Standing charges explained
A standing charge is the fixed daily amount you pay to be connected to gas and electricity, whatever you use. Under Ofgem’s price cap from 1 October to 31 December 2026 it averages 54.83p a day for electricity and 29.68p for gas, about £308 a year, ranging from £266 in London to £356 in Merseyside and Northern Wales.
By the billsqueeze team · Facts checked: 31 October 2026 · Updated:
- Average standing charges: 54.83p a day for electricity, 29.68p for gas (Ofgem, Oct–Dec 2026).
- That’s about £308 a year before you use any energy.
- Lowest: London, £266 a year. Highest: Merseyside and Northern Wales, £356.
- For low-use homes the standing charge can be over 40% of the bill.
What a standing charge is
A standing charge is a fixed daily amount you pay to be connected to the energy network, whether you use any energy or not. It covers the cost of the local networks, keeping supply running and some government schemes. You pay it on top of the unit rate, the price for each kWh you use.
Standing charges in every region
Sorted from lowest to highest yearly cost for gas and electricity together.
| Region | Electricity a day | Gas a day | Both, a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 42.92p | 30.20p | £266 |
| North Western England | 45.68p | 29.81p | £275 |
| Southern England | 47.81p | 29.16p | £280 |
| East Midlands | 51.45p | 29.41p | £295 |
| Eastern England | 51.84p | 29.34p | £296 |
| South Eastern England | 52.32p | 29.26p | £297 |
| South Western England | 55.58p | 29.31p | £309 |
| Northern Scotland | 55.14p | 29.87p | £310 |
| Southern Wales | 55.41p | 29.96p | £311 |
| West Midlands | 57.23p | 29.71p | £317 |
| Southern Scotland | 61.41p | 29.89p | £333 |
| North Eastern England | 61.58p | 29.79p | £333 |
| Yorkshire | 61.67p | 29.77p | £333 |
| Merseyside and Northern Wales | 67.66p | 30.08p | £356 |
| Great Britain average | 54.83p | 29.68p | £308 |
Why they matter more if you use little energy
For a small flat using 1,000 kWh of electricity a year and no gas, the Great Britain average cap works out at about £263 for the energy used and £200 in standing charges: over 40% of the bill is the standing charge.
Some suppliers offer tariffs with a lower standing charge and higher unit rates, which can suit homes that use little energy. Compare the total for your own yearly use, not just the daily charge.
Can I avoid the standing charge?
Not on a standard variable tariff: it’s part of the price cap. If you have no gas supply, you pay only the electricity standing charge. Prepayment customers have a slightly lower cap overall.
See the price cap where you live
Unit rates, standing charges and a typical bill for all 14 regions, with a calculator.
Common questions
What is a standing charge?
A fixed daily charge for being connected to the energy network, paid whether or not you use any energy.
How much is the standing charge?
Under the price cap from 1 October to 31 December 2026, an average of 54.83p a day for electricity and 29.68p a day for gas, paying by Direct Debit.
Why is my standing charge higher than in other areas?
Standing charges are set by region and reflect local network costs. Merseyside and Northern Wales has the highest electricity standing charge, 67.66p a day; London the lowest, 42.92p.
Can I get a tariff without a standing charge?
Some suppliers offer tariffs with lower standing charges and higher unit rates. They can suit low-use homes; compare the total for your yearly use.