Standing charge hikes of up to €300 on electricity bills – regardless of your energy usage

Standing charges being imposed by gas and electricity companies have been pushed so high that for many customers could be paying up to 300 euro before they switch on a kettle! The standing charge is supposed to reflect the fixed costs associated with providing gas and electricity supply, and not the unit cost of energy. The charge cannot be avoided by households. Charlie Weston – Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent joined Fran on the show.