To wonder how people will financially survive?

[Cupcakeicecream]

To think that many people are struggling already. Food price rises, gas and electric costs. The general cost of living due to inflation from either brexit since the pandemic and Ukraine war. But come on some people were struggling before any of those factors. Financially people will be pushed to breaking christmas will be off the cards general life will stagnate no meals out leisure activities cinema socialising new clothes treat foods. The threat of blackouts and wondering how we will pay bills to keep warm or keep a house running. Never mind buying food the price of it plus the large gaps on shelves. Winter will be miserable. It's becoming impossible to live in this country.

It's lovely for you if you can be completely unconcerned about the financial lockdown, but it's going to have a big impact on our country.

Yes it is, although I wouldn’t use that phrase again after last time, my initial post was to say the money is for everyone to get £400 off. To pay it to everyone there needs to be an easy and instant system to do it - off actual bills is a quick way to do it as other systems won’t be in place.

I’m not making any points about hardship etc just that you seemed to have missed that part.

Businesses don’t have caps at all and that is concerning, over and above consumer bills.

It’s a shame you are seeing it as more than it is and resorting to insults which are not needed - it’s simply a post re some money off for everyone not the initial assumption

I think the UK is in for some tough times. The world is in general with conflicts and climate issues causing millions and millions of people to be at risk of famine.

The UK only produces around 65% of its own food consumption and around 85% of its own energy consumption. Feels like a vulnerable place to be in these times.

I feel like I am spamming every thread on this issue but we should not be just throwing out hands in the air and allow our pockets to be emptied by people who have too much money anyhow.
www.mumsnet.com/talk/ninety_days_only/4620110-idea-for-making-energy-price-raises-irrelevant?reply=119540360

It is like rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic. Energy prices are unaffordable for most and more than some people’s income. And that is not even taking into account the overall impact on the economy. I can’t believe the number of posts about tips on not using heating when the discussion should be how to force the government to act. Why are we putting up with this?

In GDP per capita, the UK's somewhere between 25th and 28th, depending on the institution (IMF, World Bank, UN, etc.).

According to the IMF, in 2022 Ireland has a per capita GDP of over $100,000 (equivalent). The United States has about $76,000. The UK, in contrast, has under $50,000.

Per capita, it's a lot poorer than you might think. There's just relative wealth with a very high population.

A LOT of us were struggling a year ago.... there simply is nowhere to cut costs how do we cut from one shower a WEEK each, wearing same clothes for two weeks at a time, turning everything off including fridge at night, eating once per day and that not always more than 2 slices of bread as a sandwich?...............................I am not sure I can find the cash to get us to work and school in two weeks

I'm glad I ignored all those scare stories about wood burners now and got one fitted. We live behind a wood so that helps. I'm making draft excluders. I worry about children. I saw a girl yesterday with her dad. She looked so thin and her clothes were dishevelled.

Whoever voted these bastards in needs to take a long hard look at themselves & feel very guilty for the rest of their lives. The Tories don't give a shit about the ordinary people as long as they can keep their rich mates happy & keep on getting their backhanders from them.

Seriously? A heck of a lot of people are in the same shoes I am in, and have been since covid started..... we made our cut backs and cancelled xmas a couple of years ago, income has dropped to half and essential unavoidable bills have more than quadrupled, BEFORE this next hike starts. Choose not to believe it if you will but sadly history will look back and hang its head in shame

There isn't a lot to choose from. I really wish we could have a genuine government who cared for the people and got its priorities right. Are the figures from the treasury ever published? I would like to know exactly where are taxes are spent - income tax, vat, motoring taxes and stealth tax (on insurance) AND the cheeky inheritance tax when we die. Most people have earnt their income and paid tax on it, I hate death duties, it is a double tax.

Exactly and if I was living in a HMO with 8 other people (arguably in more need), each person would only get £50 benefit.

Electricity and gas bills in house shares I have lived in have always been very expensive.

It won't be the majority though, because, again, those predictions are still based on a) the average family - average by very definition can't also be the majority AND those on a fix whose bills won't increase also won't be included

Some people won't see bills of £600 a month, but there will be a lot of people who will be paying more than that figure. Even those on fixed deals, if a recent fix, will still be paying a lot more for their gas/electric than back in March.

The Government is going to make Water companies sort out the pumping of sewage into rivers and the sea, by raising our water bills, an issue they have had 33 years to sort out !

I appreciate that the predicted water bill rises are predicted to be nowhere as astronomical as energy price increases, but I still find it galling.

Why can't we just renationalise them?

The market hasn't worked.

How old does my child have to be to get an after school/weekend job? I worked after school in a green grocers at 13 for £5 and a bag of fruit. I loved earning my own bit of money.

It’s at least 16 these days for insurance purposes but honestly the last thing you want to do is encourage your child to go to work for their own money because unfortunately they get a little taste for it and then suddenly they don’t want to do a levels or don’t see the point of school which even if they don’t go to university they still need to study to get their qualifications otherwise frankly working in a greengrocers for a fiver will be as much as they ever manage in life .

The sewage issue is awful isn’t it

They’d better sort it and the leaks too

I think it works out that in January, people in an avg house will need to put £50 on the prepayment meters every 3/4 days. How can they?

Hmm, it didn't stop me. In fact it gave me a thirst for independence, I did 4 A levels and a degree, always had 2 or 3 jobs on the side too. I've literally never been out of work since age 13.

I was speaking to a friend yesterday, she is a single parent who works full time on a decent wage. She's struggling to make ends meet and has turned the hot water off. It only goes on when the kids need to shower. Cold showers for mum. No hot water for hand washing. The heating won't come on until it hits 15 degrees. This is a middle earning household.

I'm so glad you wrote this! I stress about it every day (well I try to reign it in but ...) and when I try to talk to friends about this they seem to be either oblivious or in denial/deliberately nit watching the news. I earn a good living but a lot of people rely on me (on my wage). My No.1. Worry at the moment: the blackouts. If they happen how will I keep my newborn warm and alive (due February). I worked so hard to get to where I am, basics dragging me and my family out of poverty. And for what. Back where I started, no electricity, no heating and only the next meal is sure but what will be after that...

Same! The libraries are already underfunded and are such a safe place for many who can’t afford to heat their home or who are lonely.

wrong on several fronts, you can work before 16 but limited roles and hours and no, earning does not encourage children to stop learning. What an odd post. Much better for them to understand how to earn and manage money from an early age.

Haven't you listened to any government ministers on the television?

People's energy usage is a matter of personal choice.

You can choose not to have the heating, lights ,hot water or internet on. You can choose not to cook meals for your children, you can choose to give them cold showers or no showers or baths at all. You can choose not to put the washing machine on and wash their clothes in the bath water from the baths you're not having.

Personal choice isn't it?