Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential financial impact of daily energy standing charges on pensioners and other low-income households who consume little or no energy; and what steps she is taking to help ensure such households benefit from the introduction of low and zero standing charge tariffs.

The Government knows that many people are concerned with the proportion of their bill that is made up of standing charges – that is why the Government made a commitment in its manifesto to reform them.

Earlier this year, the Government confirmed its intention that the costs of the Warm Home Discount should be moved from standing charges to unit rates, better aligning contributions to policy costs with energy use. Also, on 26 June 2026, Ofgem approved the first zero standing charge tariff trial, with other similar trials being launched.