The energy regulator Ofgem told BBC's Money Box that it is writing to chief executives demanding to know how many people have been sent "back bills". Back billing is when customers receive new bills for energy used longer than 12 months before - a practice that was banned seven years ago.

Standing charges are applied daily, regardless of how much energy the customer uses, and many campaigners say they affect vulnerable customers more.

A report by consumer watchdog Citizens Advice claimed that network operators made use of a regulatory loophole set by Ofgem

OFGEM has required energy suppliers to offer tariffs with low or no standing charges, allowing customers to pay costs as part of the unit rate. This change aims to give consumers more flexibility and potentially lower their energy bills.

Under Ofgem’s proposal, suppliers would have to offer a tariff where standing charges are scrapped or significantly reduced, shifting costs onto the unit rate instead. While this could benefit low energy users, Lewis sees a critical issue: “To get it, people have to opt in.”

British energy regulator Ofgem has proposed that energy suppliers offer tariffs with low or no standing charges, integrated into the unit rate. This change aims to provide consumers with more flexibility in managing their energy bills.

Energy regulator Ofgem has issued a major update on plans to introduce new energy tariffs with no standing charges. Standing charges are a daily charge paid by all households, which cover the fixed costs of delivering energy to homes and businesses. Currently, the energy price cap dictates the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge.

Standing charges are set by energy suppliers and rack up daily, regardless of how much energy you use that day.