To think tiered electricity prices might work ?

[secrethedgehog]

I saw a suggestion today that a way forward with rising energy prices might be to give every household an allowance ( based on number occupants ?) of x units of energy at a subsidised price. Any units used over that price would then be more expensive, a little more than predicted now, to help finance the reduced price units.
This way the least well off can have at least a minimal amount of heating and power to cook etc without worrying about horrendous bills.
Anyone wanting to use more, and can afford to do so, is then helping to subsidise the price for those less able to pay .
Seems to allow an element of choice whilst encouraging less energy use and therefore having green credentials
Sure there are flaws but seem to be some advantages too ?

My understanding is that it is usually much more expensive to implement any system like this with exemptions etc than it is to just give everyone some money.

As a rough idea it's interesting, but pps have already brought up issues where your energy consumption is not always directly correlating with your ability to pay for it, and adding all those in as exemptions etc or increasing the complexity is going to be a huge expensive hassle and vulnerable to exploitation.

Tiered energy prices might work in theory, but not in practice. Poor insulation and windows I am sure up the cost of heating, and then there are those with medical conditions, older people, for example.

Won't work.

Conservative voters won't subsidise the poor more than they do already.

I'm in the same boat as you. I have 2 cancers and a host of autoimmune conditions. If I get cold Im in so much pain that I cant move .
Our income is £50 per month over the threshold for income related benefits because my husband who is in his 70's still works part time to make ends meet and keep his mind and body active. That £50 goes into savings to replace my wheelchair because im not in it full time yet I'm not entitled to a nhs one.

I get full rate pip ongoing because I'm not going to recover or get any better, I'm doubly incontinent so the washer and dryer are on twice per day, I use a stair lift and a rise and recline chair, I have to charge my wheelchair, I need regular showers.
Out of all the things listed above, what should I cut down on?

In effect, this is exactly what the £400 is doing (but with less admin and per household rather than person). Energy companies are refunding £66 pcm over six months, so in effect everyone is getting the first x number of units free, before paying the price cap rates.

I've not worked out what the x number of units is!

I've not worked out what the x number of units is!

If you allocate £200 to Oct-Dec (and those prices) and £200 to Jan - Mar (and those predicted prices), it works out as 640 electricity kwh free.

It's fewer and fewer units each time the price goes up.

I think a fairer way is the government subsidise it- keep the cap as it currently is and recoup it through income tax.

Why should taxpayers pay for others electricity? Why should I shower at work have bothered to go on a long term fixed tarrif last year when it was obvious to anyone with an ounce of common sense where energy prices were going. Why did I bother spending money on solar panels and insulation if the state will just bail you out with subsidy at great future expense. I won't bother trying to do the right thing next time and instead suckle on the teat of the state. Personal responsibility is long gone.

Because the prices are unlike anything we've ever had before in history. It's not bailing out the poor or feckless, it's rebalancing the economy which will slide into long depression.

Why did I bother spending money on solar panels and insulation if the state will just bail you out with subsidy at great future expense

And oh, well done you. What do you want, a fucking biscuit for being well off? Count yourself lucky.

I'm relatively well off, for what it's worth and still think the state should intervene, and realise I will probably end up paying for that in some way. Because I'm not a right wing I'm all right jack fucking twat and acknowledge that good fortune played a part in where I am today, even though I came from a very ordinary working class background and not from privilege.

I haven't had a foreign holiday and don't feel financially well off enough to have children. I come from a working class background a worked to where I am. I am a huge net taxpayer I don't wish to subsidize any more.

FreddyHG
Looking at your comment on the Statement made by Ukrainian First Lady thread (with her urging Britons to keep up support despite cost of living crisis) you are fine with taxpayers money going to subsidize the Ukraine but not to people in the UK who will find it hard to heat their houses this winter which will include the squeezed middle not just the people on benefits (who you say suckle at the teat of the state) who you seem to have disdain for?

You literally said This thread shows me modern Brits are just so self centered (especially the Mumsnet ones) lol really your comment compared to this one I won't bother trying to do the right thing next time and instead suckle on the teat of the state 😂