Explaining Ofgem's consultation on reducing Standing Charges 

Thank you, Richard 🙏

Thanks Richard

Whilst I don’t really object to standing charges - it does have a cost to deliver the gas or electricity to our homes, I really do object to the publicity and actuality of ‘reducing the cost of energy’ is balanced out by the concurrent over inflating the standing charge by all proportion. Is giving with one hand and taking with the other. Yes costs have universally go up for all of us, BUT the cost of the standing charge has only gone up, not down. The profits to shareholders have remained constant not reduced with higher prices. We are all paying added costs to keep profits inflated. I also object to the price cap - being used as a target by the energy companies not as a cap or ceiling. A friend runs a small business from their home and can only have punitive business rates for their energy and cannot reduce their bills in any way at all, the expensive standing charge sees to that. Thank you for taking this on

Richard its great that you are seeking to reduce standing charges however it is key to address the geographic inequality of standing charges across the UK - the further north we are the more we pay, despite the fact that Scotland produces most energy - renewables, gas and oil. Please please please adress this in your videos and response to Ofgem.

Mobile phone companies don't have a standing charge to cover the cost of sending the phone signal. The Distribution Network Operators (DNO) should pay for the upkeep of power transmission lines etc from the electricity generation companies, who in turn charge the electricity providers. The electricity providers make enough profit from the end users to negate any need for an additional standing charge. The same goes for gas. It's just sheer greed. To say that the DNO or whoever needs to cover the cost of providing power to new homes, then it is the house builders who should foot the bill, not everyone else.

Hi Richard just to say I've sent mine and bcc'd you in I have added some of my own comments but I do have to say I whole heartedly agree with you!! Thank you for everything you do!! Caroline

Reducing standing charges should be ended altogether Richard.

If ofgen reduce the standing charges either in October or January will it apply to a fixed price plan or only to a variable plan.

If ofgem reduce the cost of standing charges will this also apply if you have a fixed deal or does it have to be only on a variable rate.?