre pay meter the standing charge keeps on being added, regardless of whether you use it. This can be an issue for people who only use gas for heating.

@Okunevo We rented a house where the gas had been disconnected and were advised that due to the fact there was a 60' drive the cost was unaffordable. We'd have to pay for the drive to be dug up and new pipework relaid. The house I bought has gas and isn't suitable for heat pump but has a new green boiler suitable for nitrogen. The reduction in gas pays for the boiler

@bellabasset Oh ok, so they do just stop maintaining it then.
SC of £1 a day would buy some families milk or bread for a week.Yes, it would buy porridge made with milk, a banana, and a peanut butter sandwich a day for two of us.

It's so high now. We worked out yesterday that our new costs for electricity alone are going to be £9k a year, and that doesn't include heating or hot water (oil fired boiler). Apart from our food bills (also gone up) this is now our highest outlay.

@AlwaysLatte £9k? Just for lighting, fridge-freezer, washing machine etc? Not £900?

£9k for electricity excluding hot water and heating? Are you running a cannabis farm?