Anybody else not too worried about the energy price rises?

[t0nim92]

I'm seeing all these posts and articles about people worrying about how they're going to pay their bills etc.

Is there anyone else on a low income and not too worried about the price hikes?

I'm on a low income but usually ever year I get a refund from my gas and electric company for being in credit with them both, so at a worst this year I'm expecting to not receive one.

I live in quite a poor area but feel if I was struggling for food then there would be options there. There's lots of community food set ups, for example pay a certain amount and go and fill up a few bags with shopping, a local cafe has a kindness cabinet that has food free to take, there's a free community 3 course meal locally that's on weekly, the bread and butter thing etc.

I really hope that people realise that there's things out there that can help their situation if it's needed, rather then going without food or heating.

We don’t have any of those things OP. We had a free lunch club for children in the school holidays, but it closed during covid and has never reopened. Nearest food bank is a £4 bus ride away.
I’m lucky enough that I won’t need help but from my volunteering role I know a lot of people who will struggle. They tend to be on prepayment meters (already more expensive), so don’t get any form of rebate. They already scrimp to pay for what they need.
And no one likes relying on things like food banks or community food schemes, even if they are available. People want to be able to pay their way.

Our octopus direct debit was put up to £160 in October, up from £90. We used to be in credit each year -and that’s where we started off in October.

We are now all ready owing them despite paying double and it’s only February. Heating is no higher than 18 in the day when we are in. Off at night.

A kindness cabinet isn’t going to help an awful lot tbh, not that there is anything like that in our area.

I do hope the worst case scenario for you is just that you don’t get a refund but what if you end up owing them?

And even though we won’t struggle, in that we can cut out non essentials to pay for the increase, our DD went from £119 to £220 per month last year. Our current fixed term ends in April and I’m expecting £350 ish. It is a worry.

I think it's good to point out that help is available, OP. But we must bear in mind that there may be many more people needing to take advantage of these initiatives ( if they can access them) and potentially fewer people donating, as they'll be struggling themselves.
Many people have already cut back as far as they are able, so what could be a 54% rise in costs would be catastrophic.

We have a food bank but demand is up and donations are way down. People that usually donate cannot afford to do so now.

Everything you describe relies on donations. What happens when they stop?

Can you afford for your bills to double? Could you pay that until spring 2023?

If so you are probably ok and no need to worry or cut usage.

Food won't be the issue,
It's the means to cook and heat it.

You don't get power top ups for free on pre payment meters. You have to get a crisis grant and those are limited to so many a year.

No one gives you money for electric and gas. £350 per month is way above the budget of a single parent on UC who has maybe only has that amount left after rent,

Everything you describe relies on donations. What happens when they stop?

Yes, sadly one of the ‘non essentials’ that people stop buying in order to fund their own increasing fuel bills will have to be donations. It affects everyone.

I have been in a sombre mood since the price rises were announced. This is going to affect so many people It breaks my heart that we live in the United Kingdom yet the government cannot properly look after all of it's citizens.
I also fear the number of people donating to food banks will definitely decrease.

I wanted to look beyond the newspaper headlines and sat down with a year’s bills and worked out my new bills based on that. It took me from £87/month to £195 - more than double. Standing charges are a huge part of that and no amount of jumper-wearing and turning lights off can make that go away. I really don’t think most people realise how huge these jumps will be - there’s a lot of folk thinking turning the heating down a bit will compensate.

I'm not for myself because I can afford it but I am for other people. Thanks to the poster who said donations to food banks will drop, it has reminded me to do a regular donation, I've moved and don't pop into the supermarket between deliveries so have got out of the habit.

OP are you fully aware of the extent of the price rise that's just about to hit and the next one in October? this combined with rapidly rising food prices and the increase in Nics is going to massively impact families. I think you sound a bit niaive to be honest.

This thread is in really poor taste when there are families out there who are really worried about heating their homes and feeding their kids.

Maybe I am naive and don’t understand fully realise how much they are going to rise. I didn’t realise they were increasing again in October.

I don’t/ didn’t mean to offend anyone, just hoping that people seek help instead of going without food

I rent and pay a small amount each month for bills. It covers everything including heating, lighting, water and council tax. It really is such a small amount that, even if it goes up a bit, it really will still be doable. One benefit of my current rented property which I wouldn't have if I owned my place!

So because you get a refund from your energy company, you don't see how people's energy bills doubling might be an issue? Are you still on a fixed tariff? As you're going to get a nasty shock.

Our bill will pretty much have doubled since a year ago when April hits. We can afford it. Lots can't, and it's naive and dare I say offensive to shrug and say 'what's the big deal? Just go to a food bank' when we have working families unable to adequately heat their homes or feed their children in 2022.

I don't think you've checked your bills properly.

My fixed rate ends this month and my electricity unit price will double and my gas will triple. I have £400+ in credit with the energy company, but I've still increased my DD by £100 pm (from £120). Admittedly it's a big house, but I really doubt previous overpayment will cover it OP

I'm not worried. I don't get the uproar. If you are on a very low income I of course appreciate that this is a big worry. I don't see this as a big issue for most people. We'll have time cut back in other ways to make ends meet. It'll be not great. We've all had worse.

We are incredibly fortunate in that we can afford the price rises, but that doesn't stop me being concerned about how other people will cope.
I donate every week to our local foodbank and am now buying stuff that can be heated very quickly. So microwave rice rather than a packet of rice that takes 25 minutes to cook, tinned fruit with instant custard, instant mashed potato etc.
It's shit.

I haven’t said anywhere that they should go to a food bank. The bread and butter thing works at reducing waste from supermarkets and it’s a paid thing. Cheaper then going to the shops. As I’ve already said, haven’t meant to offend anyone, just hope that people look at what’s out there in the community

I'm very fortunate as I live in France and the government here have capped rises at 4% costing EDF, the largest supplier, 8 billion €.
I think other European countries are doing similar its just the British government who seem desperate to bring back victorian standards and I expect workhouses to be on the horizon.

@t0nim92

Maybe I am naive and don’t understand fully realise how much they are going to rise. I didn’t realise they were increasing again in October.

I don’t/ didn’t mean to offend anyone, just hoping that people seek help instead of going without food

But that help relies on donations, and if people are struggling, one of the first things to go will be donations to eg. food banks and charities.

People won't be able to help strangers eat when they can't afford to eat themselves.

No, I'm not. My DM used to say that worry makes you ill - it does nothing to solve your problems. I've got a plan to deal with the increases, cutting back on some things, changing the way we do some other things which, I believe, should be sufficient but I'm not losing sleep over it.

In one way I'm not worried - I'm sad and wish it wasn't happening, but we can afford it - we have some savings after three years of both of us having jobs. Those savings will just dwindle.

However, if almost all of society suffers a shockwave financially at the same time, it will hit all of us. Everyone cuts back, surely there's a knock on effect on businesses, crime etc?

I’m not sure everyone has realised about the increase in the electricity standing charge so that’s is going to happen even if you use zero electric