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.

I don’t think everyone is entitled to use the things that you describe and in our case we don’t have anything like it in our area even if we could access it. We are in that middle wage bracket, we earn just that bit too much for help which is fine (I know that we are lucky compared to a lot of people) but we are only okay while things are as they are.

It isn’t just the electric, everything is going up. Oil, diesel, food etc. We are okay at the moment but I don’t know about in a few months time.

But I’m glad you are okay!

I'm annoyed about it. I will be able to afford it but I will just spend less on other stuff.

I wasn't on a fixed rate anyway. So I'm not sure how much it will go up. I'm sure I'll find out shortly 😬

I worry for other people. But worrying won't change anything for me or them.

I'm more annoyed at the state our country has been run into tbh.

How have we got to the point where food banks, kindness cabinets and free community meals have become a perfectly acceptable part of life?! No, just no.
These price hikes are absolutely scandalous and will plunge so many people into poverty. Why the hell is that OK, just because there are charities that will get you out the shit that's been created?
The same day the hikes were announced, shell announced a record £12billion profits IN 3 MONTHS! Why is nobody up in arms more about that?
We're not on a low income, not high earners either, we're in the forgotten middle bracket and our electric will be going from £200 a month to £300. We'll feel it, as will many more.

There is nothing I can do about it....I will be one of the worse off.

It’s the standing charge increase which is most worrying. I grew up poor, I can live without heating and reducing my use of electric, it’s the reason prepayment meters are popular amongst the less well off - you can only use what you have - but if I’m paying just £25 month for standing charge then I’m fucked.

Crime will probably increase...won’t be a surprise. Poverty always has that.

Itll be interesting to see how many workers now head back to offices to keep the bills down

@Oblomov22

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.

This is astonishing. Do you realise that the UK is the 5th largest economy in the world? This is not some hellhole country where from year to year new dictators take power and everyone just suffers. Not even a mildly anti-democratic, corrupt* post socialist country struggling 20 yrs on to find the balance. *oh wait, that bit is the UK.....

The country that is the 5th largest economy of the world has the means to provide support for it's people. It is by choice that they are not doing this.

Middle class ppl pay shitloads of taxes and yet we are supposed to help out foodbanks and such. As much as I'd love to (and do take stuff to charity shops instead of selling for a few quid, because I can afford it) it is not my responsibility AFTER PAYING TAXES to help out those who are in need.
On one hand it is a lovely spirit of community to do this, but let's open our eyes and start demanding that the bloody government do it's job and not shift it on to us.

And especially not to the middle section, because the middle class will be at a breaking point soon if this keeps going. We are the ones who are usually middle aged, have kids, careers, we have things to lose. So we comply with all stupid rules, we pay through our noses and don't speak up. This is what needs to end. People need to stand up and demand value for their money. Demand a system that doesn't rely on foodbanks and donations.

@Dreamstate

Itll be interesting to see how many workers now head back to offices to keep the bills down

I’d have gone back 18 months ago if they’d have let me. In fact I’d never have left! Sadly many employers are also cutting costs by closing offices.

@Pembertonrd

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.

That's not true, as you well know if you are in France you produce a lot of your own energy so along with some subsidies aren't as affected by the GLOBAL increase in fuel prices. Admittedly the government can do a lot more to help out here, but many counties in Europe are also facing crazy rises.

OP the issue is as well is that as prices increase, so does everything. Factories and shops have to spend more on their bills so food and everything else rises- it's not just about your bills.

I don't quite understand how some peoples bills have gone up already, were they on a standard tariff, or took out a higher fix? My direct debit is unchanged so far, that being said I don't actually remember if I'm in a fixed tariff or not
Best look that up!

But the point isn’t whether individuals can afford the increases or not, it’s a bigger question around why people should have to rely on charity so they don’t have to decide between food and warmth.

I hadn't fully understood the standing charge increases until this thread . DH has been keen to get a woodburner for a while and I have refused due to the environmental impact of them. But I am more keen now, as I would rather be able to heat my house in a not great way than not at all.

@DialsMavis

I hadn't fully understood the standing charge increases until this thread . DH has been keen to get a woodburner for a while and I have refused due to the environmental impact of them. But I am more keen now, as I would rather be able to heat my house in a not great way than not at all.

Lol I have to laugh at this because for so long people have protested against frackinf and nuclear power stations so we could be more self sufficient instead of importing our energy.

Politicians, starrinf eith Ed Millibands legally binding policy to binding us into achieving lower carbon emissions and therefore subsequent political sinckusinf itin their agenda cos people vote for a greener policy, wanting cleaner air etc.

The minute reality sets in and its gonna hurt their pocket its a complete u turn, well fuck the environment then.

Hahaha what a joke.

@TheSunIsStillShining absolutely!

I'm sure there are some people who already struggle now and genuinely won't be able to have hot food after April.

@StartingGrid

I don't quite understand how some peoples bills have gone up already, were they on a standard tariff, or took out a higher fix? My direct debit is unchanged so far, that being said I don't actually remember if I'm in a fixed tariff or not Best look that up!

Same here, my bills haven’t increased yet either, and I’m on a standard tariff.

I spoke to family and they’ve said they have noticed the price of meat and fish have increased but as we’re dairy, fish and meat free in our house I haven’t noticed this either.

Tbh I think I have been a bit oblivious to how much things are going to increase, I wasn’t aware of electricity rising or further increases in October with gas. Maybe I should be worried

Instead of stupid fuel loan that has to be repaid at a later date forcing people into debt Sunak needs to make gas and electricity 0 VAT.

Also the help that I’ve mentioned are not means tested or available to only those struggling etc. They’re open to everyone I just don’t think many people are aware of them

@t0nim92

Also the help that I’ve mentioned are not means tested or available to only those struggling etc. They’re open to everyone I just don’t think many people are aware of them

I’m aware that they don’t exist in my area (I work and volunteer in this field)

@t0nim92

Also the help that I’ve mentioned are not means tested or available to only those struggling etc. They’re open to everyone I just don’t think many people are aware of them

That doesn't make it OK, they should never be a thing in this day and age!! Relying on the goodwill of others is a dangerous way for us to be expected to live, goodwill doesn't last forever.

I wasnt too worried but the more i hear about it the more i am. Im on a fixed rate till Sept so need to try and start over paying now. I gave up work over a year ago after having ds2 who is disabled. I havr worked since i finished school/uni at 20 so living on benefits at 40 is horrific. Im scared i wont be able to provide for my sons as im a single parent.

I haven't RTFT but in case someone hasn't mentioned it, it won't just be the direct energy costs, but also extra costs being added to shopping, services etc to cover THEIR extra energy bills too.

So that, together with (a lot) more national insurance, higher interest rates so more expensive housing (both mortgages and rent) and lower wages in relation to the cost of living, means that we're all going to be doing much worse for the next couple of years, although arguably some more than others.

I suspect though that it'll all magically get better just before the next election and the government will be trumpeting how well they've done (they haven't).

I’m not particularly worried. We will have less disposable income at the end of the month but that’s life.

@SweetPetrichor

I’m not particularly worried. We will have less disposable income at the end of the month but that’s life.

And that’s great for those people who have disposable income left at the end of the month, but many don’t.

On oil so heating is expensive anyway. Gas used to be cheap but has caught up with oil now. We are on a low income and have to use the wood stove and not heat upstairs. Luckily we have wood to use. Have severely limited buying oil for the past several years. So prices not really changed that much for us.

Same here, my bills haven’t increased yet either, and I’m on a standard tariff

My supplier hasn't increased my direct debit either. Problem is that it relates to the price I was paying months ago while I was on a fix with Avro, which was less than the price cap set in April 2021, so there's an increase there, plus the 30% increase in the price cap in October 2021, plus the recently announced 54% increase applicable from April this year.

So while I'm still paying the same amount, the electricity and gas is costing more than twice as much, and my account is getting further into debt.

Fortunately I will be able to afford the increase when it comes and will be able to pay off any debt, but it doesn't mean my bill hasn't already gone up a lot, because it has.

Anyone who has been on a standing tariff since before October 2021 has seen the same increases, so unless you've halved your annual usage, your bills have gone up, a lot.