During an Energy Security and Net Zero Committee meeting, Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem, proposed that energy could be charged according to income.

The idea that a commodity, whether it be a bag of crisps or a car, should have its price set by how much you earn is unusual. When Labour MP Polly Billington asked: “Do you think there is any merit in scaling network and policy costs based on people's income levels and their bills?”

Brearley replied: “…this system is going to have more fixed costs and less variable costs than it does today, then how do we best allocate those costs? And one of those ways may be to attach it to income”.

Standing charges also were under the microscope with Billington questioning why customers switching to electrified heating had to keep their gas meters and continue paying the gas standing charge until they clear their energy debt.

Brearley replied: “I think there's some really big questions about scale and pace. I think is part of that. What the exit fees that people need to pay and relationship with standing charges is something we should look at… what we are trying to do is to create an alternative option.”

One is remined oof the line from the Beatles Taxman: “If you get too cold, cold, I'll tax the heat. If you take a walk, walk, I'll tax your feet.

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