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 January to 31 March 2026, by payment type, Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)
Average annual gas standing charge 1 January to 31 March 2026, by payment type, Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)
Figures include VAT (5%).
Standing charge review
We are reviewing standing charges that are set by your energy supplier. Read the update on our standing charges review.