Surely they can’t expect us to pay 240 per month for power!

[Ellie198712]

Just read Martin Lewis’s latest email and it’s predicting average bills of £2900 per year!! Surely the government will need to step in and subsidise this cost. Our current bill is about 100 per month, and this just seems untenable for the vast majority

The cost of heating oil today is £980 for 500L. We use that amount over 8 weeks in winter. Then another £240 for electric would bankrupt us.

I was listening to something on lbc earlier, I didn't fully understand it but to me it sounded like that's with the government already substantially subsidising it.

Yep I don't understand how the poor, those of us on minimum wage etc, who live from month to month can handle this increase. I just don't understand. It's millions of us!

Not unreasonable to worry how we'll cope. But sadly very unreasonable to think that the government care enough to do anything about it.

Erm, but if the government subsidies the people who pays? The tax payer. Who is the tax payer? The people!!

Our current payment is £232 per month.. Not looking forward to next month or Oct!

Our combined electricity and gas bill is already £240 a month.

Our bill has just gone from £208 to £280. It's scary to think how much higher it's going to go.

I genuinely don’t know how people are going to afford it ☹️ We both have okay incomes but this will push us. Can’t even imagine what it’s like to have to already try and make ends meet and now this!

I don't understand - forgive me if I am thick - but with Shell and others announcing BILLIONS AND BILLIONS in profit - why can't they be allowed to absorb the price rise?????

"They" don't set the price if fuel, it's all market forces and private businesses. I don't know how people are expected to find it, but they will be.

The government is already subsidising it, and the energy companies are already swallowing huge costs. The cost of energy has massively increased. I’m really not sure what the solution is, but agree it’s going to be difficult for so many people. Our standard of living is going to take a big hit.

PS my electric is 250 a month at the moment... don't have gas or any other heating. I'm having panic attacks working out what it will be

What will happen if people can’t pay their bill? Will they have to agree a payment plan with their supplier? Or will they be looking at debt collectors at their door and their supply cut off?
I just can’t see how some people are going to manage.

@Blossomtoes

Our combined electricity and gas bill is already £240 a month.

Yep same here. Looks like summer bills will now be similar to old winter bills and next winter we'll just have to embrace hypothermia. It's insane. My fix ends at the end of the month and heating will be going off whatever the weather.

Our work bill will be going up by £500 a month so this will be passed on to our customers, as we are barely breaking even after covid. This is going to be the same for every single business that uses energy.

So not only will we not be able to pay for heating and lighting we won't be able to buy anything. This is the single most scared I've been about rising costs and I'm no spring chicken.

We're all going to have to get used to using a lot less I think. Not sustainable to carry on as we are for the near future at least, unfortunately.

I’m moving house soon and the electricity companies are wanting £600 a month dd!
On the price cap it will be £300 a month as it’s air source heat pump. DH has volunteered to keep the fire lit constantly and buy each child a torch!
Jokin aside it’s a huge chunk of money and god knows what next autumn will bring

I can’t believe how it’s just been ‘accepted’. How are people going to manage?

I’m on sick leave from work with breast cancer, I have no idea when I’ll be well enough to go back to work. I already pay £177 per month and EDF have advised me my bill is estimated to increase by £980 per year I’m worried sick. I already sit without the heating on, just blankets and a hot water bottle during the day. I don’t know what I’m
going to do 😭

What if people just don't pay it because they can't afford to? Will they get cut off?

£240 a month is equal to our sky tv and mobile phone costs

so its a choice we will need to make

No idea OP. I earn an ok ish wage (pretty bang on national average) and we will be pushed to breaking point, with this plus the cost of food going through the roof. Must be terrifying for people on NMW or UC.

And what about hospitals and prisons and schools, where does the money to pay for there heating come from? I am so fucking cross.

A lot of small businesses will go bust, people just won’t have the disposable income

@Waxonwaxoff0

What if people just don't pay it because they can't afford to? Will they get cut off?

you will be pursued through debt collection and ruin credit ratings

and they can fit a pre payment meter