Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department has taken to help SMEs pay their energy standing charges.

Standing charges are a matter for Ofgem as the independent economic regulator. Ofgem recently conducted a call for input looking at how standing charges are applied to energy bills. Ofgem is analysing the submissions it received and will publish its response in due course. www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/launch-review-standing-charges-energy-bills

The Government recognises that businesses are facing pressure through their energy bills. That is why on 30 March 2024, my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State and I wrote to Ofgem, highlighting the importance of keeping standing charges as low as possible.

https://twitter.com/ClaireCoutinho/status/1774001008953217079