Burnham asks ministers to consider scrapping gas bill standing charges

Andy Burnham said he had asked the Chancellor and Energy Secretary to consider removing standing charges from gas bills, which typically cost households around £100 a year. He gave no details or timetable, while energy bills are forecast to rise again in January.

Standing charges vary by area but average about 30p a day, and campaigners say they disproportionately affect people who use little gas. Shifting the costs into the unit price could leave higher-use households worse off. The proposal came as the Government approved the Jackdaw gas project; Cornwall Insight forecasts the energy price cap will rise 16 per cent to £1,999 a year from January, an increase of £276.