Ms Aoife MacEvilly:

It would be anomalous to have a standing charge at that scale. The other thing is we look at is what we call the estimated annual bill. If a typical consumer is using the typical annual consumption, how much would that consumer use? It applies that same basis of comparison across all the suppliers. In the stats at the moment, we are seeing that the suppliers, even though there have been changes and some of them went for price increases at different times, movements and large differences could be seen at times between the standard charges for customers. They are actually converging. If there is somebody that is charging a high standing charge, they may be charging a very low unit rate. It may be that could present a better value for customers. However, we have not seen a standing charge of the scale the Deputy is talking about. We would be interested if she could give us the example. Perhaps there is something that we are missing.

The main thing for customers is to do something like go onto one of the accredited price comparison websites. You can either programme in typical consumption or put in your own consumption and they will tell you what the best value out there for the kind of consumption in your household. That is the main means by which customers can ensure they are getting the right value in the market.