Held to ransom

MattMattMattUK

weneedawrittenconstitution said:

You’re all missing the point. I don’t get a choice in this. I have to pay for something even though I’m not using it!!! 

Yes you do get a choice in this, if you are not using the energy network then have your home disconnected from it, you will then not have to pay any standing charges. 

maisie_cat

weneedawrittenconstitution said:

You’re all missing the point. I don’t get a choice in this. I have to pay for something even though I’m not using it!!! So will I have to pay for the upkeep of the national road network even though I don’t have a car? 

You do have a choice, if you are not using electrcity disconnect from the grid. Your are paying for it being available to you. You do indirectly pay for the road network in fares and delivery costs.
As with all distress expenditure most households don't have a choice.

[Deleted User]

The argument about opting in and out for services has raged on for years. Why should childless couples pay for the education of other people’s children; why should someone pay for defence when they are a pacifist; why should people contribute towards the NHS when they have private healthcare…. The truth is that we live in a democracy. There may well be a No Standing Charge party in the future. If the party can secure a majority then it has the democratic right to implement its policies. 

If I may correct the impression that standing charges are in some way helping out failed suppliers. The truth is that SoLRs are allowed to recover some of the costs of providing energy to the customers of failed suppliers. SoLRs will not have hedged for this customer base so they are providing each kWh at a loss. SoLRs will also seek to recover most of the credit balance protection offered by Ofgem to those customers affected. The present system is far from perfect but it does keep the lights on.

jbuchanangb

To those who ask "when have charges ever gone down" I offer the following chart of 39 years worth of electricity prices. It looks as though 2013-14 were bad years for standing charges. The new SVR from this April comes out at £37 per quarter, so it is a big jump.

Thrugelmir

There's been considerable storm damage to infrastructure in recent years. By consuming energy we have contributed to climate change. We are all now paying the cost for an egotistic culture throughout society.