Shame on Eon......

Nada666

matelodave wrote: »

Why should some pay twice as much so that others can only pay half as much. I don't see two tier pricing in Tesco's, down the petrol station or even in the tobacconists so why should electricity or gas be any different

You have never shopped in Tesco's or Sainsbury's, then. Vast numbers of lines have two-tier prices. From trivially annoying to annoyingly large every other line (almost) carries a multi-buy discount.

Supermarkets also have different prices for petrol depending on your spending.

Your question should surely be "If Tesco's are free to do this why shouldn't utility companies?"

Can you clarify what you mean by "two tier pricing", though? Are you talking about multiple tariffs for the same product or are you talking about the tariff structure?

macman

Most people over 61 already receive an effective 16% tariff subsidy (£200) by way of the Winter Fuel Payment. The over-80's receive a 24% subsidy (£300). The absurdity is that these payments go to all, regardless of their ability to pay. Not all pensioners are in fuel poverty-why don't we target those who are?

Nada666

macman wrote: »

Most people over 60 already receive an effective 16% tariff subsidy (£200) by way of the Winter Fuel Payment. The over-80's receive a 24% subsidy (£300). The absurdity is that these payments go to all, regardless of their ability to pay. Not all pensioners are in fuel poverty-why don't we target those who are?

(Text removed by MSE Forum Team)

They should either be given to everyone or not given to anyone. It is absurd to suggest that it should be means tested - if you pass the means testing you already qualify for plenty of extra money and by your own arguments don't need anything else.

Same with school meals for children - give them free to everyone or not to anyone.

Nada666

The grotesque ridiculousness and unfairness and self-contradiction of your statement (the last couple of sentences in post #23) is pretty self-evident. If you don't want an exasperated reply don't post the bait.

Why didn't you put a reasoned argument full stop? You know perfectly well that any test for fuel poverty will not result in any fairness.

macman

I don't really care how 'exasperated' you may be, if you post personal abuse it's going to be reported.
I'll leave it to others to debate the merits or demerits, but your grudge appears to be against means testing in general, not means testing for fuel poverty.

Nada666

I have little problem with means testing but think it should be a barrier and not a gateway. The trouble with means testing things like pensioner fuel payments is, I thought self-evidently, that any system will result in payments only going to those who already receive more than enough. Once you receive means tested base income bonuses you do not need any extra.

And as for means testing for fuel poverty this again is implemented stupidly - near every test is based on actual usage. If you are too poor to use your heating in the first place you are excluded. Fuel poverty is never, in practice, tested on how much you would need to spend (although that is how it is defined) - it is only granted on how much you do spend.