With further rises next January taking the bills past £5000. Many households will cope – just, with major changes to their expenditure: Many will not cope at all. Only the rich will benefit as energy is a tiny % of their income, and they get £400 for each second home.
Energy bills for businesses have in many cases already spiralled with many beginning to go bankrupt – thus causing unemployment to rise. Chip shops and pubs maybe some of the first to close
The only sensible solution is to cut energy use. The government should give 100% loans interest free (repayable over 10 years) for the installation of solar panel and insulation. therefore a minimal cost to the government. Households would get free electricity in day time and be paid the going rate per therm, or the benefits of insulation. If heat pumps are viable they should again be massively subsidised.
PS. What does the standing charge actually pay for? Electricity, gas, water, telephone? Are these prices regulated?