What do you think this winter will really be like?

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I've done a bit too much doom scrolling tonight. Our landlord has just put our rent up by 120 pounds due to inflation and our fixed energy bill ends this month. I am starting to grow really concerned on how we are going to manage, as well as society as a whole. So many people are going to be in so much trouble I don't understand why there seems to be no plan!

What do you think this winter will really be like? The catastrophic rolling blackout, schools with 3 day weeks scenario, or do you think the government will do something to fix it. Somewhere in the middle of the two? Societal unrest?

I've never felt so uneasy living in this country before.

Just because people in other parts of the world have it more shit than over here it doesn't mean some people here aren't going to struggle and should feel bad for complaining.

It isn't, though. Not among mining families in the 70s and 80s, not among traveller communities and Northern Irish Catholics, not among Palestinians or Kurds either. Politics is part of everyday life, even for young children.

Politics is part of everyday life, even for young children.

Of course it's part of many peoples live but that doesn't mean most 5 yr olds understand politics/current affairs.

I think the new PM will announce more help but I really don't see how that can just be for those on benefit and the elderly. I think it will have to be more help for everyone. many middle earners have high childcare costs, are helping kids through Uni etc. Everyone will want a slice of the pie.

You remember her crying her heart out when you were 2? And you understood the reasons for that...at 2.

I'm sure you remember your parent crying. No doubt. But there is no way at 2 you understood the reasons and implications.

I think some business' will go under and some people will struggle, but I don't think it will be the catastrophe that the media and some people are making out. Many people will cut back and continue as before and many people will not be affected.

The fuel crisis was a huge deal at the beginning and now its hardly mentioned. There were people saying they couldn't afford to get to work and would sell their cars and yet life goes on as before.

Hedge, this goes far further than the fuel petrol crisis and we still have that don't we.

This is financial Armageddon.

In some ways it's to big to comprehend, in others if Liz truss doesn't pull major concessions out of the bag, she's going to be the shortest pm ever.

People won't and can't survive with high bill's as forcast..

I do think however with a fair and comprehensive package of help people , most, will do all they can go reduce consumption

I'm wondering if we'll see young families moving in with the next generation up, eg couple in their 70s own a small 3 bed but are struggling with the bills, their daughter and her husband and kids are overstretched renting a 3 bed flat and paying the bills, so they all squeeze into the 3-bed house so they can afford to live. Cue problems of overcrowding.

She will give handouts only to the very wealthy. And will not last long as a result. There are plenty of low - middle income earners who vote.

Hoity-toity. Kiss my 🍑

Echo there is over crowding and over crowding.

Moslty I think if people get along and everything is hygienic there is no major problems with intergenerational living at all.

In fact it can be wonderful and beneficial all around.

Esp as. Launch pad.

Really, you have clear memories of the economic situation of the country in 1965 when you were aged 3-4? You must have been a prodigy.

I'm a LL and I can't justify raising rent by £120 pcm. That is outrageous.

But what happens to the wealthy I wonder I live in an affluent area in the SE and it’s easy to forget just how many people have an awful lot of money. This is not like the 70’s. The rich poor divide is shocking here.
I think it’s going to be like a Dickens novel. Lots of poor people grovelling around with miserable jobs earning peanuts and still not being able to afford anything and the wealthy with all the comforts still having a lovely time.
An example. Two of the traditional cafes in town have just closed down whereas the lovely deli (sandwich to go is £7.50) is still doing a roaring trade.

Any Govt needs to move fast....cap prices, scrap all green taxes and vat for a while....like the French....they would be burning down the govt offices if faced with our increases.......I am watching the 8 cafes near me....parade of 15 shops and 8 are yummy mummy type places....i reckon only 2 will survive as big family money behind those ones....millionaires....!

@earsup it makes you wonder if those businesses with money behind them would actually want to stay open, if rates become high enough to the point that there’s no profit then I can see many places opting to mothball until things even out, particularly if they own the premises or seasonal ventures.

None pay business rates as not on main road....all the shops there are exempt...One place also sells wine and other goods....expensive but does a fairly good trade.....time will tell if people can still pay their prices next year...they own the freehold and live above....the other is also a bookshop and wine bar so again has other incomes....they rent the shop but her father is a millionaire retired banker ....none of the 8 have reduced prices....in fact all gone up a little....i walk past but dont go in....its not my crowd ...far too young....!!!!