<p>As budget looms, chancellor says he will ask Ofgem to remove ‘unfair and outdated’ fixed daily fee in 2027 or soon after</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/oct/28/john-healey-budget-standing-charges-gas-city-bonds-pound-latest-news-updates">Business live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>John Healey is abolishing standing charges on gas bills for 23m homes in a move he says will end an “unfair and outdated” practice and save two-thirds of households an average of £45 a year.</p><p>Ahead of his <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/27/john-healey-budget-help-with-cost-of-living-deferring-decisions-on-tax-and-spending">first budget statement</a> in the Commons later on Wednesday, the chancellor said he would ask Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, to remove these charges – which are £108 a year for the typical household – next year or as soon as possible after.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/oct/28/john-healey-to-end-standing-charges-on-gas-bills-ofgem-budget">Continue reading...</a>