Green energy levy change on billd

grbren

hi all,

I wonder if anyone has had an issue with their bills since the green energy levy change?

I’m with Octopus and in April I noticed a difference between the rates showing on my bill pdf statement from March and the website display on my profile. I rang to discuss and it was sensibly pointed out that the green energy levy had been removed recently and would account for the differences.

However, when I looked in detail I realised that my unit rates had gone down slightly but by standing charges had gone up. Effectively, that meant my bills had changed by less than one percent.

I have now spent months trying to get Octopus to understand the issue I’m pointing out and reviewing what happened. To say they have really let themselves down is an understatement. And they are now just ignoring me.

Has anyone else had a similar experience of noticing a problem in the application of the green levy removal? It was impossible to get Octopus to explain exactly how the change was applied but having read around I now understand the rates should have come down and the SCs should have stayed the same. That didn’t happen in my case.

Any advice would be great.

Woodstok2000

What tariff are you on with octopus?

QrizB

Are you on a fixed tariff or a variable one? You've not said and that makes all the difference.

With a fixed tariff, the unit prices will have been reduced to reflect the change in green taxes. See the MSE article here:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2025/11/energy-bill-cut-renewables-eco-martin-lewis/

On a fixed tariff the standing charges won't change for the duration of the fix.

If you are on a variable tariff, you'll have followed the change to the Ofgem cap:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/news/changes-energy-price-cap-between-1-april-and-30-june-2026

In April 2026 the unit rates fell slightly (due to the change in green taxes) but the standing charges rose.

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108921#Comment_82108921

They did increase their standing charge on the variable tariff though (at least in our area), in line with the ofgem price cap.

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108950#Comment_82108950

Exactly - I was just pointing out that Fuse did exactly the same as every other supplier, including Octopus, and this is probably whats happened to OP, assuming they were also kn a variable tariff.

grbren

Hi all.

I was on a fixed tariff.

QrizB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108985#Comment_82108985

Thanks. Do you have the tariff name?

What tariff rates were applied before the change, and what rates after?

Ildhund

@grbren wrote:

I noticed a difference between the rates showing on my bill pdf statement from March and the website display on my profile.

You have been given exhaustive explanations for the various changes that happened on 1 April, also for those on fixed tariffs. I can't see, though, that anyone has mentioned VAT. The rates showing on your PDF bill may well be exclusive of VAT, which is then calculated on the total taxable amount and added at the end. Rates 'quoted' anywhere have to be inclusive of VAT, so the supplier may well use that rule for rates given anywhere on their website. Please check whether adding or deducting 5% (or perhaps multiplying or dividing by 1.05) to the rates you're concerned about makes the difference you've noticed.

This inc/ex VAT business is a very common reason for queries like yours; you can probably take comfort from the fact that next time the price cap changes, it will go away.

grbren

Hi again.

I was on a 12 month fixed rate tariff with Octopus.

The crux of this is that Octopus are not seeming to grasp what I’m saying to them. And when I’ve asked for more details about how the levy change was applied they genuinely don’t seem to know and just keep sending a link to a .gov page for generic description.

I spoke to someone on the phone at the time who could see the differences I was speaking about and they were supposed to come back to me with an explanation but completely dropped the ball. Now it has bounced between several people who have been dire. I’ve literally asked them to review my rates and SCs before and after the levy change (info I’ve also sent to them). Their replied have been a mix of just statements of assurance, links to .gov, or random screen grabs of one of my bills, from a point in time with no explanation, comparison or breakdown, and not for my duel fuel (just electricity). Which further makes me think they are now confusing this with the VAT changes.

It’s a complete pain.

grbren

and yes, I was on the same fixed price and fixed term deal either side of the April 1 changes.

QrizB

Repeating the question, what exactly were your rates before and after April?

Your unit rates should have fallen and your standing charges should have been unchanged.