Energy news in general

wild666

As always any excuse to increase the price they charge us per kWh or standing charges. Just let them become dumb like the old analogue meters. I for one won't let them put in new meters that are working perfectly well just because they cannot communicate with another service.

Sea_Shell

It just occurred to me that many posters on MSE tend to stick to the same sub-forums, not venturing far from their favourites, or own threads.

There seems to be no specific mention of the ensuing energy crisis on the debt boards and if they're not reading here too, could be blissfully unaware of the additional budgetary strain energy is going to have.

Maybe someone who frequents both can start a thread?  I would, but I'm not sure I'm best placed to P on anyone's chips, as it were.

QrizB

Sea_Shell said:

It just occurred to me that many posters on MSE tend to stick to the same sub-forums, not venturing far from their favourites, or own threads.

There seems to be no specific mention of the ensuing energy crisis on the debt boards and if they're not reading here too, could be blissfully unaware of the additional budgetary strain energy is going to have.

Maybe someone who frequents both can start a thread?  I would, but I'm not sure I'm best placed to P on anyone's chips, as it were.

If someone wants to start a thread on the debt boards (and I cab't think of anyone better than Sea_Shell to do it), this story might be a good place to start:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59980760

Energy bills: 'It feels like I'm sleeping outside'
Every night, Thelma Spalding goes round her house trying to switch off every appliance.
It's not an easy feat for the 54-year old, who relies on carers and walks with a stick.
But she's following the advice given to her by her energy company as she desperately tries to keep her fuel bills down.
Thelma had to leave her job as an NHS support worker a year ago after being assaulted at work. Since then, her monthly gas and electricity bill has shot up from £44 to £99, meaning she can afford to heat only one room.
She has burns on her arms from trying to keep her wood burner going and has started using food banks to make ends meet.
She says: "I live in this one room. There's only me and the dogs, so why am I being charged this much for electricity and gas?
"In bed you're so cold that it's like you're sleeping outside. My carer gets me dressed and I wear two pairs of leggings, a pair of trousers, a vest, a T-shirt and a dress - and I'm in the house. It's so cold in the kitchen and the bathroom."

QrizB

Also on Radio 4 Today programme, right now, with Martin Lewis.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0013hxc

Edit: and The Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/jan/17/uk-households-facing-fuel-stress-will-treble-to-63m-thinktank

Or, if you prefer, The Telegraph:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/01/17/families-hit-fuel-stress-set-treble-six-million-homes-energy/

wakeupalarm

The do nothing government has finally some good news for the 6 Million choosing between heating or eating. 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59995937

QrizB

I've not mentioned gas futures for a few days. They seem to be trending gently downwards. Feb / Mar / Apr / May closed tonight at 188 / 186 / 161 / 153 pence per therm, 6.3-5.2p/kWh. A welcome fall from around 7p/kWh a fortnight ago.

If prices stay around that number you could see gas retailing under 7p/kWh over the summer. That sounds bad, I realise, but the cap is likely to be closer to 8p/kWh.

spot1034

UK looks at payments to energy suppliers to shield consumers from high bills

https://www.ft.com/content/87beedce-9b1f-4a7e-bfaf-d4a3b4f1703f

ProDave

spot1034 said:

UK looks at payments to energy suppliers to shield consumers from high bills

https://www.ft.com/content/87beedce-9b1f-4a7e-bfaf-d4a3b4f1703f

Only looking at gas and ignoring the sizeable minority who do not have gas.

wittynamegoeshere

So... all prices are fixed by the government, nobody can change supplier, and now the government is making payments to the energy suppliers.

What happened to this supposed energy "market"?

If it's dead then the govt needs to shut them all down and take over completely, not lob money at insolvent private suppliers, many of which have a parent company that will be doing extremely well as a result of their extraction/generation activities, who are having a massive windfall at the moment.

brewerdave

Together Energy has fallen over - just before the OFGEM deadline to pay its Renewables Obligations.