To think this rebate announced today is a total con

[Viviennemary]

So this so called rebate has to be paid back. It isnt exactly a rebate then is it?

It's £150 council tax rebate in April and then £200 loan in October.

I don’t want a loan or a rebate, I don’t need either
I would rather they help people on low incomes who are struggling

This loan.. is that paid straight to energy companies then? And then I owe the energy company money later?

Mine is a pre-payment meter. How will that work then?

@Meandthesky

It’s a con and it’s relying on prices falling back down quickly. When do prices ever fall quickly once they’ve gone up?!

DH works in the energy industry and there's a well known saying in the industry. Prices rise like a rocket and fall like a feather.

And how will it work if you don't stay with the same energy provider for 5 years? I used to switch annually. Many of them couldn't even get my MPAN number right and the current one constantly asks for meter readings even though I've got a smart meter. How are they going to keep track or which customer at any given time owes what?

@Hoppinggreen

I don’t want a loan or a rebate, I don’t need either I would rather they help people on low incomes who are struggling

I'd quite like the option to spread the loan out a bit personally

Yes I heard this - can someone please explain why only bands a-d. Won't everyone feel the increase whatever band your property is in?

Band D will cover most 3 bed house I would have thought. We're in a higher banded house and while I'm not happy about higher bills we can afford it and have plenty of options for reductions in our discretionary spending. I'll not be worrying about feeding my children vs heating the house unlike many on lower incomes.

The idea is to target lower income families. Of course that doesn't help retired people in large family homes (although I did giggle at the couple on R4 who described their home as a 'modest detached 4 bed') and will presumably give a discount to people living in expensive tiny flats in London who probably don't need it.

is it to help the energy companies

although I did giggle at the couple on R4 who described their home as a 'modest detached 4 bed'

Haha yes I heard him as well.

@bindud

is it to help the energy companies

That's what I thought too. It's not for us really.

I'd quite like the option to spread the loan out a bit personally

That’s understandable. I don’t think they shouldn’t do it, but you should be able to opt out, which we would if we could. We can cover the costs and I’d rather just not do it - seems simpler that way if we don’t actually need it.

@Twillow

Yep. Also unlikely that the Tories will be in long enough to have to deal with it later.

We can dream.

I don't want it but it looks like we are being forced ?

This is just ridiculous now. I don't pay NI, I'm lucky enough not to want or need Sunaks loan. I'm not rich, I'm lucky enough to be comfortable.

What about those not in my position? The single parent on minimum wage for example? I cannot see away I have to forward my loan to someone who needs it more, as I do with my £200 winter fuel payment.

It's just stupid. I know means tested benefits cost a hell lot more than a payment (or in this case a loan) to administer, but still.

That's what I thought too. It's not for us really.

it doesn't make sense

It pisses me off. DH and I are well off. We dont need this "rebate".

I would far, far rather they provided proper support to the lower income people who need it than do something barely worthwhile for everyone!!

It's insulting bollocks. I can't believe people still justify voting for this shit show.

We could really use the rebate but are in a band E house so won't get it. I don't really understand our banding as when I did the valuation thing against 1991 valuations we were slap bang in the middle of band D.

What else is to be expected from the fucking cunts in government?

@OmgIThinkILikeYou
You may be able to challenge your band
www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/council-tax-bands-change/

Still the lemmings will vote Tory and drag us all over the cliff with them

I wouldn't object to the council tax rebate (although would prefer they reconsider the ni increase) but not keen on an unasked for loan from my gas/electricity company that I'm then obliged to repay over a prolonged period! Would hope there will be a way of opting out?

And next winter when people are paying a full bill plus £50, what then?

I don't understand how this will work....I fixed last summer for 2 years. So my bills won't go up at all in April or October, so why on earth would I want £200 off my bill which I then have to pay back when my fix has ended and I'm paying more?!

They're bailing out energy companies and trying to make out they're doing consumers a favour.