A new discussion paper that would see energy standing charges reduced has been published by campaigners. Future Energy Associates have identified how standing charges for every household with electricity and gas connections could be cut by over £152 from £334.08 a year to £183.02 - a reduction of almost half (46%).
The standing charge for electricity would reduce by 32 per cent from £219.42 to £149.17 per year while gas would drop from £114.66 to £33.85 per year (71%).
Future Energy Associates said that to achieve these reductions, Ofgem regulations would need to change and the UK Government would need to provide funding along with measures to protect low income and high usage households, such as those who rely on energy for medical needs.
This could include the introduction of a social tariff, which is backed by well over half the population according to recent polling by Opinium, and could be paid for through contributions from energy industry profits, such as producers, networks and suppliers.
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