Ofgem call for input on standing charges: FOI release

Information requested

Any submissions made by the Scottish Government to Ofgem's call for input on standing charges.

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. We do not hold this information because the Scottish Government did not submit a formal response to the Ofgem Call for Input on Standing Charges.

However, the then Minister for Energy and the Environment, Gillian Martin, met with the chief executive and chair of Ofgem on 8 February 2024 and used this meeting to highlight the Scottish Government’s concerns on a number of matters. This specifically included the issue of standing charges, which are especially high in Scotland, and the Minister’s view that a different approach needs to be found which will afford greater protection to vulnerable consumers.

The Scottish Government also hosted a roundtable, led by Ofgem, in May to discuss Ofgem’s Call for Input on debt and affordability. This session covered a wide range of issues, including standing charges – highlighting the need for a fairer system to reduce the burden on consumers who are least able to afford those charges, and which recognises the role of rural and island communities in generating renewable energy.

The Scottish Government is currently undertaking a series of discussions with the energy industry and consumer organisations around issues affecting domestic and non-domestic consumers in Scotland. These discussions will inform a Ministerial Roundtable on these issues, which is due to take place on 12 September.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.