Social Energy Tariff

Lord Cashman Excerpts

Monday 16th June 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Cashman (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I welcome the steps the Government have taken on this difficult issue, but will they consider the very simple approach of abolishing the standing charge on all public utilities, which is a punitive tax on those who can least afford it?

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for that question. We had a comprehensive review involving Ofgem in December to discuss this issue. We know that too much of the burden of the bill is placed on standing charges. We are committed to lowering the costs of standing charges and have worked constructively with the regulator, Ofgem, on this issue.