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Standing charge for electricity and gas

Costs included in the standing charge and average annual standing charge for electricity and gas.

A standing charge is one of the costs that is included in your electricity and gas bill. It is also included in the energy price cap.

Your energy supplier will charge you a standing charge cost each day, even if you do not use any energy on that day. The amount you pay will depend on your supplier, how you pay for your energy and where you live within England, Scotland or Wales. Get energy price cap standing charges and unit rates by region.

Costs included in the standing charge

The standing charge is a cost set by your supplier. It covers the costs to:

  • move electricity or gas through cables and pipes to homes and businesses
  • pay towards supplier business costs, for example call centres
  • pay towards some government social and environmental schemes such as Warm Home Discount

Average annual electricity standing charge 1 October to 31 December 2025, by payment type, Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)

Payment type  Standing charge July to September 2025 Standing charge October to December 2025
Direct Debit £188 £196
Prepayment meter £188 £196
Standard credit £216 £226
Economy 7 (Direct Debit) £187 £196

Average annual gas standing charge 1 October to 31 December 2025, by payment type, Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)

Payment type Standing charge July to September 2025 Standing charge October to December 2025 
Direct Debit £109 £124
Prepayment meter £109 £124
Standard credit £138 £152

Figures include VAT (5%).