Business
Households to be offered energy bill changes, but unlikely to lead to savings
Kevin PeacheyCost of living correspondent
Getty ImagesEvery household will be offered a low standing charge deal by the end of January, under new plans, but the cost of overall energy bills is unlikely to fall.
Regulator Ofgem has announced all suppliers in England, Scotland and Wales will offer at least one tariff in which standing charges are lower but customers then pay more for each unit of energy used.
The move comes after those who use relatively little gas and electricity argued they have no control over the fixed daily charges, which cover the cost of connecting to a gas and electricity supply.
However, consumer champion Martin Lewis said the policy was “disappointing” and charities warned it did not address the issue of high bills.
Standing charges pay for the cost of transporting energy to people’s homes, security of the supply, investment in the energy network and some bill support schemes.
From 1 October, the charges will typically cost 53.68p a day for electricity and 34.03p a day for gas for those paying by direct debit.
However, these fees vary depending on where billpayers live. In North Wales and Merseyside, the cost will be nearly 70p a day for electricity, for example.
Ofgem has been considering how to change the bill payments system after widespread concern and backlash from households.
When bills were at a peak in the winter of 2022, many people slashed their energy use but still had to pay the standing charge element of the bill, regardless of how much gas or electricity was used.
While Ofgem’s plans will enable customers to take up a deal where standing charges are lower, the savings are likely to be limited due to such tariffs having higher rates for energy usage.
“Plans to offer a lower standing charge may provide more choice to consumers, but won’t bring down people’s bills,” said Gillian Cooper, director of energy at Citizens Advice.
Ofgem said costs covered by standing charges must be paid somehow, and so has said it could only move them to another part of the bill.
The announcement of the plans comes as energy bills for millions of people on tariffs which vary with Ofgem’s price cap are rising by 2% in October.
Rising standing charges are part of that, with the fees typically rising by 4% for electricity and 14% for gas.
‘More choice’
“We have carefully considered how we can offer more choice on how they pay these fixed costs, however we have taken care to ensure we don’t make some customers worse off,” said Tim Jarvis, from Ofgem.
The regulator’s latest proposals are less radical than previously considered, and it would also require tariffs to have a minimum usage level.
Under its plans, now subject to consultation:
- All suppliers in England, Scotland and Wales must offer a low standing charge tariff to customers. Some providers already offer this as an option, but it would be universal
- All billpayers will have the choice to move to such a tariff by the end of January
- The new tariffs will be available to customers irrespective of how they pay their bill, such as by direct debit or quarterly on demand
“The costs covered by the standing charge ultimately must be paid. We cannot remove these charges, we can only move costs around,” added Mr Jarvis.
“These changes would give households the choice they have asked for, but it’s important that everyone carefully considers what’s right for them as these tariffs are unlikely to reduce bills on their own.”
People who cut their energy use should see a bigger reduction in bills than would be the case without these changes, he said.
Suppliers will be able to decide whether to also offer zero standing charge tariffs, with much higher unit rates.
Rising cost
Many charities say that rather than shifting the fee onto another part of the bill, more should be done to help those struggling to pay.
“With October’s price hike just around the corner, lower standing charge tariffs will not help the millions of households bracing themselves for yet another winter of unaffordable energy bills,” said Ms Cooper, of Citizens Advice.
Campaigners are also concerned that more tariffs could create greater confusion.
Mr Lewis, the founder of Money Saving Expert, said the “disappointing” plan seemed to be “significantly watered down” from earlier proposals.
“I get more complaints about standing charges than anything else in energy bills,” he said. “I worry Ofgem has picked an easy route to appease suppliers’ concerns, that doesn’t help the most vulnerable.
“I suspect if it goes ahead like this, not enough people will switch and they’ll say ‘it wasn’t worth it.'”
Dhara Vyas, from Energy UK, which represents suppliers, said it was hard to see how the move warranted the potential cost and disruption.
“Ofgem admits [this] will only be temporary and merely move costs around on the bill, so delivering a limited benefit to customers,” she said.
The plans will now go to consultation before a final decision is made.
Business
Bonus, Dividend & Split: Power Grid, Godfrey, Garden Reach Among 40 Shares In Focus This Week
Last Updated:
Over 40 companies, including Bayer CropScience, Nuvama Wealth Management, and Power Grid Corporation, will see dividends, bonus issues, or stock splits.
Power Grid Corporation, Astral Ltd, Garden Reach Shipbuilders among 40 shares to trade ex-date this week.
Bonus, Dividend & Stock Split: Shares of several listed companies will remain in focus among investors this week for various corporate actions, including dividend, bonus and stock split. Between November 10 and November 15, 2025, more than 40 firms will trade ex-dividend and ex-date for bonus or stock split.
Among the big names, Bayer CropScience will distribute an interim dividend of Rs 90 per share, the highest in this round. Nuvama Wealth Management follows with Rs 70 per share, while Ajanta Pharma, Godfrey Phillips India, and Great Eastern Shipping will reward shareholders with Rs 28, Rs 17, and Rs 7.2 per share respectively.
Blue-chip firms like Power Grid Corporation, Astral Ltd, Garden Reach Shipbuilders, and Chambal Fertilisers have also declared interim dividends in the range of Rs 4.5–5.75 per share.
Other notable payers include Sasken Technologies (Rs 12), Garware Technical Fibres (Rs 8), Kaveri Seed Company (Rs 5), and D-Link India (Rs 6).
Infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs) such as PowerGrid InvIT, Indus Infra Trust, and Anzen India Energy Yield Plus Trust have also announced income distributions during the period.
Bonus And Stock Split Rush
Investors can also look forward to corporate actions like bonus issues and stock splits this week. Sampre Nutritions Ltd have announced a stock split from Rs 10 to Rs 5 face value and a 1:1 bonus issue. SMC Global Securities has also declared a 1:1 bonus issue, while Websol Energy System goes for a stock split from Rs 10 to Rs 1.
Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
November 09, 2025, 09:09 IST
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Scotland’s Finance Secretary has requested an urgent meeting with the Chancellor amid reports she will raise taxes in her Budget this month.
Shona Robison set out what she said were three tests Rachel Reeves must meet when she delivers her tax and spending plans on November 26.
They include ditching her fiscal rules and delivering investment “to grow the economy and support people with the cost of living”, ensuring “every penny” raised from any tax rises is reinvested in public services with consequential funding to Scotland and a promise the Budget will not amount to austerity and cuts for Holyrood.
It comes after a pre-Budget speech from the Chancellor in which she failed to rule out tax rises, warning she will have to make “necessary choices” after the “world has thrown more challenges our way”.
Reports later suggested the Chancellor could raise income tax. The Fraser of Allander Institute has estimated a 2p hike could cut Scotland’s budget by £1 billion.
The Finance Secretary said: “The Chancellor’s unexpected Downing Street speech has fuelled speculation and piled uncertainty on uncertainty about Labour tax hikes in the upcoming UK Budget, with a potential price tag of £1 billion for Scotland.
“Let me be clear: Scotland should not be left paying the price for Labour’s broken promises.”
Ms Robison said last year’s Budget was a “disaster” for the Chancellor, “taxing jobs, (the) vulnerable and doing nothing on child poverty”.
She said she had requested an urgent meeting with her, where she would set out her three tests.
She said: “This year, I am setting three tests the UK Budget must meet – and the first is that the Chancellor must ditch her outdated, restrictive fiscal rules. The era in which these rules were set is over and Rachel Reeves must face up to the new reality.
“And crucially, every single penny raised from any Labour tax rises must be invested into public services with consequential funding for Scotland.
“Rachel Reeves must also confirm that Scotland will not see our funding cut as a result of Labour decisions.
“They came to office promising an end to austerity, so to impose it on Scotland would be a political betrayal from which Labour would never recover.
“I have requested an urgent meeting with the Chancellor and will be clear to her that her Budget must meet these three key tests.
“But the chaos and confusion coming out of the UK Government this week is just confirmation that Scotland shouldn’t be leaving crucial decisions about our finances in the hands of incompetent Westminster governments – these decisions should be in Scotland’s hands, with the fresh start of independence.”
An HM Treasury spokesperson said: “Our record funding settlement for Scotland will mean over 20% more funding per head than the rest of the UK.
“We have also confirmed £8.3 billion in funding for GB Energy-Nuclear and GB Energy in Aberdeen, up to £750 million for a new supercomputer at Edinburgh University, and are investing £452 million over four years for City and Growth Deals across Scotland.
“This investment is all possible because our fiscal rules are non-negotiable, they are the basis of the stability which underpins growth.”
KARACHI:
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) have agreed to strengthen cooperation for Pakistan’s economic revival.
During a meeting held at KCCI on Saturday, KCCI President Rehan Hanif and LCCI President Faheemur Rehman Saigol said that Pakistan had great potential despite facing serious challenges, but cautioned that poor policies and neglect of the private sector could make the economic situation worse.
Saigol stressed that Pakistan’s economy continued to survive only because of its immense potential as the country was blessed with abundant natural and human resources not found elsewhere in the region. However, he lamented that “the real problem lies in mismanagement of these resources”.
“With a population of 240 million, Pakistan has a huge consumer market. However, instead of promoting local industries and encouraging import substitution, our policies have increased the country’s trade deficit,” he said.
The LCCI chief explained that the main purpose of his visit to KCCI was to ensure that business communities of Karachi and Lahore were on the same page. “Our strength lies in securing a rightful share in policymaking. Legislation must be framed in consultation with the business community, which is the actual stakeholder and understands how tax collection targets can be effectively achieved,” he said.
He invited KCCI office-bearers to visit LCCI, stating that such an exchange would help establish a historic and much-needed liaison between the two leading chambers. “Only through a unified voice, we can expect to get our issues resolved,” he affirmed.
Businessmen Group Vice Chairman Anjum Nisar emphasised that a unified stance would compel the government to address legitimate concerns.
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