British Gas Standing Charges

Micky84

Hi,

I'm trying to find out the Standing Charges which British Gas has charged consumers over the last 20 years.

I'm drawing a blank as to where to find this information.  I wondered if anyone on the Forum had any ideas?

Thanks.

Neil_Jones

Micky84 said:

Hi,

I'm trying to find out the Standing Charges which British Gas has charged consumers over the last 20 years.

I'm drawing a blank as to where to find this information.  I wondered if anyone on the Forum had any ideas?

Thanks.

Depends on the tariffs they had at the time and what the regional variations were (that and various "special"/exclusive tariffs found on the comparison sites).  You can expect an average of about 20-35p a day.

Cardew

For a long period they had no standing charges but two tier pricing - X pence for the first Y kWh and Z pence per kWh for the remaining consumption. So if you used zero gas in a summer quarter you paid nothing.

Micky84

Thanks for the replies.  I haven't used any gas for many years and I've been told that I should approach British Gas about not having to pay a Standing Charge because of long-term non-usage.  So I was trying to gather some facts to support my evidence before I approach them.

greenguppie

Micky84 said:

Thanks for the replies.  I haven't used any gas for many years and I've been told that I should approach British Gas about not having to pay a Standing Charge because of long-term non-usage.  So I was trying to gather some facts to support my evidence before I approach them.

I wondered why you were seeking this information. It was such a broad question you asked and requested data from the last 20 years.

I'm not sure about any other limitations, but surely the Limitation Act 1980 would apply (either way)

If you have paid, or now been billed, you will have the details you seek already? If British Gas were your supplier, I'm sure they could advise you of the relevant costs applicable under the Limitation Act 1980.

If you have not used any gas for many years (presumably at least the last 20), and have no plans to start doing so, why not have the meter removed? Once removed you will no longer be on supply.

Grizzlebeard

Info from old bills for gas supply in South East England region-

From pre 1999 to April 2000 British Gas standing charge was 13.39p /day.
From April 2000 until July 2012 (when I changed supplier) BG had a two tier price structure and zero standing charge.
No idea of changes since then.

It was simple in those pre-de-regulation days as there was only one Standard Tariff and not a range of tariff options available from each company.

I think Standing Charges were reintroduced when rules changed about 2-tier pricing. Don't know when this happened.

Wibby.

jbuchanangb

I have gleaned the following from my gas spreadsheet covering the last 38 years. There is a line on the spreadsheet which calculates the quarterly standing charges as the daily rate *91.25 or as appropriate during the so-called zero standing charge period. These are the rates I have been paying but I have changed supplier many times since deregulation.

Gas quarterly standing charges (exc. VAT):

1984 to 1986 £9.90

1986 to 1990 £8.70

1990 to 1993 £9.40

1993 to 1995 £9.20

1995 to 1998 £8.25

1998 to 2000 £6.30

2000 to 2001 £4.50

2001 to 2003 £6.75

2003 to 2005 £10.30

2005 to 2006 £8.30

2006 to 2007 £9.50

2007 to 2008 £10.40

A 2-tier tariff with so-called zero S/C was introduced. S/C is now the difference between the unit rate for the first units and the later units.

2008 to 2009 £9.35

2009 to 2010 £8.70

At this point the 2-tier tariff was discontinued.

2010 £21.75

2011 £23.00

2012 £19.05

2013 to 2014 £24.90

2014 £11.60

2015 £12.50

2015 £18.55

2016 to 2017 £15.90

2017 to 2018 £16.45

2018 to 2019 £19.15

2019 to 2020 £17.77

2020 to 2021 £15.24

2021 £14.50

The associated chart shows how thigs went, and also shows how the unit prices varied over the period.

Gerry1

Have you tried making a Subject Access Request?  Their records may not go that far back, but there's nothing to lose.  In the meantime, switch to British Gas 'Zero Fixed October 2022' which has no standing charge.

Micky84

Thanks to you all for taking the time out to reply and the helpful advice.  I'm very grateful, jbuchanangb, for all that data.  I'll get in touch with British Gas about my current situation.  Best regards.