Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Death due to rising energy costs

34 replies

energycrisis · 02/04/2022 07:57

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/first-picture-frank-burton-91-23567930

I find this disgusting and needed to share here, this happened 20 minutes up the road from me.

A 91-year-old man has died in a gas explosion at his home.

Cadent have today released a statement saying the mains gas in this man's home and the area is 'sound'.

The man's family have come forward to explain he was so worried about rising energy cost that he purchased extra heaters for his home and this is likely where the explosion has come from.

AIBU that this should not be happening?

I am not really sure what the point of posting this is, I just really felt the need to share this man's story.

OP posts:

LndnGrl · 02/04/2022 08:06

It's disgusting. The panic people are feeling and the strain they are being put under is totally avoidable if the government would help.

But unfortunately I suspect there will be a lot more deaths to come due to hypothermia.

LadyCatStark · 02/04/2022 08:08

Sadly, there will be a lot more due to cold and suicide, especially next winter. It’s a disgrace.

Original poster

energycrisis · 02/04/2022 08:08

I agree @LndnGrl this is just the beginning and there will be many more deaths to come, I am just so angry that a 91 year old had to resort to this! It feels like we have gone back in time somehow!

OP posts:

MintyMoocow · 02/04/2022 08:11

I’m intrigued as to where you think the government will get the money from. Are you prepared to accept tax rises?

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 02/04/2022 08:15

It's horrendous but surely the fault is with the manufacturer of the heaters?

I mean, yes, people shouldn't be in the position of panicking and going without heating but I fail to see how a gas explosion due to unsafe kit is the governments fault?

QueenofDestruction · 02/04/2022 08:16

I agree its awful and the elderly need more support BUT that money has to come from somewher so either tax increases or highr coets for gas for non subsidised households Fuel costs have substantially increased .worldwide.

Alexandra2001 · 02/04/2022 08:21

@MintyMoocow

I’m intrigued as to where you think the government will get the money from. Are you prepared to accept tax rises?

Oil/energy companies have made 10s of billions in unexpected profit, France taxed EDF an extra 9 billion euros and restricted increases to 4% - electricity and 14% for Gas.

Johnson cut 5 billion from fuel duty (most of which isn't being passed on) cut VAT from Solar and gives a 5k grant to folk who want a heat pump....

He also has enough to cut income tax (just before a GE)

Sunak is also making billions by not increasing loan thresholds.

Its all about choices.

Original poster

energycrisis · 02/04/2022 08:22

I wrote a post re taxes then saw @Alexandra2001's (more eloquent) post, so basically what she said!

OP posts:

Kukdoos · 02/04/2022 08:24

I’m intrigued as to where you think the government will get the money from. Are you prepared to accept tax rises?
The same place they manage to find the money from to keep giving themselves payrises and paying all their expenses, particularly on their 2nd homes.

Or perhaps the millions (or is it billions?) they managed to spunk on the covid trace system, or maybe the money given to people like matt handjobs pub landlord for ppe?

They can find that elusive money tree when it suits them or when it's going to line their pockets.

Original poster

energycrisis · 02/04/2022 08:25

@fairylightsandwaxmelts of course I agree it is the manufactures fault if the equipment was unsafe, although I don't think it has been said that this is the case (it could have been the fuel wasn't stored properly etc) but I stand by the fact that ordinary, hard working people of this country should not be this scared about how they will heat their home.

OP posts:

EmmaGrundyForPM · 02/04/2022 08:28

9000 people in England and Wales died due to cold last year. Sadly I suspect it will be at least double that in the next year.

Mamamia7962 · 02/04/2022 08:28

Whilst I think it is very sad that a 91 year old died in the gas explosion, the cause of the explosion at the moment is just speculation.

lollipoprainbow · 02/04/2022 08:29

Also the government can manage to send billions abroad, how about helping our own first ?? Disgusting but this is only the tip of the iceberg.

AllOfUsAreDead · 02/04/2022 08:34

@MintyMoocow

I’m intrigued as to where you think the government will get the money from. Are you prepared to accept tax rises?

I am, tax the rich more. Especially the tories, should have an extra special tax for those bastards. Let's see how Johnson, sunak and the rest cope when they get taxed 99%.

They have plenty of options, but they'd rather see other people suffer. I'd rather see them suffer.

InkySquid · 02/04/2022 08:34

I'm sure people will die as a result of rising energy costs. I'm not sure the family's statement makes sense though, why would someone worried about energy costs go out and purchase additional heaters (cost) which no doubt cost more to run than any sort of mains supply

Alexandra2001 · 02/04/2022 08:36

@lollipoprainbow

Also the government can manage to send billions abroad, how about helping our own first ?? Disgusting but this is only the tip of the iceberg.

5th richest country in the world can do both & as GDP has dropped, we are cutting foreign aid.

The 1% cut in income tax will cost the Govt £5 billion, thats money that will also go to the better off and will be paid for by higher council taxes and even worse council services, which proportionately effect the poor more.

Its also in our own best interests to help poor countries, as that grows their economies, people less likely to migrate (and come to Europe/UK) and we can export to them as they become more prosperous.
Though sending FA is stupid, India is well off & no ally to the UK.

slashlover · 02/04/2022 08:38

@Mamamia7962

Whilst I think it is very sad that a 91 year old died in the gas explosion, the cause of the explosion at the moment is just speculation.

That article has a lot of "he may have" and "it's possible that". Nobody has confirmed that he bought anything yet.

Ellmau · 02/04/2022 08:38

Dementia? Perhaps didn't grasp that both gas and electricity are going up massively?

HateNosyNeighbours · 02/04/2022 08:39

@MintyMoocow

I’m intrigued as to where you think the government will get the money from. Are you prepared to accept tax rises?

Maybe by actually chasing the £4.3 billion fraudulently claimed covid loans, instead of writing them off?

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 02/04/2022 08:39

[quote energycrisis]@fairylightsandwaxmelts of course I agree it is the manufactures fault if the equipment was unsafe, although I don't think it has been said that this is the case (it could have been the fuel wasn't stored properly etc) but I stand by the fact that ordinary, hard working people of this country should not be this scared about how they will heat their home. [/quote]
Of course - and I haven't said otherwise.

But I also don't think it's fair to say this particular death is the fault of the government.

It's not their fault there was an equipment or storage issue that led to an explosion (as the man's brother is saying seems to be the case).

Neverendingdust · 02/04/2022 09:08

People will be taking to the streets when they see their next bills, so many people are going to be unbelievably screwed.

AllOfUsAreDead · 02/04/2022 09:10

@Neverendingdust

People will be taking to the streets when they see their next bills, so many people are going to be unbelievably screwed.

Nope, they'll vote the tories back in again.

emuloc · 02/04/2022 09:32

@lollipoprainbow

Also the government can manage to send billions abroad, how about helping our own first ?? Disgusting but this is only the tip of the iceberg.

The Government should be sending to foreign aid. They cut how much they were giving, which is disgraceful imo.

emuloc · 02/04/2022 09:34

@Neverendingdust

People will be taking to the streets when they see their next bills, so many people are going to be unbelievably screwed.

I doubt it. I wonder what it will take for the majority to rise up against the Government. People would rather starve.

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 02/04/2022 09:36

I read the article, there's no confirmation on what caused the explosion as yet. If he was 91 it could be as simple as he'd left the gas on and something caused a spark, or a faulty appliance. Neither of which are due to the government.

Flip

1 2