Scottish Power £120 a year standing charge...

[mcflurry]

Many tariffs either have a standing charge, or charge more for the first x number units to compensate for it...

[seaninog]

Not ridiculous at all.

Energy pricing is incredibly complicated and many firms charge a "daily" charge but then charge you less for each unit you use. Those that brag about "no standing charge" aren't as quick to tell you that their units cost a lot more than others. It's all swings and roundabouts.

I've even had to build a spreadsheet to work out which is cheapest for me...!

[Zippee]

Our daily standing charge with Scottish power combined for gas and electric is a couple of hundred a year, but included within that cost is a full emergency service plan and annual boiler service similar to the British gas offering.