MSE News: We'll freeze energy prices, Ed Miliband tells Labour conference

Barnstormers

Thanks Ed! Now the power companies will rush to increase their prices sooner just in case - and I shudder to imagine it - Labour should return to power in 2015. Surely that should be obvious even to someone as naive as you.

Obviously_the_best

This whole article is just Labour pointing out once again that they are utterly insane.

Kite2010

Don't worry, if it seems it is likely Labour will win in 2015, the big 6 will just happen to announce price rises in April before the 20 month cap comes in.

Or they will ban fixed term deals, and force everybody onto the same energy tariff

cepheus

Looks like this forum has been taken over by shareholders of energy companies and members of the Tory party. Are there any genuine consumers on here which are vaguely representative of the country at large?

This is what real consumers think

Economic tracking data from YouGov finds significant concern over energy prices amongst UK consumers

• Energy prices seen as biggest threat to economy by UK consumers
• 83% feel energy suppliers maximise profits at expense of customers
• 91% expect energy prices to rise over next 12 months
• 56% agree “energy companies treat people with contempt”

scaredofdebt

cepheus wrote: »

Looks like this forum has been taken over by shareholders of energy companies and members of the Tory party. Are there any genuine consumers on here which are vaguely representative of the country at large?

This is what real consumers think

I'd suggest everyone on here is a "genuine consumer" - but also with the intelligence to see through this as the stunt that it is.

Freezing prices for 20 months isn't going to make much difference to the consumer and could do more harm than good.

FLAPJACK

Fantastic idea Ed.......can't wait to see my energy bill on the 21st month!!!

Still on your money......

verydeeppockets

As I said previously, go to energy.eu and have a look at the figures - we get a good deal compared to the rest of europe.

Simple question - how can removing profits from a company (by attempting to control or price fix) encourage them to invest to keep the lights on? Without wanting to appear tory or pro-nasty-energy-companies, I'd suggest we need to keep these companies on-side, as building new power stations without private investment is impossible, for this and the next generation at least. We can't afford it.

Economics - make something less profitable or harder to produce, and people will make less of it, or invest less in methods of production.

If it's an essential for 21st century 1st world living, and there's less of it to go round, demand goes up, and what does that do to the price children?
Anyone?
Ed?
Any Venezuelan toilet paper producers in the house?

Free fish and chips for all has been suggested as a good vote winner.
Quite possibly a more sensible policy.
Just need to run it by the other Ed first :rotfl:

verydeeppockets

scaredofdebt wrote: »

I'd suggest everyone on here is a "genuine consumer" - but also with the intelligence to see through this as the stunt that it is.

Face it, this is very probably our next prime minister.
Stunts are waaaay above his pay grade.
Some intelligent suggestions from him might be more useful than ill-thought-out soundbites.

MillicentBystander

Cardew wrote: »

If the companies look like making a loss, if this stupid plan comes to fruition, the government will subsidise them from the Treasury.

Of course they won't call it a subsidy, so how can it be hidden? A development grant perhaps? Is that suitably vague?

Or maybe some sort of tax allowance. You know, like they are getting now for investing in green energy initiatives (that they are also apparently charging their customers for).

Pont

All I want (is it too much to ask?):-
1) Clarity with regards to billing. Rather than you'll be billed for turning right/left, having a name with a vowel, driving a blue car etc.
Can't we simply have price per unit useage from all suppliers? We would then have a sensible choice and then could 'vote' with our feet so to speak).

2) I believe our so called 'green levy' is a red herring which is costing us all dearly. I do not wish to pay this levy and would like the option to opt out.

3) Our Ed, bless him, to wake up and smell the coffee! He can't organise a walk along the beach with his family let alone somehow influence world makets with regards to oil prices. Now if he would have suggested the removal of VAT of fuel bills ......

Ed's little foray into 'grown-up' thinking will cost him - don't give him another 6 months as leader.