To think the energy increase in April is the last straw.

[borderline53]

Just how the hell are we supposed to cope with this. I’m so stressed with everything. I have grown up kids who I fear for more than anything. Where’s it going to end. Life’s just so bloody hard. Sorry I know it’s the same for us all, I just needed to vent.

Agree. 2 years ago I was paying £40 a month for Gas. I never really have the heating on. Last month it was £198. Still no heating on.

Mental

I'm angry because we've managed to switch to the octopus variable rate which is currently below the energy cap. Why can't everyone be on this? I'm sure there's an answer but I can't fathom it. Our energy prices have dropped by a third.

Im so sick of being cold, I’ve been cold since October. We have the heating on about 2 hours a day. My bills gone up from £150pm to £350pm. I simply cannot cut back further, my hands and toes turn white with the cold sometimes. I cannot pay anymore either 😥

I get the environmental angle, but people have had to cut down to beyond the bare minimum and are suffering from being in a cold, damp house. We have local "warm banks" where people can go just to warm up a bit.

Our heating's on 18 degrees, or 13 overnight and on days when we're all out at school and work. I work from home in a big fluffy hoody and slipper boots. I tried turning the heating down when it's just me at home but my fingers were getting too cold to type.

We have an electric car which DH uses to get to work, so that's £15 every time we charge it. No public transport options available.

Our energy bill is £389 a month. Before the massive increases it was £85.

It’s April when it goes up, maybe people won’t need it on much by then?

Well said

If you mean the tracker tariff, it's not financially viable for them to offer it to everyone.

We lived in a new build and paid £60/£80 for gas and electric. We’ve now moved into a old house and the bill is just over £300. We heat the house to 16 degrees, can’t go any lower with a 2 year old and 3 month old. The house is one of these dreadful ones kindly provided by the Ministry of Defence that we were told we ‘should be grateful for’. I couldn’t have fathomed how people spent so much until we moved into this house!

@NewBootsAndRanty that's a bit shit. And unfair.

Have just gone back and checked usage from 2022. Our usage in April-June was only 25% of the period January-March.

So, while the per kWh cost will go up, the actual bills should still be a lot smaller.

They've got a waiting list going for it, so it's still open to join, there's just a six month queue atm.

Er, peaceful protests?

I genuinely can't reduce my energy use any more. I've even been reading in bed with a little rechargeable lamp that I charge at work (with permission). Rarely have the heating on, use the toaster and air fryer (and eat cold stuff) rather than using my oven.

I have a small one bed flat. My bill is £130 a month which is a full weeks' wage at the moment. (I'm part time due to a a long Covid)

@Singularity82

You sound preachy and it's annoying

I'm becoming more and more cynical about this and it's being used as a stick to beat us with

We've had snow and proper cold in April before!

Yes - but in general, from April / May to September, people tend to use a lot less energy (especially for heating) compared to October - March.

Have you noticed that the solutions are always about us having a lower and lower standard of living?

The solutions are never about big companies making less money or pouring fewer chemicals into rivers. If anything, it all means government gives generous contracts and grants to companies out of our taxes.

Our local water company has more and more days every year where they (for reasons unknown to me) pour raw sewage into the sea and lakes. No one does anything to stop them. Apparently that's all fine for the planet........

@woodhill @MagicCat83

I would go even further and say it is plainly obvious at this point that this is an agenda to lower living standards and beat us all down. Obviously comes from those who will never have to worry about being in our position.

Everyone would do well to remember that government and big business are not necessarily benevolent.

And that even if the UK reached net zero, it would make absolutely no difference globally.

Agreed - same with pay - CEOs got 23% last year - but we are expected to put up with real terms cuts year after year - how come we always have to suck it up?

Ah right, I see your point now. I thought you were against any protest whatsoever.

I do feel things are going to come to a lot of protesting at this rate. People have discussed whether they would protest and I'm surprised at how many would. I think it hasn't happened as nobody is willing to coordinate one.

Moron.

Remember the Uk are responsible for 1% of global emissions. Take this crap somewhere else. Where people are not in a position where it's NEITHER heat or heat

Sorry but I'd your bill is actually that much more you really need to use a lot Less.

But this is Mumsnet where it's acceptable to wash a towel and a sheet after every use, guess what if you want to do that you pay for it.

@MagicCat83

Totally agree with you. I think we should all consume less and protect the environment, but the more it gets shoved down my throat by people who take private jets, eat lots of meat and have an outfit for everyday of the year, then dump sewage in the sea and are happy to support companies in promoting a materialistic lifestyle, the more I think it's bullshit and about extracting wealth from people and controlling them.

I will still try to consume less, but it won't be because some billionaire twat tells me to.

Oh get lost. Use it on heating our homes, feeding our children and having hot water to have showers so we are clean.

I work very hard so why should I not have those things. Global Warming is an issue yes, but say it the ones causing it.

My bill has trippled and using same amount.

This! Couldn't agree more.