Is this a fight we should join?

[LoveBeingAWitch]

I've been reading this thread and it reall y does highlight the disgusting difficulties being faced by families this winter.

If it's true that wholesale prices have reduced and energy companies have continued to increase profits as they are not passing on the reductions, how long can we stand for this to happen? Surely being warm shouldn't be a luxury, parents shouldn't have to choose between heat and food?

There are some fantastics tips and advice on the thread, ones that no doubt everyone should follow, but when is enough? Should it be ok for children to have to wear dressing gowns and gloves inside, should families be restricted to one room during the day/evening and even sleeping in one room to stay warm?

It's predicted that we are going to have another horribly cold winter, it might drag on again too. At what point are the government actually going to do something about it? How many people are going to be heating their homes knowing they can't pay for it later?

what are your thoughts? Do you think this is something MN should get involved with? How are you being affected?

What involvement are you proposing? Ie what exactly would MN be asking the Government to do?

A vague "something must be done" campaign isn't really likely to make much difference. A non-political "here are steps we want to see introduced" might be. But what are those steps and, given that point of supply is via private companies, how far is it possible/legal for the Govt to intervene in time for this winter? Are you expecting a short term campaign, or longer term involving legislation?

I don't know what would be workable, but a limit to the profiteering. With such a basic requirement their has to be some responsibility from the energy companies. There will be lots of people who go without and there will be people who can't afford there next bill, with a long winter the bill after that also.

The blue sky ponderings if my mind are completely useless and unworkable . But wanted to know what everyone else thought, and I guess if anyone has a good idea. Maybe restrictions on the level of price above wholesale price? Approval needed for price increases? Max prices? An energy allowance for families, bit like child benefit?

Btw they are not my batty blue sky ideas, these are the more doable

I'm proposing a discussion to see what others think, how they feel and what they think could/should be done, not that justine et al appear on tv today to launch anything.

I don't think it's the governments fault it will be so cold! The human race has survived this long in cold winters!

What do you want? Everyone with a 'child' to be given special treatment?

It's the elderly who die in the cold, not children!

Is that a no then?

Didn't say they died. Although children's health is at risk.

I do think that with everything else going on, with the price of everything going up, where does it stop? There are a significant number if people who won't be able to pay their fuel bills in a couple of months time.

I'm asking if people think it's a good idea not telling.Btw have you read the thread?

Remember the Cold Weather Payment has a children aged 0-5 part, why would that be the case if it's not an issue?

Yeah, read most of the thread, it got a bit 'samey' tho

Well there you go then, cold weather payment 0-5 , so help already exists!

Also, I heard on the radio that our energy prices are actually cheaper than in mant other countries. The problem in Britain is our poorly insulated stone houses.

Most local governmants now have grants to help people better insulate their homes, don't they? (although no help around here for the rubble-filled cavity walls that are common in this area ).

I really think it's just something that we haven't had to deal with for a while, due to mild winters coupled with people feeling they had plenty of cash to spend. We now have cold winters and no cash.

MN could publicise that there is (maybe) financial help from utility companies for people with under-5s as well as elderly and disabled people - though I've heard companies can restrict the help to the first few 1000 applicants now.
Still, it sounds complex and the message about how to apply clearly isn't getting out.

What about a campaign for privately rented accommodation to meet certain standards of insulation? Some LAs require HMOs to be licensed possibly with this as part of it - how about extending that scheme and a deadline of say 5-7 years for all landlords to comply, on the grounds that any landlord should be refurbing their property that often anyway?

just seen this thread and bumping as there is a relevant campaign - No child should be left in the cold by rising fuel bills. Please take action now to support this campaign.