Martin Lewis says John Healey indicated he would work on an equivalent cut to electricity standing charges in the next year. Lewis told Radio 4's Today programme, as reported by BritBrief, that he met the Chancellor at 11 Downing Street this morning about the plan to scrap gas standing charges.
Lewis also says Healey gave a "read between the lines" yes when asked about a support package from January. Both claims are Lewis's account of a private meeting. The Treasury has not confirmed either.
"if we can only get half of them done, it's better than nothing"
Lewis said the gas change is not the single measure that will "materially" bring bills down. He suggested any January support should go to households in council tax Bands A to D rather than to an extended Warm Homes Discount.
He says the January price cap rise will put a typical bill up by £100 over the three months from then. That figure has not been independently checked. He expects the gas change on 1 October 2027 or 1 January 2028, but that is his own estimate. The Treasury has given no date.
PA, via the Newham Recorder, reports the Treasury saying Healey will ask Ofgem to remove gas standing charges for around 23 million homes. That matches MoneySavingExpert's earlier figure. PA also reports that Andy Burnham told the Commons last week he had asked Healey and the Energy Secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, to examine abolishing standing charges.