Page 5 | To think the energy increase in April is the last straw.

borderline53 · 2023-02-28T20:21:51+00:00

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.

MarshaBradyo · 01/03/2023 10:05

stripedsox · 01/03/2023 09:30

Those who suggest rioting, try looking up what the word actually means then come back and let us know if you still think it's a good idea.

People post it on mn a lot but chances are they won’t be and have zero intention to. They might expect others to but no thought to actual damage in communities.

Bunnyfuller · 01/03/2023 10:06

Against the background of energy companies’ obscene profits, and the fact that the price of gas has dropped, about a month ago, yet no drop in prices, yes it is fucking unreasonable. I can’t reduce much more! And why should it be on the poorest to reduce energy use? As usual the rich get richer on the backs of the ordinary or poor

Oakbeam · 01/03/2023 10:13

Those who suggest rioting, try looking up what the word actually means then come back and let us know if you still think it's a good idea.

From what I have seen on the news, it has something to do with stealing large televisions.

Ohthebanality · 01/03/2023 10:13

It is in the news that the price cap is falling to £2100 in July? So less than it is now. I thought this was widely known? So prices will rise in April but only for three months. Have I misunderstood something ?

fromdownwest · 01/03/2023 10:16

BMW6 · 28/02/2023 20:35

Surely we all need the incentive to cut down on our energy use because of climate change?

Anyone with these huge bills needs to ask themselves wtf are they using all this energy on?

We are ALL supposed to be using much less to save the planet and your children's futures. Isn't that so?

Keeping a vulnerable relatige warm during the cold months.
Working at home
Cooking for 5 people
It is 2023 - I should not be made to feel guilty for wishing to have modicum of comfort in my life.
Until the BRIC nations make an active step towards reducing polution, what ever we do is like chucking a deck chair of the titanic!

Thingshavegonetoshit · 01/03/2023 10:32

The number of UK children in food poverty nearly doubles in a year to 4m.

^^I read this, this morning and this speaks for itself. We are expecting a big increase in our mortgage rate in April, our bills are rising and we are still trying to work out how we’re going to afford the rise in our mortgage rate. Many people are being pushed further into poverty whilst the government couldn’t give a hoot!

user1471517095 · 01/03/2023 10:40

My thermostat is set at 15°. 15!! We have a stove that burns smokeless fuel (and is allowed in our Local Authority) so we keep the living room door open to warm the house through. But I was only saying yesterday that it's like living in days gone by. Huddled on the sofa in my track suit cuddling the dog to keep warm. And if we dare run a bath my husband gets in after me. We've stepped back to my childhood in the 60's. But not in a good way.

vickibee · 01/03/2023 10:40

Think when people suggest rioting they actually mean peacefully protesting and having a voice. I don’t for one minute think they mean vandalism and disorder

JadeSeahorse · 01/03/2023 10:45

flapjackfairy · 28/02/2023 21:05

@BMW6
2 disabled children who need a warm house to survive and rely on tons of medical equipment is what we spend 500 to 600 a month on so dont be s o judgemental.

It makes my blood boil to hear of these situations. 😡

I'm sorry but why doesn't someone in the Government make it a rule that households of the severely disabled who definitely need the additional energy usage are given a generous monthly allowance to cover same? Charge the flaming energy companies for it!

Families should NOT be expected to foot these ginormous bills!! 😡😡

Crunchymum · 01/03/2023 10:50

Okunevo · 28/02/2023 20:34

Remember it will be on summer bills initially, I've read that the cap could drop to £2500 in July so it may not affect next winter.

I pay monthly and this is still £208 pcm for me which will mean I'll need to use my disabled DC3's DLA to pay for our energy. As I will from April anyway and God knows what ludicrous rate I'll be paying between April - July.

This country is an absolute disgrace, if my child wasn't disabled and in receipt of DLA we'd be on the fucking breadline.

Grumpybutfunny · 01/03/2023 10:52

BMW6 · 28/02/2023 20:35

Surely we all need the incentive to cut down on our energy use because of climate change?

Anyone with these huge bills needs to ask themselves wtf are they using all this energy on?

We are ALL supposed to be using much less to save the planet and your children's futures. Isn't that so?

Normal life! If we didn't have solar panels we would be £300+ a month.

Catspyjamas17 · 01/03/2023 10:53

Anyone with these huge bills needs to ask themselves wtf are they using all this energy on?

Maybe having 5 people in the house? Modern life?

Obviously we use more than two people in a flat. But per person it's lower than some people's usage.

Crunchymum · 01/03/2023 10:57

BMW6 · 28/02/2023 20:35

Surely we all need the incentive to cut down on our energy use because of climate change?

Anyone with these huge bills needs to ask themselves wtf are they using all this energy on?

We are ALL supposed to be using much less to save the planet and your children's futures. Isn't that so?

Are you being purposely obtuse or just being goady?

This has feck all to do with climate change. This has to do with the soaring wholesale energy prices, lack of government action and lack of information for everyday folk to understand how best manager their costs.

People can no longer lock in good deals - they are literally at the will of whatever their provider wants to change them. People are unsure where this is going to end so are agreeing to all sorts of insanely high prices as they are driven by fear and uncertainty.

Crunchymum · 01/03/2023 11:00

Ohthebanality · 01/03/2023 10:13

It is in the news that the price cap is falling to £2100 in July? So less than it is now. I thought this was widely known? So prices will rise in April but only for three months. Have I misunderstood something ?

Even a £2,100 cap means I'll be paying more than I do now (as I won't be getting the discount)

My salary went up by £0 but my energy bills have gone up by £1k over a year? Can someone tell me how this is sustainable?

LastNightWasEpic · 01/03/2023 11:40

We installed solar earlier this year. We are in the fortunate financial position of being able to afford this. It's made a difference already to the bills.

Why isn't the government helping those who can do this, do so. It makes me so mad that they have the ability to do this and chose not to.

MagicCat83 · 01/03/2023 11:45

BigMandysBookClub · 01/03/2023 09:55

Don't get me wrong, I dont think Labour will offer a more hopeful future either right now, but at least when they were in power and apparently overspending (debt to GDP was 60%) they were spending on making peoples lives better, good tax credits for working families and things were reasonable cost and just a general feeling of hope for the future (they failed to deal with housing though and are not addressing it this time either, which is why I won't vote for them).

Under Tories we have debt to GDP now close to 100%, but not much to show for it - failing services, striking workers and staff shortages in the public sector. Childrens services have always been appaling, but i'm waiting for an assessment by a paediatric doctor and I've been told well over a year - my non-verbal son starts school in September. We didn't leave it too late either as the issues were first flagged at 27 months. It has just took a long time and lots of hoops to jump through to get the referral.

COVID money also disappeared down a black hole. It's like they only gave a shit about public health whrn they realised it was an opportunity for them to benefit.

We have had austerity in terms of cuttung back infrastructure and services for this country, but it has not been reflected in our finances as we are in a worse position. There has obviously been lots of wastage and a parasitic drain on public finances some where. I wonder where the money went ....🤔

Show quote history

I don't think you should get your hopes up. You can barely put a cigarette paper between the policies of the parties - and Labour was all about covid lockdown and spending too and I don't see them proposing anything that will really do anything - sure, maybe they buy votes with payrises (funding by increasing the debt more) but that isn't a solution to an awful lot.

I also think that we have been boxed into a corner (as a nation) over about the last generation (by both parties) from which there are now no good solutions. We have high debt and no one seems to have good ideas as to where our productivity and profits will come from. That's what we need - not debt funded payrises and handouts.

MarshaBradyo · 01/03/2023 12:26

MagicCat83 · 01/03/2023 11:45

I don't think you should get your hopes up. You can barely put a cigarette paper between the policies of the parties - and Labour was all about covid lockdown and spending too and I don't see them proposing anything that will really do anything - sure, maybe they buy votes with payrises (funding by increasing the debt more) but that isn't a solution to an awful lot.

I also think that we have been boxed into a corner (as a nation) over about the last generation (by both parties) from which there are now no good solutions. We have high debt and no one seems to have good ideas as to where our productivity and profits will come from. That's what we need - not debt funded payrises and handouts.

Show quote history

I agree with you. Labour make the right noises for votes but they won’t be doing much that makes an impact.

Ohthebanality · 01/03/2023 12:40

Before the price rises I took my energy for granted. I just used as much as I liked and never really gave it a second thought, except when my bill was higher than I thought. I got a smart meter last year, and this is changed completely how I use my energy. Now I am aware of how much everything costs and how much I am using through the day. It has been a big change for me and made me anxious at first. But I have been able to change my behaviour and cut down a lot. I think everyone needs to start doing this more. I don't have a dishwasher, a tumble dryer, I only use my washing machine twice a week usually. I have cut down on time in the shower. I'm sorry but people have taken cheap energy for granted for too long. People own hot tubs, no one needs a hot tub. We do need to start using less energy and less resources overall for the future of the planet and people do need to change their behavior.

WaddleAway · 01/03/2023 12:54

Ohthebanality · 01/03/2023 12:40

Before the price rises I took my energy for granted. I just used as much as I liked and never really gave it a second thought, except when my bill was higher than I thought. I got a smart meter last year, and this is changed completely how I use my energy. Now I am aware of how much everything costs and how much I am using through the day. It has been a big change for me and made me anxious at first. But I have been able to change my behaviour and cut down a lot. I think everyone needs to start doing this more. I don't have a dishwasher, a tumble dryer, I only use my washing machine twice a week usually. I have cut down on time in the shower. I'm sorry but people have taken cheap energy for granted for too long. People own hot tubs, no one needs a hot tub. We do need to start using less energy and less resources overall for the future of the planet and people do need to change their behavior.

As has already been pointed out on this thread, the majority of those struggling are the ones who have already cut down their usage as much as possible but are still paying far much than they used to. Those with hot tubs, running tumble dryers daily etc aren’t the ones struggling with the price rises.
I can’t cut my usage any further due to having to run equipment for my disabled child. What do you suggest I do?

Okunevo · 01/03/2023 12:56

Ohthebanality · 01/03/2023 12:40

Before the price rises I took my energy for granted. I just used as much as I liked and never really gave it a second thought, except when my bill was higher than I thought. I got a smart meter last year, and this is changed completely how I use my energy. Now I am aware of how much everything costs and how much I am using through the day. It has been a big change for me and made me anxious at first. But I have been able to change my behaviour and cut down a lot. I think everyone needs to start doing this more. I don't have a dishwasher, a tumble dryer, I only use my washing machine twice a week usually. I have cut down on time in the shower. I'm sorry but people have taken cheap energy for granted for too long. People own hot tubs, no one needs a hot tub. We do need to start using less energy and less resources overall for the future of the planet and people do need to change their behavior.

How do I cut down from 1100kwh electric and 3500kwh gas a year without risking cold related illness or damp?

EilonwyWithRedGoldHair · 01/03/2023 13:30

xogossipgirlxo · 28/02/2023 20:50

I don’t think those with big usage are bothered by price increase. It will always be those who already keep 18 degrees at home.

Show quote history

17-17.5 here. Usage stats suggest we're not being wildly irresponsible with energy usage. We've not been able to take part in getting money for reducing usage because our usage isn't high enough - we did sign up, but it's impossible to reduce our electric usage by 1kwh when our typical usage in that window is 0.9.

GreyIvy · 01/03/2023 13:31

Ohthebanality · 01/03/2023 12:40

Before the price rises I took my energy for granted. I just used as much as I liked and never really gave it a second thought, except when my bill was higher than I thought. I got a smart meter last year, and this is changed completely how I use my energy. Now I am aware of how much everything costs and how much I am using through the day. It has been a big change for me and made me anxious at first. But I have been able to change my behaviour and cut down a lot. I think everyone needs to start doing this more. I don't have a dishwasher, a tumble dryer, I only use my washing machine twice a week usually. I have cut down on time in the shower. I'm sorry but people have taken cheap energy for granted for too long. People own hot tubs, no one needs a hot tub. We do need to start using less energy and less resources overall for the future of the planet and people do need to change their behavior.

Tone deaf.

I really hope you come back to answer to the multiple posters who use a lot energy because of medical equipment or the elderly person who requires heat to survive! What would you suggest they do?

BrigitteBond · 01/03/2023 13:49

SoCrossAboutThis · 28/02/2023 23:17

But in normal times you build up an excess/profit in summer to use in winter. Danger is this spring/summer people won’t build up that excess.

Show quote history

It works both ways though.

Consider if you'd moved into a new house and got a new supplier on 1st October. Paying a twelfth of your annual usage every month would build up a healthy debt on your account which you'd clear by overpaying in the summer months.

Now extend that thought to your current situation and you could aim to have the balance of your account at £0 by the end of September and then start paying the twelfth of your annual usage monthly as normal.

That shifts the situation from you lending your supplier money to them lending it to you.

It relies on you having control over the amount of your DD of course.

vickibee · 01/03/2023 17:13

I use my wood burner and heat the main room, it’s toasty, a £120 delivery has lasted six weeks. Just use gas for hot water and to air the upstairs

Singularity82 · 01/03/2023 17:16

vickibee · 01/03/2023 17:13

I use my wood burner and heat the main room, it’s toasty, a £120 delivery has lasted six weeks. Just use gas for hot water and to air the upstairs

This is all well and good but isn’t going to help someone living in a high rise council flat.