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.

@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!

The first big increase was in October. There'll be another in April.

@WaitingForSunshineAndDaisies

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).

Spot on. Literally everything is costing far much more at an astonishing rate, its whipping up the perfect storm. Increase in national insurance, rising fuel costs, rising insurance, increase in interest rates, rent prices increasing to unmanageable (for most) prices, food prices increasing...where the hell is it going to end?! People cannot simply magic money out of thin air, wages aren't increasing in any way, so what are they supposed to do?

@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's because they don't exist everywhere.

@Dreamstate to be fair that's a very good point.

The increases won’t place my family in hardship but there are so many it will impact that cannot access the services you describe. Many people are sick with anxiety at the prospect of choosing to feed their family or pay bills. It is utterly heartbreaking.

This Government are a fucking disgrace.

I feel we are just going back to Victorian times.

No money for fuel or food. Prices through the roof and NI raises.

I just hope this comes back and bites the bastards on the bum at the next election.

I'm not worried for myself, I can afford tripling prices.
Others can't though.
Poverty has been growing for over a decade in the UK. Its absolutely shameful.
I don't want to live in a country with the most billionaires, I want to live in a country with the least poverty.
We shouldn't be sharing tips for surviving poverty, we should be marching on parliament over this.

I feel like a lot of people think that they have money to spend because they’re clever at managing - they shop at Aldi, change tariff, turn the heating down…and that makes them feel a bit smarter, almost as if this sort of thing won’t touch them. But it will effect everyone and you can’t just drop down to value brands to finagle your way out of it. For one thing they’re getting more expensive too and for another it goes beyond making your own soup and so on.

I’ve always had extra on account at the end of the year. This year it was next to nothing and they have calculated an increase of £50 per month. I’m not worried, because I can afford it, but looking at their calculations, it seems there won’t be much at the end of this year either. I wouldn’t rely on this being your saving grace.

I’m glad you have lots of options in your community for help, people must be really generous. I guarantee there isn’t much available in my area for people who struggle.

[quote Lampshading]@Dreamstate to be fair that's a very good point.[/quote]
Just pissss me off really. This whole lets be bet zero carbon free costing us all so much money and we only generate 2% of the total emissions in the world. Meanwhile other countries are at 30% and dont give a crap.

Like 2%!!! Think this is bad, wait until its all electric cars. Who can afford that! And the production of an electric car isn't any less environmentally friendly where are all those lithium barriers going to go when they are used up.

Not to mention the upcoming gas boiler ban and who can afford £8k for an air source heat pump. Most houses aren't even suitable.

Yet time and time again people vote through based on climate change reasons thinking itll never hit them in the pocket.

@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

You've said nothing offensive.

I was paying £222 per month to EDF but apparently it has now gone down to £87 (x 11). I really haven't a clue what that is all about, I just looked at my account online and my estimated bill is £957 pa. I suppose that is reasonable for a three bed semi and I am warm.

What did shock me a week or so ago was a huge bill from Thames Water.

However life goes on.

@Dreamstate
My fav argument is to be environmentally friendly bullshit whilst nobody says anything about the tankers and commercial hauling through freight ships. It is interesting to look up how much unrefined oil they are burning per minute.
So let's ditch the straws, but order anything and everything excessively from amazon and directly china. And most is not even really needed.

My other fav is what you mentioned: electric cars.

1. imagine the power grid bearing xxxx% more loading when ppl get home and plug their cars in. Rolling blackouts here we come. Or ppl living in flats?
2. the west is willingly sacrificing/surrendering self sufficiency. These elements that are needed usually can't be found in Europe. And what if China decides to sell for double price?

Relying too much on outside sources makes you vulnerable (gas pipelines and putin anyone?) and yet we do this. UK, technically, could sustain itself in terms of energy. Instead it is shipped of to god knows where.

I am on a fixed tariff till next year luckily. But I am already turning the heating off and using other options. It’s not just that that is getting more expensive. Everything is. The money has to come from somewhere. And yes the knock on effect of shops etc will happen. I think it is going to be bad

Not to mention the upcoming gas boiler ban and who can afford £8k for an air source heat pump. Most houses aren't even suitable

Gas boilers are to banned in new homes from 2025, not across the board. No one will have to suddenly remove their existing boiler just yet.

@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.

But we did have caps . Did you have caps before ?

@Pinchofnom

The increases won’t place my family in hardship but there are so many it will impact that cannot access the services you describe. Many people are sick with anxiety at the prospect of choosing to feed their family or pay bills. It is utterly heartbreaking.

This Government are a fucking disgrace.

The prices are not dictated by the government. This is not just a uk problem.

...but the government could bear the brunt instead of us.

I guess for a while this will be the new normal. Heating your home will become a luxury. My energy direct debit is just under 10% of my take home pay.

All of this is the worst timing for me personally...this is the year I need to remortgage to try and stay in my house. All my outgoings are shooting up sky high, there's no way I'll be able to do it.

OP sorry to say it sounds like you didn’t realise how much the cost is increasing.

What is the bread and butter thing please?

OP if you are on a variable tariff your tariff will very likely soar from 1st April. There is a chart in the link below which shows the new prices for each region.

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78957887/#Comment_78957887

What about when the demand outweighs the supply at these places OP what will you do then?

Does anyone know how the energy company shareholders are being impacted? Are their dividends going down?

Really it isn't just the utities , the cost of running shops, factories etc are going up sp goods including food.

I can pay but we sit under blankets in an evening to try and reduce costs..

The problem with food banks and various other schemes is that you need to be able to access them. If (like me) you’re physically disabled then a) leaving the house is frequently a problem, let alone carrying anything home.

Food banks deliver in lots of areas. Where are you?