Why is my standing charge up by 80%? Energy firms pile on the agony

However much we try to save on electricity and gas use at home, it has no affect on the standing charge. Photograph: Jeff Gilbert/Alamy

Energy customers receiving details of how much their energy bills will rise in April are braced for higher costs – but a big leap in standing charges has already taken many by surprise.

For millions of customers on variable rate tariffs the daily charge for electricity, applied whether you use any power or not, will leap, with some set to pay 80% more when they take effect in spring.