Island Energy has confirmed it has no plans to remove standing charges from household gas bills, a decision that will surprise absolutely no one who has ever watched a utility company react to a change in policy elsewhere.

The announcement follows UK Chancellor John Healy's Wednesday reveal in the Autumn Budget that standing charges - the fixed daily fees customers pay regardless of how much energy they actually use - will be scrapped from household gas bills in England, Scotland and Wales, with the costs folded into the unit rate instead.

Island Energy, which supplies homes and businesses across the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey through parent group Islands Energy Group, said any proposed changes on the island would be subject to consultation with the Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority (CURA). A spokesperson offered the time-honoured utility defence: removing standing charges may benefit some customers but could see others pay more.

"The cost currently covered by the standing charge would instead be recovered through the unit price of energy," the spokesperson explained, presumably while adjusting a monocle. "This means customers who use less energy could save money, while those who use more could see their bills increase."

Islands Energy Group serves about 40,000 domestic, commercial and industrial customers across the three islands, and said any change to the charging structure would need the clear support of the community, the regulator and government - a triple sign-off that has historically been the utility industry's favourite way of ensuring nothing ever changes.

Treasury Minister Michael Crowe said his department was reviewing the various measures set out by the chancellor to understand what the implications might be for the island. "As we look towards the Isle of Man Budget, in February 2027, our priority is to strike the right balance between supporting people and businesses today and maintaining strong, sustainable public finances for the years ahead," he said.

In line with the Autumn Statement, the island will extend the reduction in the VAT rate from 5% to 0% on domestic electricity supplies until 30 June 2027. It will also honour the Customs and Excise Agreement with the UK and continue to apply the cut in fuel duty of 5p per litre until 30 June 2027. A reduced duty rate for red diesel, introduced in June until the end of the year, will likewise be extended to 30 June 2027.

Meanwhile, domestic gas bills on the island are set to fall by 13.8% after a review, and no further price hike is expected for electricity bills - proof that sometimes the best way to avoid a standing charge controversy is to simply lower the bill and hope everyone stops asking questions.