Gateshead Council tenants in high-rise blocks will see a new annual standing charge added to their heating bills starting November 1, 2026. The cabinet has approved a yearly £25 charge for customers of the High Rise Energy Infrastructure for Gateshead scheme.
The charge, which works out at 6.9p per day, was introduced to cover the council's rising fixed costs driven by inflation and instability in the energy market. According to the council's report, these fixed costs are incurred regardless of how much energy residents use.
Heat tariffs to rise for specific blocks
Alongside the new standing charge, heat tariffs for the Harlow Green blocks and Regent Court will increase by 1% and 8.8%, respectively, in line with the relevant Ofgem price caps. The scheme currently provides heating to Regent Court, Ripley and Willerby Court, Acomb and Bedale Court, and Barford and Stretford Court.
The council's impact assessment said: "We have limited the cost increases as best we can and protected residents from cost increases through the energy crisis and current uncertainty in the market. We offer support to all customers and highlight support available for vulnerable customers including the priority services register, warm homes discount and offering 'loans' on their meters for those experiencing short term financial difficulty."
Support for vulnerable residents
The assessment added: "We support residents on a case-by-case basis and will also work with other departments and organisations to support residents to access all support they are eligible for."
The new standing charge is estimated to generate £15,614 to support the energy scheme.
