Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Act 2018

2018 CHAPTER 21

An Act to make provision for the imposition of a cap on rates charged to domestic customers for the supply of gas and electricity; and for connected purposes.

[19th July 2018]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

The capE+W+S

1Cap on standard variable and default ratesE+W+S

(1)As soon as practicable after this Act is passed, the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (“the Authority”) must modify the standard supply licence conditions so that they include conditions (“tariff cap conditions”) that impose a cap on all standard variable and default rates that may be charged by the holders of supply licences for the supply of gas or electricity under domestic supply contracts.

But this is subject to section 3 (exemptions from the cap).

(2)The Authority—

(a)may modify the tariff cap conditions from time to time, but

(b)must secure that such conditions continue to be included in the standard supply licence conditions until they cease to have effect by virtue of section 8.

(3)The “standard supply licence conditions” are the standard conditions incorporated in supply licences by virtue of section 8 of the Gas Act 1986 or section 8A of the Electricity Act 1989.

[F1(3A)If tariff cap conditions cease to have effect by virtue of section 8 in the case of supply licences for the supply of gas but continue to have effect in the case of supply licences for the supply of electricity, or vice versa, the reference in subsection (2)(b) to the standard supply licence conditions is to be construed accordingly.]

(4)In relation to a domestic supply contract—

(a)“standard variable rate” means a rate or amount charged for, or in relation to, the supply of gas or electricity under the contract that is not fixed for a period specified in the contract, and

(b)“default rate” means a rate or amount charged for, or in relation to, the supply of gas or electricity under the contract that applies if the customer under the contract fails to choose an alternative rate.

(5)Modifications made by the Authority under this section may include consequential, incidental, supplemental and transitional modifications of the standard supply licence conditions.

(6)The Authority must exercise its functions under this section with a view to protecting existing and future domestic customers who pay standard variable and default rates, and in so doing it must have regard to the following matters—

(a)the need to create incentives for holders of supply licences to improve their efficiency;

(b)the need to set the cap at a level that enables holders of supply licences to compete effectively for domestic supply contracts;

(c)the need to maintain incentives for domestic customers to switch to different domestic supply contracts;

(d)the need to ensure that holders of supply licences who operate efficiently are able to finance activities authorised by the licence;

[F2(e)the need to set the cap at a level that takes account of the impact of the cap on public spending.]

[F3(6A)In performing the duty under subsection (6)(e), the Authority must have regard to any information provided to it by the Secretary of State, or any guidance given by the Secretary of State, in relation to the matter mentioned in that provision.]

(7)Nothing in this section is to be read as requiring the cap imposed on a standard variable or default rate to apply in relation to any charge that—

(a)forms part of that rate, but

(b)is not paid on a regular basis by the majority of customers who pay that rate.

Textual Amendments

2Tariff cap conditionsE+W+S

(1)Tariff cap conditions—

(a)have effect in relation to supply licences, whenever granted, and domestic supply contracts, whenever entered into;

(b)must set out how the cap is to be calculated, and may make provision about assumptions required to be made in making the calculation;

(c)may make provision specifying how a standard variable or default rate is to be identified;

(d)may make provision requiring information to be provided by holders of supply licences to the Authority for the purposes of exercising functions relating to tariff cap conditions;

(e)may confer functions on the Authority;

(f)may make different provision for different areas or different cases;

(g)may do any of the things authorised for supply licences by section 7B(5)(a), (6) or (7) of the Gas Act 1986 or section 7(3), (4), (5) or (6A) of the Electricity Act 1989.

(2)But tariff cap conditions may not—

(a)exempt holders of supply licences from their application, or

(b)make different provision for different holders of supply licences.

(3)Before making the first modifications under section 1 the Authority must, and before making any subsequent modifications under that section the Authority may, consult such persons as it considers appropriate on the methodology to be used for the purposes of the cap.

(4)Consultation undertaken before this Act is passed is as effective for the purposes of subsection (3) as consultation undertaken after it is passed.

3Exemptions from the capE+W+S

(1)Tariff cap conditions do not apply in relation to domestic customers who—

(a)benefit from the cap on rates or amounts charged for, or in relation to, the supply of gas or electricity provided for by the Energy Market Investigation (Prepayment Charge Restriction) Order 2016, made by the Competition and Markets Authority, or

(b)benefit from a cap on such rates or amounts that is a replacement for the cap provided for by that Order.

(2)Tariff cap conditions may provide for the conditions not to apply in relation to—

(a)domestic customers who benefit from a cap imposed by the Authority on rates or amounts charged for, or in relation to, the supply of gas or electricity to customers who appear to the Authority to be vulnerable by reason of their financial or other circumstances;

(b)standard variable rates which apply only if chosen by domestic customers if, or to the extent that, the rates in question appear to the Authority to support the production of gas, or the generation of electricity, from renewable sources.

(3)The Authority must consult such persons as it considers appropriate about whether and, if so, how to exercise the power conferred by subsection (2)(b).

(4)The Authority may carry out the consultation either before, or in the course of, taking the steps described in section 4 in relation to proposed modifications which consist of or include provision to be made in the exercise of the power conferred by subsection (2)(b).

(5)The Authority must secure that the consultation is carried out at a time that will enable it, if it decides to exercise the power conferred by subsection (2)(b), to do so—

(a)when making the first modifications under section 1, or

(b)if that is not practicable, as soon as practicable after it has made the first modifications under that section.

(6)Consultation undertaken before this Act is passed is as effective for the purposes of subsection (3) as consultation undertaken after it is passed.

ProcedureE+W+S

4Notice of proposed modificationsE+W+S

(1)Before making any modifications under section 1, the Authority must take the following steps.

(2)The Authority must give notice—

(a)stating that it proposes to make the modifications,

(b)setting out the proposed modifications and their effect, and

(c)specifying the period within which representations with respect to the proposed modifications may be made.

(3)That period must be a period of not less than 28 days beginning with the day on which the notice is published.

(4)The notice must be published in such manner as the Authority considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the proposed modifications, and a copy of the notice must be sent to—

(a)each holder of a supply licence,

(b)the Secretary of State,

(c)Citizens Advice, and

(d)[F4Consumer Scotland].

(5)The Authority must consider any representations which are made before the end of the period specified in the notice.

(6)Steps taken before this Act is passed are as effective for the purposes of this section as steps taken after it is passed.

Textual Amendments

5Publication and effect of modificationsE+W+S

(1)This section applies if, after taking the steps described in section 4, the Authority decides to make the modifications.

(2)The Authority must—

(a)publish the modifications in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing them to the attention of persons likely to be affected by them,

(b)state the effect of the modifications,

(c)state how it has taken account of any representations made in the period specified in the notice mentioned in section 4, and

(d)state the reason for any differences between the modifications and those set out in the notice.

(3)Each modification has effect from the day specified by the Authority in relation to it.

(4)That day must be after the end of the period of [F525 working days] beginning with the day on which the modification is published.

[F6(5)In subsection (4), “working day” means a day other than—

(a)Saturday or Sunday,

(b)Christmas Day or Good Friday, or

(c)a day which is a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in any part of the United Kingdom.]

Textual Amendments

F5Words in s. 5(4) substituted (25.10.2022) by Energy Prices Act 2022 (c. 44), s. 30(6), Sch. 3 para. 3(2) (with s. 29)

Review and terminationE+W+S

6Review of level at which cap is setE+W+S

(1)The Authority must, at least once every 6 months while tariff cap conditions have effect, review the level at which the cap is set.

[F7(1A)As soon as practicable after carrying out a review under subsection (1), the Authority must—

(a)produce a statement stating whether, in consequence of the review, the Authority proposes to change the level at which the cap is set, and

(b)send a copy of the statement to the Secretary of State.

(1B)The Authority must publish a statement under subsection (1A) as soon as practicable after complying with that subsection.]

F8(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F8S. 6(2) omitted (25.10.2022) by virtue of Energy Prices Act 2022 (c. 44), s. 30(6), Sch. 3 para. 4(3) (with s. 29)

F97Review of competition for domestic supply contractsE+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

[F108Termination of tariff cap conditionsE+W+S

(1)The Secretary of State may at any time give a notice that tariff cap conditions are to cease to have effect in the case of—

(a)all supply licences,

(b)all supply licences for the supply of gas, or

(c)all supply licences for the supply of electricity.

(2)Where the Secretary of State gives a notice under subsection (1), tariff cap conditions cease to have effect, in the case of licences to which the notice relates, on the date specified in the notice.

(3)In deciding whether to give a notice under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must have regard to the desirability of ensuring that tariff cap conditions continue to have effect—

(a)in the case of supply licences for the supply of electricity, for so long as a scheme is designated for the purposes of section 2 of the Energy Prices Act 2022 (domestic electricity price reduction scheme for Great Britain);

(b)in the case of supply licences for the supply of gas, for so long as a scheme is designated for the purposes of section 3 of the Energy Prices Act 2022 (domestic gas price reduction scheme for Great Britain).

(4)The Secretary of State must publish a notice under subsection (1).

(5)Where tariff cap conditions cease to have effect as provided by this section in the case of all supply licences, the functions of the Authority under section 1 cease to be exercisable.

(6)Where tariff cap conditions cease to have effect as provided by this section in the case of supply licences for the supply of gas, the functions of the Authority under section 1 cease to be exercisable in relation to such licences.

(7)Where tariff cap conditions cease to have effect as provided by this section in the case of supply licences for the supply of electricity, the functions of the Authority under section 1 cease to be exercisable in relation to such licences.]

Textual Amendments

Protection for customers after terminationE+W+S

9Protection for domestic customers after termination of tariff cap conditionsE+W+S

(1)[F11The Authority must, at such intervals as it considers appropriate,] carry out a review into—

(a)the pricing practices of holders of supply licences for the supply of gas and electricity under domestic supply contracts, and

(b)whether there are categories of domestic customers paying, or who may in the future pay, standard variable and default rates for whom protection against excessive charges should be provided.

(2)Such a review must, among other things, consider—

(a)whether there are domestic customers who the Authority considers will suffer an excessive tariff differential where on the termination of fixed rates the customers move to standard variable or default rates, and

(b)whether customers who appear to the Authority to be vulnerable by reason of their financial or other circumstances are in need of protection.

(3)If the review concludes that protection should be provided, the Authority must take such steps as it considers appropriate by the exercise of its functions under the Gas Act 1986 and the Electricity Act 1989.

Textual Amendments

F11Words in s. 9(1) substituted (25.10.2022) by Energy Prices Act 2022 (c. 44), s. 30(6), Sch. 3 para. 7 (with s. 29)

Consequential modification of conditionsE+W+S

10Consequential modification of standard supply licence conditionsE+W+S

(1)The Authority may make such modifications of any standard supply licence conditions as it considers necessary or expedient in consequence of the tariff cap conditions ceasing to have effect [F12, in the case of all supply licences,] as provided by section 8.

[F13(1A)The Authority may make such modifications of any standard conditions incorporated in supply licences by virtue of section 8 of the Gas Act 1986 as it considers necessary or expedient in consequence of tariff cap conditions ceasing to have effect as provided by section 8 in the case only of supply licences for the supply of gas.

(1B)The Authority may make such modifications of any standard conditions incorporated in supply licences by virtue of section 8A of the Electricity Act 1989 as it considers necessary or expedient in consequence of tariff cap conditions ceasing to have effect as provided by section 8 in the case only of supply licences for the supply of electricity.]

(2)The Authority must—

(a)publish [F14modifications made under this section] in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing them to the attention of persons likely to be affected by them, and

(b)state the effect of the modifications.

(3)Each modification [F15made under this section] has effect from the day specified by the Authority in relation to it.

Textual Amendments

F14Words in s. 10(2)(a) substituted (25.10.2022) by Energy Prices Act 2022 (c. 44), s. 30(6), Sch. 3 para. 8(4) (with s. 29)

Final provisionsE+W+S

11Amendments of the Utilities Act 2000E+W+S

(1)The Utilities Act 2000 is amended as follows.

F16(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)In section 81(2) (standard conditions of gas licences), for “or under section 139 of the Energy Act 2013” substitute “ , under section 139 of the Energy Act 2013 or under section 1 or 10 of the Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Act 2018 ”.

(4)In section 105 (general restrictions on disclosure of information)—

(a)in subsection (1)(a), after “Energy Act 2008” insert “ or the Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Act 2018 ”, and

(b)in subsection (6), at the end insert—

“(z)the Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Act 2018.”

Textual Amendments

12InterpretationE+W+S

In this Act—

13Extent and commencementE+W+S

(1)This Act extends to England and Wales and Scotland.

(2)This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.

14Short titleE+W+S

This Act may be cited as the Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Act 2018.