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Original poster

To be completely horrified by gas and electric increase?

88 replies

Lex345 · 03/04/2022 11:39

I know I should have been expecting it, but this is going to be crippling! Our fixed term ran out in January, was advised to stay on flexi tariff (our bill to fix would have doubled to fix in any case, which I cant afford). We have a smart meter. Our daily usage in winter with heating was maximum £5 a day, even on really cold days with heating on for a good portion of the day. That is with 3 teens using electronics at some point too. Yesterday, no heating on at all and it was £5.50 when i went to bed. I have been around the house and turned everything off I can. Got up at 6am and was on 97p usage already (used to be approx 50p). No heating on. TV hasnt been on. No electronics on. Used oven for 30 mins this am. Currently at £2.50 already. I want to cry :(

OP posts:
Comedycook · 03/04/2022 11:41

It's shocking isn't it. I'm appalled that more isn't being done.

Original poster
Lex345 · 03/04/2022 11:43

It really is, I am not sure what else I can do. Literally sat here worried about turning anything on.

OP posts:
AchillesPoirot · 03/04/2022 11:43

What are you cooking in the oven in the morning? Could you plan that when the oven goes on, it goes on with extra things in it or use a slow cooker?

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 03/04/2022 11:44

I'm not sure horrified is the right word as we've known for months that this was coming so not a shock but concerned, stressed, worried are all reasonable reactions imo

Your morning increase is going to be due to the increased standing charge which is probably added overnight

There are loads of threads with suggestions on how to cut back, in fact there's a very long one running at the moment so you could look at all of those for some ideas

It's going to be very tough for very many families.

Original poster
Lex345 · 03/04/2022 11:45

My daughter was making her friends some brownies for her birthday because I cant afford to buy presents. And it gives off a bit of heat so at least it warms downstairs a bit too

OP posts:
Jaxhog · 03/04/2022 11:46

It's very scary. But would you suggest can be done? If the government takes action, they'll have to get the money from somewhere else. There isn't a money tree!

Original poster
Lex345 · 03/04/2022 11:47

I havent got any answers at all, its just been a bit of a shock.

OP posts:
MiddleParking · 03/04/2022 11:53

@Jaxhog

It's very scary. But would you suggest can be done? If the government takes action, they'll have to get the money from somewhere else. There isn't a money tree!
Horseshit. There’s a money tree when it suits them.
LardyDee · 03/04/2022 12:01

The answer I think is better redistribution, which means a Labour government at the next election.

itsgettingweird · 03/04/2022 12:15

@Jaxhog

It's very scary. But would you suggest can be done? If the government takes action, they'll have to get the money from somewhere else. There isn't a money tree!
They had a money tree worth billions that's seeded their friends harden during a pandemic.

There is money - they don't use it properly.

MrsSkylerWhite · 03/04/2022 12:18

Lex345

My daughter was making her friends some brownies for her birthday because I cant afford to buy presents. And it gives off a bit of heat so at least it warms downstairs a bit too“

Future reference, Lidl bakery brownies are lovely and good enough for gifts. Gave my mum half a dozen in cellophane, recycled ribbon. She loves brownies, was delighted, thought I’d baked them 😬

Thedogscollar · 03/04/2022 12:19

@MiddleParking
This is spot on. Of course they could help but then their cronies won't make as much money.
The Tories couldn't give a damn about it. Rishi giving us £200 to be paid back over 5 years. Jeez thanks Rishi Mr multi millionaire a real man of the people.

Comedycook · 03/04/2022 12:20

There isn't a money tree!

Yet they expect ordinary people to have one Hmm

BluebellsGreenbells · 03/04/2022 12:23

Now think about it in terms of shops and food processing plants or any other business that require electricity. We’ll be paying their bills as well.

Kittykat93 · 03/04/2022 12:32

I've emailed my local mp this morning regarding increasing costs of living, most likely won't do shit but at least I feel I've done something. We need to put pressure on those in power. It's simply not sustainable 😔

SpinningTheSeedsOfLove · 03/04/2022 12:35

@Jaxhog

It's very scary. But would you suggest can be done? If the government takes action, they'll have to get the money from somewhere else. There isn't a money tree!
Oh give over
SaxendaSummer · 03/04/2022 12:40

well i don't know what people expect the government to do as this isn't a one off...its for the foreseeable future

ClaudineClare · 03/04/2022 12:41

[quote JackieWeaverHandforthCouncil]www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/apr/03/sunaks-5m-santa-monica-flat-offers-sun-sea-and-a-pet-spa[/quote]
Bloody hell. How the other half (or 1%) live, eh.

loopylindi · 03/04/2022 12:43

@BluebellsGreenbells

Now think about it in terms of shops and food processing plants or any other business that require electricity. We’ll be paying their bills as well.
Of course we will. It has always been so. Companies don't make and sell products out of altruism. They hope to make some kind of profit. Yes, the pandemic enabled lots of people to make money from scams and cronyism, but equally the NHS needed PPE at a time when there wasn't enough to go round (supply and demand), people got furloughed from their job (who was going to pay for that), now we've got a situation where due to globalisation, production subsidies, supply chain problems and over dependence on large scale food production - and of course, international politics and conflict, we have a supply and demand situation again. For years we've been told to avoid products with Palm Oil (to protect the environment!! but that's too late cos forests have already been destroyed to plant the acres and acres of plants) So we did, manufacturers changed to sunflower oil now that's in short supply - so what next. The food producers have to reformulate products as different oils have different properties - so it's not just a case of swapping one for another as it would be at home. All of this needs paying for - so if you don't like it, don't buy ready made food
ClaudineClare · 03/04/2022 12:46

@SaxendaSummer

well i don't know what people expect the government to do as this isn't a one off...its for the foreseeable future
Windfall tax on energy companies.

Renationalise the energy companies.

Increase income tax for higher rate tax payers.

Align Capital Gains Tax rates with Income Tax rates.

NoOtherShadeOfBlue · 03/04/2022 12:46

How on earth does anyone think they can get away with the magic money tree line since Theresa May used it and then promptly found A BILLION POUNDS to give to the DUP to keep herself in power. We know there is a fucking money tree or rather that the Tory government will always, always have enough money to shore up their own interests while happily letting poor people starve and freeze. How dare anyone suggest there isn't enough money to prevent this?

BluebellsGreenbells · 03/04/2022 12:46

All of this needs paying for - so if you don't like it, don't buy ready made food

But all the food is ‘ready made’ isn’t it? Carrots don’t just appear on shelves. Grown harvest, washed, boxed,shipped, stored, stacked, what do you think we should do?

Floralnomad · 03/04/2022 12:46

A Halogen convection oven ( table top thing ) must be cheaper than using the oven , they can be purchased for £40 . I’ve been using one for years and unless I’m doing a particularly large joint or a lot of buffet type food that all needs cooking at the same time I never use my main oven .

WTAFFF · 03/04/2022 12:47

It’s not about a magic money tree in my opinion. It’s taking steps to protect a population from companies which are making billions in profits.

How has France managed to keep their energy price rises at a minimal level?