Standing charges are a regressive tax on low use energy users and they also penalise people on prepayment meters. Standing charges are said to be there to cover the cost of the gas and electricity infrastructure but if we are seeking to contain the need to build more infrastructure, then rather than penalising the poor and low users it is the heavy users that should pay more. This can be achieved by spreading the cost of the standing charges across the totality of users and thus reducing the cost significantly to low users. Not only does this help the poorest, it also avoids people on prepayment meters suddenly finding that all their credit has been taken to cover standing charges. With the increase in April all users will be charged around £266 pounds for the combined gas and electricity standing charge. This is grossly unfair. With climate change we should also be encouraging people to reduce usage. Spreading the standing charges so that the heaviest users pay the most is the fairest way to go. Moreover it means potentially a saving for the lowest users.

please support this petition to ensure , in these times of climate change and high fuel costs that there is no upfront charge and that the highest users contribute the most.