Hated standing charges paid even if you use zero gas could be axed under new plans, says Burnham

2 comments 2 Next HOUSEHOLDS could stop paying gas charges that rack up even when the heating is off, Andy Burnham has revealed. The Prime Minister told MPs he wants to look at scrapping gas standing charges — the daily fee customers pay on top of the gas they actually use. Prime Minister Andy Burnham Leaving For PMQs Credit: Martyn Wheatley / Parsons Media Gas bills usually have a charge for the gas people use and a daily standing charge Credit: Alamy Advertisement Mr Burnham has asked the Chancellor and Energy Secretary to examine whether the charge can be removed. But he has yet to confirm whether it will be scrapped or when any change could take effect. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. The announcement came during a clash with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch at Prime Minister’s Questions over Labour’s approval of the Jackdaw gas field. Mrs Badenoch welcomed the move but added: “Rather than fighting the lefty activists that tried to block it, Labour appointed one of them as Energy Secretary. READ MORE ON POLITICS SICK BRITAIN UK welfare bill to hit £180bn as Burnham told taxpayers aren't 'cash machines' FARM PLEA Clarkson's pal urges PM to axe family farm tax as he blasts 'clueless' Whitehall “So many jobs lost. So much time and money wasted. “Britain cannot be a serious player on the world stage if the government dithers for two and a half years over approving a single license.” Mr Burnham insisted there was a delay because the previous Tory government “didn’t do the process properly”. He added: “The resources that come in now from this decision will allow us to invest in renewables, bring forward clean energy, and in this Parliament , substantially de-link gas and electricity prices, so that we can bring bills down. Advertisement Most read in The Sun GUNNED DOWN Woman ‘kills ex-husband & girlfriend after refusing to accept relationship’ NOT SO FAST Awkward moment Trump refuses to say he'll endorse JD Vance in 2028 SEE THE LIGHT Can you spot Jesus on the pavement? Mysterious face emerges as visitors pray 'MURDER' PROBE Care worker found stabbed in crashed car after trying to drive to hospital “And it will also allow us t do more to help people with bills. “I can tell the House today that I have asked the Chancellor and the Energy Secretary to look at whether we can remove standing charges from gas bills and to report back to this House at the earliest opportunity.” Gas bills usually have a charge for the gas people use and a daily standing charge. Households pay that daily fee even if they use no gas at all as it helps cover the fixed costs of supplying their home. The Government says Jackdaw, which was given the green light earlier this morning , could start supplying gas to British homes and businesses as early as the end of this month. Advertisement The Chancellor also announced an energy wealth fund, using North Sea oil and gas tax revenues to invest in renewable and low-carbon energy projects. What are standing charges? By Adele Cooke A STANDING charge is a fixed daily fee that is added to UK gas and electricity bills. You need to pay it regardless of how much energy you use. It helps to fund costs such as infrastructure, network maintenance and the cost of moving customers to a new provider when a supplier goes bust. The energy price cap is set by industry regulator Ofgem and limits how much suppliers can charge you for every unit of gas and electricity you use. From October 1 to December 31 it is set at £1,723 per year. For customers who pay by direct debit the average electricity standing charge is 54.83p a day. Meanwhile, for gas it is 29.68p a day. Standing charges vary depending on where you live. They are calculated based on: How many people live in your region How much energy is used in your region on average The amount of energy the supplier needs to buy The cost of building and improving the energy network They also vary based on if you pay your bills when you receive them, by direct debit or prepayment meter. 2 comments 2