MSE News: More help urged over fuel poverty

Former_MSE_Guy · 4 January 2012 at 10:38AM

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

Read the full story:
More help urged over fuel poverty

WestonDave · 4 January 2012 at 11:11AM

Trouble is - with the Government not putting any money into the scheme, the burden of providing more funds for more help will ultimately fall on the remaining customers of the energy companies via increased tariff rates. To a certain extent this backfires because the rates will go up for everyone including those getting the grant. It also risks pulling the next tier of people into difficulties because of the new higher tariffs. We need to do more work to understand why these 800,000 people are in this particular situation where others on similar levels of benefits etc are not. For example if it is because a single elderly person is living in a huge house with corresponding heating costs, an alternative solution is to find them more suitable housing.

Cardew · 4 January 2012 at 11:14AM

The 'social tariffs' provided by the Utility companies, are simply funded by a cross-subsidy from other gas and electricity customers; it doesn't come from their profits.

Provided all companies provided funds in equal proportion, it wouldn't concern the companies if the monies allocated to 'social tariffs' were doubled, tripled or increased x fold - except the companies would get blamed for the increased prices.

If Families cannot afford gas and electricty bills, it is a Government issue to address with increased social security payments paid for from taxation, not slope shoulders and pass the buck to other customers - many of whom are little better off than those on social tariffs.

It is disingenuous for Save the Children to blame the Utility companies simply because they are unpopular and an easy target - what they are in effect saying is that all electricty and gas customers should have higher bills.

HalloweenJack · 4 January 2012 at 11:19AM

or the government should properly help with targetted social security - and not hand out benefits for those who dont deserve them - like those awaiting deportation getting £200 for gas and electric this winter (till feb) in the form of a key , whereas the eldery get sweet sod all.

anguk · 4 January 2012 at 1:08PM

Gas and electric should be affordable for all, it's not just people on benefits who are struggling to heat their homes many working people can't afford their energy bills. It's getting to the point now with price rises and pay freezes where people can't afford basic things like food and heat, some struggle paying for water too.

Cardew · 4 January 2012 at 2:44PM

anguk wrote: »

Gas and electric should be affordable for all, it's not just people on benefits who are struggling to heat their homes many working people can't afford their energy bills. It's getting to the point now with price rises and pay freezes where people can't afford basic things like food and heat, some struggle paying for water too.

Exactly the point. If Save the Children's policy is adopted those people not on benefits will pay even more for their gas and electricity.

working · 4 January 2012 at 3:06PM

Its No Child Left In The Cold campaign is calling on energy companies and the Government to fill this funding gap, so all families eligible for the fuel discount receive it.

What part of "there is no money left" do these people not understand?

People on out-of-work benefits with young children already get cold weather payments. Workers struggle with fuel bills too.

How about lowering bills for everybody eh?

bluenose1 · 4 January 2012 at 9:24PM

working wrote: »

What part of "there is no money left" do these people not understand?

People on out-of-work benefits with young children already get cold weather payments. Workers struggle with fuel bills too.

How about lowering bills for everybody eh?

Of course there is money left, trouble is instead of helping those in fuel poverty -working or not, they prefer to carry on letting the big corporations avoid tax etc. If the government bothered to curb tax evasion that would raise billions and they could afford to help those in fuel poverty and more besides.
But as usual we get spun the lie that there is no option but to cut benefits etc for the poor. Makes me sick.

hallmark · 5 January 2012 at 10:46PM

HIGH time we dropped the ridiculous expression "fuel poverty".

There is no such thing as fuel poverty. There is poverty. Those in it struggle to pay for various things one of which may be fuel.

"Fuel poverty" is a pathetic term coined for political means.

energysavingexp · 5 January 2012 at 11:19PM

for what its worth im 47 ive got cancer and had it for the last 2 years ive worked all my life payed taxes exc
and because ive missed paying my stamp for 2 years in not in titled to any help at all ive got a small pension that i have to live on so i have to cut down on every thing gas water leccy and ive got quite good at it dont put heating on less it gets less thah 8-9c it would be different if i had children or i was new to this country then i could get beniffits.
to tell you the truth if you are in need of help cut down on the things you can do with out
i have and leared you an get by on very little
i dont go out
i dont spend money on things that are not importent

Mr_Ted · 5 January 2012 at 11:32PM

energysavingexp wrote: »

for what its worth im 47 ive got cancer and had it for the last 2 years ive worked all my life payed taxes exc
and because ive missed paying my stamp for 2 years in not in titled to any help at all ive got a small pension that i have to live on so i have to cut down on every thing gas water leccy and ive got quite good at it dont put heating on less it gets less thah 8-9c it would be different if i had children or i was new to this country then i could get beniffits.
to tell you the truth if you are in need of help cut down on the things you can do with out
i have and leared you an get by on very little
i dont go out
i dont spend money on things that are not importent

:mad: Quite honestly I find it disgusting that you are in this situation and that you have to do what you do to survive and is a damning endictment of our supposed welfare state :mad:

I also find it disgusting that there are people on here who cannot and do not understand the difficulties that some people have to live with through no fault of their own whilst they act like scrooges in comfort :mad:

!!!!!! has this country and its people come to, you should really be proud of yourselves some of you :T:T:T

MSE News: More help urged over fuel poverty

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