Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Reform standing charges to exempt electric converters and limit prepayment meter burden.
Conclusion
Ofgem should exempt customers from having to pay the gas standing charge if they convert their home to electrical heating and no longer otherwise need a gas service. They should also work with retailers so that the accumulation of standing charges over the summer months by pre- payment meters do not require the full payment of those charges before they can begin to heat their home. Standing charges should never constitute more than 50% of money put onto a pre-payment meter. (Recommendation, Paragraph 70)
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 21 January 2026. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗