UK ministers looking at removing standing charges from gas bills - PM
(Alliance News) - Andy Burnham has said ministers will consider whether standing charges can be removed from gas bills to ease cost pressures on households.
The UK prime minister told the Commons he had asked Chancellor John Healey and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh to examine scrapping the charges and to report back to MPs as soon as possible.
Burnham was asked about the government's decision to approve for the Jackdaw gas field in Prime Minister's Questions.
He said he had made a decision that the previous Tory government "messed up".
"That's why there was the delay, because they didn't do the process properly. And we've made a pragmatic decision, Speaker, that will allow us to do two things.
"Firstly, build a bridge to a renewable future because the resources that come in now from this decision will allow us to invest in renewables, bring forward clean energy and in this Parliament, substantially de-link gas and electricity prices so that we can bring bills down.
"It will also allow us, Speaker, to do more to help people with bills. I can tell the House today that I have asked the chancellor and the Energy Secretary [Miatta Fahnbulleh] to look at whether we can remove standing charges from gas bills and to report back to this House at the earliest opportunity."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had criticised the Labour government for "dithering" for two-and-a-half years to approve Jackdaw, as she called for Labour to repeal its ban on all new oil and gas licences.
"We have the resources, the expertise and the people," she said. "What we have lost is the confidence to make tough decisions".
Adura, co-owned by Shell PLC and Equinor ASA, owns the Jackdaw project.
Shell shares were 0.4% higher at 3,914.00 pence each on Wednesday afternoon in London, while Equinor shares were up 0.7% at NOK430.20 in Oslo.
By Press Association Political Staff
Press Association: Finance
source: PA
Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
The articles, information, and content displayed on this webpage may include materials prepared and provided by third parties. Such third-party content is offered for informational purposes only and is not endorsed, reviewed, or verified by Morningstar.
Morningstar makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party content displayed on this site. The views and opinions expressed in third-party content are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Morningstar, its affiliates, or employees.
Morningstar is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or delays in this content, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Users are advised to exercise their own judgment and seek independent financial advice before making any decisions based on such content. The third-party providers of this content are not affiliated with Morningstar, and their inclusion on this site does not imply any form of partnership, agency, or endorsement.
Popular
4 Stocks to Buy for the Long-Term While They’re Still Undervalued
6 ETFs To Diversify Away From AI
Are TIPS ETFs the Best Way to Fight Inflation?
What’s Ahead for Stocks This Quarter—and Where to Invest
United States