NANCAT: ‘suppliers will have to reduce the kWh cost, but they've managed to increase the standing charge which isn't linked to the wholesale price of energy, so they have managed a backdoor increase that will be permanent. I would like to know the justification for the excessive increase in standing charges. They say it is for infrastructure costs, but how did they double overnight?’
Totally agree! I was so enraged by the increase in standing charge that I emailed Ofgem. As a consumer I have a right to know what my £200+ per year standing charge is being used for. The infrastructure for households receiving energy does not suddenly cost more so why is there a need to increase that cost? I received (an automated) response to the effect that the increase is to cover the cost of the providers that have gone out of business - those same providers that were offering energy at ridiculously low rates that were clearly unsustainable and were supposed to have been regulated by Ofgem!!! Money making businesses men saw the largely unregulated UK energy industry as a cash cow; they set up as energy providers that were not viable; made millions; went bust and we - the energy consumers - are left picking up the bill. This is a failure of Ofgem’s due diligence in their regulatory process and we are all suffering as a result. I am furious by the way we have been conned by the current right wing, economic policies - once again! Energy companies should be NATIONALISED - not left at the mercy of unscrupulous money makers. People need to know this, but all we hear in the mainstream media is that it’s due to the rise in energy prices and is a global crisis. It is not! The rise in standing charge is a direct consequence of the energy ‘free market’ in the UK! Perhaps, in this free market, where the consumer is king, I’ll say ‘do you know what, I’ve decided not to ‘purchase’ the standing charge so won’t be paying for it’ 
