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Gas Standing Charge Abolition: 60% of Gas Users Save £45
Updated 2026
The government put a figure on last week’s promise to scrap gas standing charges: about 60% of gas account holders should save an average of £45 a year. This week also brought new powers over LPG supply, two range cooker launches from Rangemaster and Bertazzoni, and heating oil back under £1,000 for 900 litres in Northern Ireland.
Gas standing charges: the Bill that scraps them, and who saves
The Energy Independence Bill was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday 4 November. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero says it will add amendments to the Bill to support scrapping standing charges on household gas bills, “ending the daily charge paid even when no gas is used”. It says around 23 million households will get more control over their energy costs, and that around 60% of gas account holders are expected to save an average of £45 a year.
Last week’s Budget put the average gas standing charge at £108 a year and asked Ofgem to remove it, aiming for the end of 2027. The cost moves onto the price of each unit of gas instead. That is why the saving does not reach everyone: the department has not said what happens to the other 40% of account holders, but the households that use the most gas, such as those with a gas-fired AGA running all day or gas central heating, are the ones paying the most units, so they gain least and could pay more. If gas only runs your hob or a dual fuel range, you are in the group most likely to save.
The Bill also makes permanent, to March 2029, the move of 75% of the domestic Renewables Obligation costs off energy bills and onto public spending, which the department says has already taken around £90 a year off the average household bill. Our range cooker energy price cap rates page has today’s standing charges and unit rates, and gas vs electric vs induction compares the running costs of each hob type. Sources: DESNZ, Energy Independence Bill announcement, HM Treasury, Budget 2026.
LPG: new government powers to keep supplies flowing
The same Bill gives the Energy Secretary new powers over the LPG supply chain, which the government says serves about 180,000 homes in the UK for heating. Ministers will be able to direct LPG facilities to respond to disruption and to risks to supply, to require information and incident reports from the industry, and, “in rare and exceptional circumstances”, to give financial support to keep supplies going. Equivalent powers already apply in the fuel sector.
Why it matters: if your range cooker runs on bottled or bulk LPG because there is no mains gas, this is the first time the government will have direct powers to act when supplies are disrupted. It does nothing to the price you pay. For the costs, see bulk LPG prices per litre and our page on LPG and oil range cookers for off-grid homes. Source: DESNZ, Energy Independence Bill factsheet on gas and LPG resilience.
Rangemaster Aura: a new range sold only through Euronics shops
Rangemaster has launched the Aura, a range cooker sold only through Euronics’ independent retailers, trade magazine ERT reported on 5 November. It comes in 90cm and 110cm widths, either with a five-zone induction hob or as a dual fuel model with five or six gas burners, including a wok burner. Inside there is an 80-litre left-hand fan oven, a second fan oven and a separate grill that pulls out on telescopic runners and can heat half or the full width. The 110cm model is available with a storage drawer. Colours are Black, Slate, White and two shades offered only on the Aura, River Bed Green and Plum, with Onyx Black or Brushed Nickel trims. It carries a five-year warranty.
Why it matters: an exclusive model is harder to price-check, because you cannot compare it like for like at the big online retailers. Ask your local Euronics shop how the Aura’s spec and price compare with Rangemaster’s main collections before you decide. Our Rangemaster cookers guide explains how those collections differ, and best 110cm range cookers covers the large size. Sources: ERT, Rangemaster, Aura collection.
Bertazzoni adds 17 range cookers in black and gold
Bertazzoni has added 17 range cookers in 90cm, 100cm and 110cm widths, ERT reported on 4 November. They include matt black “Carbonio” dual fuel models with one, two or three ovens in its Professional Series, all-black gas and induction models in its Master Series, and Master Series double-oven models in stainless steel or matt black with gold knobs. Bertazzoni says the main oven in all its range cookers has 11 functions, and Professional Series models have pre-set cooking programmes and an air fry function. The company says all the new models are on sale now from its UK retailers.
Why it matters: matt and all-black finishes are where the colour choice is growing, but a matt surface shows grease and fingerprints differently from enamel or stainless steel, so look at one in a showroom before you order. Our best range cookers and best 100cm range cookers pages compare the main brands. Source: ERT.
Heating oil: back under £1,000 for 900 litres
The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland’s weekly survey put 900 litres of heating oil at an average of £991.72 on 5 November 2026, about 110p a litre. That is £31.60 less than the £1,023.32 recorded on 29 October, and the first reading below £1,000 since 8 October. It is still nearly double the £501.42 recorded a year earlier, on 6 November 2025. The Budget’s suspension of the tariff on kerosene heating oil starts on 26 November.
Why it matters: if you run an oil-fired AGA, Rayburn or Esse and your tank is low, a falling week is a reasonable time to get quotes, but get at least three and only order what your tank can hold. Our pages on heating oil prices per litre and AGA running costs per year put the numbers in context. Source: Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, heating oil price archive.
