Energy don’t pay or what else

[jetadore]

So the “don’t pay” movement seems to be gaining some traction but so does the “just shut up and pay” movement telling us to stop being so naive and how there are ‘much better ways’ to tackle the issue? What are these ‘better ways’ then? Place my faith in the leadership and benevolence of Liz or Rishi?

I remember people refusing to pay (and rioting) over the poll tax, you hear about protest movements in other countries, what about the yellow vests for fucks sake. Here we’re too scared to do anything in case it affects our precious credit scores, make excuses not to demonstrate because we allowed the government to take away our right to protest.

What am I allowed to do then? Wait for people to start going broke or dying, and then tut over the newspaper headlines? Wait for the next election so we can vote in the same bunch of bastards, or Starmer’s diet bastards? Research and publish my proposal for a coherent, long term energy policy since nobody in government can be bothered? Campaign for world peace? Come up with patronising explanations for how the crisis is due to a complex and unfortunate coincidence of geo-political factors and the prevailing economic doctrine which is actually much better than the alternative when you think about it what are you a socialist or something? How long should I wait and see if things magically get better? Is ofgem going to wait to announce the price cap? No, they’re doing it next month. Just enough time to get onto my bank.

I’m fortunate that I could probably afford the projected (can’t wait for the big reveal, so exciting) increase with a bit of belt tightening. But I’m inclined to cancel my payments all the same, if it would put the shits up them. I don’t want to be all “I’m alright jack” while others struggle, nor do I want to be intimidated by the threat of ccj’s and conservative claptrap, so that the Tories and their mates can sit there laughing at us and blathering on about how profit isn’t a crime whilst we all meekly wring our hands and wait in the cold for the invisible hand of the market to come to our aid.

Just feel like is there something I can practically do to make a difference, now, or am I actually powerless?

PS I know there was a thread on this recently there probably have been others since I didn’t find any when I searched though.

I agree with your philosophy OP, we are far too passive in general and have a lot more power than we realise if we act collectively. I think the government will put some help measures in place in an attempt to stop riots but it’s still going to be a tough winter.

Valuable post 🙏

If mine goes up a significant amount I’ll be cancelling my direct debit and paying the bill when it arrives. When you pay by dd you’re paying in advance, they keep your money up front and adjust payment when the bill comes through. By cancelling the dd and paying when the bill is issued you only pay for what you used and you keep the money in your own bank account until it’s due. If everyone cancelled their dd it would make a significant statement to the energy companies without going as far as refusing to pay.

Haven't read through the whole thread but what upsets me is that DH and I are middle earners. Both work and not on benefits but because of this, we won't be entitled to help.

@PasTrop

I can honestly say I've never read something so out of touch and patronising. Talk about tunnel fucking vision.

Your options are totally unfeasible for a multitude of reasons!!

I understand your concern. Nearly everyone is anxious right now as we will all feel the impact of the rocketing prices.

However, hard as it is, it's right that the help should be targeted primarily at the people who need it most. The rest of us may struggle, undoubtedly, but for those on the lowest incomes, this is going to be unimaginably bad. People are going to die this winter if they don't get enough help. It will be a disgrace if the government allows that to happen.

All of us will get £400 to help towards re bills. A drop in the ocean, maybe, but as much as possible needs to go to the very poorest.

My worry is what's going to happen to all of the businesses that struggle to cover their rising costs. If lots go bust and people lose their jobs, the situation is just going to get worse and worse.

Thing is, it’s very possible for low (and middle) incomes to be comparable to benefits, when you start factoring in housing etc.

One group gets support, the other doesn’t, but need is the same. It’s less about need and more about ease/cost of administration, and the unfairness isn’t just perceived, it’s actually unfair, and is going to result in backlash against benefit claimants who are doing nothing wrong.

I couldn’t afford heating before this latest hike. Disabled and have to wfh consequently. Envisaging them finding me frozen to my laptop. Good thing I’ve still got time to snap up a property in France, phew.

Yes, I do agree with this. There shouldn't be a cliff-edge cutoff for support. It should be tapered down as incomes go up.

👏👏👏

Jetadore

Sadly I missed/can’t find your doubtless fascinating explanation as to why don’t pay won’t work, can you repost it please?

Then in addition to being aggressive and stupid, you are also blind!

Have you actually read your own posts back to yourself OP?

The way you address people who are clearly critical of the current government?

Are leas intelligent, more uninformed wannnabe SJW I have never come
across.

Plenty of informative balanced posts are on here with links to what’s happening, what’s being suggested by those who can influence, and what you can do to help yourself, you silly fool

No idea what you were expecting to achieve here, but honestly …

4 you say energy suplliers

5 you say energy companies.

a. who exactly do you mean?
amd b. if you mean the likes of eon socctish power etc, what good is bailing them out as regards world whoesale prices?

unless you mean our gov is going to save the world re wholesale energy price?!

and c. i am going to regret that post arn't I?

everyone else all but, has left the op to it all!

I don’t think there’s any point wasting time trying to explain anything to the OP. Waste of energy!

The OP has no answers because she doesn’t actually know what is going on, nor what she is talking about! I am laughing reading her plan (reminiscent of Hannibal from the A team).

Go on OP - stop paying your bill. Do it.

Won’t change the situation globally re natural gas, but you cancel your £200 a month payment and let’s see where it gets you (other than a higher rate and bad credit).

Knob!

Hello Conservatives HQ

How can you not know what I was expecting it’s right there in the OP, first paragraph?

the “just shut up and pay” movement telling us to stop being so naive and how there are ‘much better ways’ to tackle the issue? What are these ‘better ways’ then?

C’mon, just tell me how I can force the government to help people who can’t afford to pay their bills.

If you don’t know then fine, none of us seem to, but I’m not interested in your endless musings about the energy markets, not to mention your shite patter. Do be sure to go get your pat on the head from the CEO of Scottish Power for being such a clever girl though.

People are pointing out cancelling direct debits isn't the answer because other billing options have a higher cost for the consumer.

The answer to bills going up isn't to voluntarily pay more for the same product.

Well, quite!

😂
A lot informed ‘clever’ if you will you knuxjle-dragging simpleton’

Inciting people to cancel DD and not pay and pay then hope for the best is the worst advice I’ve seen on here for ages.

Educate yourself. You are a silly dangerous plank! And you understand nothing!

Inshallah

If they can lock you in your houses for two years, then they I am pretty sure they can make you pay this increase.

You will do as you are told and be happy.

And as with so much, education is the key to many things.

You are welcome OP!

Now you fuck off, go read a book, anything really, and stop encouraging people to do deeply financially damaging things.

Cancel your DD OP.
Follpw your own advice and report
back.

We’ll be waiting.

I actually have no sympathy for you at all. None.

Don't get me started on that now! That's another thread...

If every single household revolts, I know this won't happen ( it's idealistic) then wtf are the energy companies going to do? Take every single household to court? They would essentially be forced to lower thier prices. The majority would have have to do this and that's never going to happen