CAP has written a letter responding to Ofgem’s call for input on standing charges.
For people on prepayment meters especially, standing charges can be problematic. Over summer when people may not be using their gas for heating yet, they are still required to pay a daily standing charge. This can mean that when temperatures drop and people want to heat their home, they are faced with a high debt to repay before they can do so.
CAP would like Ofgem to note that the levels of most standing charges are currently too high and can lead to longer periods of self-disconnection. More needs to be done by suppliers, Ofgem and the Government to support low income households afford their energy use.
