Energy Price Guarantee No Longer 2 years just 6 months at current level

BooJewels

I live in a house that's bigger [and draftier] than necessary for one person, but I also work here too.  And yes, it costs more to heat than somewhere smaller, better insulated and more energy efficient.  But I choose not to move, because it's a nonsense to spend many thousand pounds to do so to save a bit on energy costs - not to mention that it would be difficult and unpleasant and necessitate a downsize, which wouldn't actually be practical.  This is my home, my late husband and I worked hard to buy it and it's all paid for and I own it.  I pay my own bills, I don't have my hand out to anyone for help and have donated some of the help I've had to an energy poverty charity and a local foodbank.  But why shouldn't I accept help when the Government give blanket assistance - we've paid our taxes over a lot of years and claimed very little back. 

I know that when the pointy heads get together and have the time and resources to come up with a better and more targeted solution going forwards, I am unlikely to be on the receiving end of any assistance and whilst I don't like the higher costs any more than anyone else, I know I'm being sensible in my usage and will be able to pay my own bills.  I've already taken measures over the last 18 months or so to minimise wastefulness, which has made a dent in my usage.  I'm at the point where any further reduction would change my lifestyle more than I'm willing.  But that's my personal choice and I am happy with the balance I've struck.

wittynamegoeshere

ariarnia said:

or are you suggesting no one should get any help from the government to cope with the incredible and unforsseeable (hopefullyshort term) cost of energy?

I'm suggesting that you're not the government and neither am I.  If people are going to struggle next winter with what's likely to be a much higher bill then they might to want to take some action themselves to change this situation.

Ultrasonic

wittynamegoeshere said:

Ultrasonic said:

wittynamegoeshere said:

We need a campaign around now to tell people their heating bills are going to double in a year.  

No we absolutely do not, since nobody knows that is what will happen.

Solid advice on how to reduce energy use coupled with encouragement for those who can afford to use more to still do so is what we 'need' right now IMHO.

That gentle encouragement option's been done to death, undoubtedly absolutely everyone in the country knows what LED light bulbs and insulation are.  It's obvious that many people just don't care, plus lots are living lifestyles that are, frankly, unsustainable.

If I was driving a Ferrari to the shops and complaining that my petrol bills are too high and I want some subsidy then people might understandably lack sympathy.  But some people living in huge old draughty houses seem to believe they have some right for everyone else to pay their bills.

Perhaps the answer could be some kind of "help to move" scheme.  Alternatively, most of these old houses are actually pretty valuable, perhaps we could have some kind of non-profit equity release scheme, where those in old houses could borrow the cost of their heating bills from their eventual estate.  Such things already exist commercially but they're usually not good value and have issues - especially the fact that you can't move if your needs change.  A government lender would be very socialist really, but less expensive than just giving money away and never getting it back, which is the current method used.

'Gentle' ecnouragement is your term not mine, and I wasn't talking about changing lightbulbs. I was talking about people modifying their behaviour to reduce energy consumption, having had the need to do so both to avoid power outages and to help reduce price pressures explained. There is a difference between advising people how to reduce consumption if they wish to and actually asking people to reduce consumption in the national interest.

ariarnia

wittynamegoeshere said:

ariarnia said:

or are you suggesting no one should get any help from the government to cope with the incredible and unforsseeable (hopefullyshort term) cost of energy?

I'm suggesting that you're not the government and neither am I.  If people are going to struggle next winter with what's likely to be a much higher bill then they might to want to take some action themselves to change this situation.

and your incorrectly assuming at least in this situation two things. first that someone in a too large houses isnt doing everything they reasonably and sensibly can to reduce their usage given their personal circumstances and abilities to improve their situation and that moving to a smaller house is a magic solution that would work for everyone. less patronising judgement and more understanding of individual differences would make a world of difference to actually coming up with helpful solutions rather than pushing your solution no matter how unsuitable it might be for that person 

wittynamegoeshere

Ultrasonic said:

wittynamegoeshere said:

Ultrasonic said:

wittynamegoeshere said:

We need a campaign around now to tell people their heating bills are going to double in a year.  

No we absolutely do not, since nobody knows that is what will happen.

Solid advice on how to reduce energy use coupled with encouragement for those who can afford to use more to still do so is what we 'need' right now IMHO.

That gentle encouragement option's been done to death, undoubtedly absolutely everyone in the country knows what LED light bulbs and insulation are.  It's obvious that many people just don't care, plus lots are living lifestyles that are, frankly, unsustainable.

If I was driving a Ferrari to the shops and complaining that my petrol bills are too high and I want some subsidy then people might understandably lack sympathy.  But some people living in huge old draughty houses seem to believe they have some right for everyone else to pay their bills.

Perhaps the answer could be some kind of "help to move" scheme.  Alternatively, most of these old houses are actually pretty valuable, perhaps we could have some kind of non-profit equity release scheme, where those in old houses could borrow the cost of their heating bills from their eventual estate.  Such things already exist commercially but they're usually not good value and have issues - especially the fact that you can't move if your needs change.  A government lender would be very socialist really, but less expensive than just giving money away and never getting it back, which is the current method used.

'Gentle' ecnouragement is your term not mine, and I wasn't talking about changing lightbulbs. I was talking about people modifying their behaviour to reduce energy consumption, having had the need to do so both to avoid power outages and to help reduce price pressures explained. There is a difference between advising people how to reduce consumption if they wish to and actually asking people to reduce consumption in the national interest.

Post-partygate, I doubt that anyone is going to follow government behavioural advice again, given that we know full well that those at the top won't be doing any of it.

wittynamegoeshere

ariarnia said:

wittynamegoeshere said:

ariarnia said:

or are you suggesting no one should get any help from the government to cope with the incredible and unforsseeable (hopefullyshort term) cost of energy?

I'm suggesting that you're not the government and neither am I.  If people are going to struggle next winter with what's likely to be a much higher bill then they might to want to take some action themselves to change this situation.

and your incorrectly assuming at least in this situation two things. first that someone in a too large houses isnt doing everything they reasonably and sensibly can to reduce their usage given their personal circumstances and abilities to improve their situation and that moving to a smaller house is a magic solution that would work for everyone. less patronising judgement and more understanding of individual differences would make a world of difference to actually coming up with helpful solutions rather than pushing your solution no matter how unsuitable it might be for that person 

If you have any suggestions for action that people could actually take for themselves then that may be more useful.

Given that many have already lagged everything and reduced waste as much as they can, what remains?

Getting offended isn't going to solve anything, so I'll refrain from the battle you seem to be trying to get into.

Go on, what's the answer?

ariarnia

wittynamegoeshere said:

ariarnia said:

wittynamegoeshere said:

ariarnia said:

or are you suggesting no one should get any help from the government to cope with the incredible and unforsseeable (hopefullyshort term) cost of energy?

I'm suggesting that you're not the government and neither am I.  If people are going to struggle next winter with what's likely to be a much higher bill then they might to want to take some action themselves to change this situation.

and your incorrectly assuming at least in this situation two things. first that someone in a too large houses isnt doing everything they reasonably and sensibly can to reduce their usage given their personal circumstances and abilities to improve their situation and that moving to a smaller house is a magic solution that would work for everyone. less patronising judgement and more understanding of individual differences would make a world of difference to actually coming up with helpful solutions rather than pushing your solution no matter how unsuitable it might be for that person 

If you have any suggestions for action that people could actually take for themselves then that may be more useful.

Given that many have already lagged everything and reduced waste as much as they can, what remains?

Getting offended isn't going to solve anything, so I'll refrain from the battle you seem to be trying to get into.

Go on, what's the answer?

you dont seem to get that any advice has to be based on the individual. you keep pushing for one simple single answer and dont get that what i'm saying is there isnt a quick and easy solution for everyone. that's exactly the point you keep missing. 

for me to answer your question (or for anyone on here to answer that question) you would need to give details of the individual. their energy use. their lifestyle. any limitations like essential medical equipment or things needed for their job. THEN individual advice can help cut their bills as low as they can be for that person. that might even be to change house if its right for that person and works given then situation. 

but even then. after advice has been given and cuts made. there will be some people who just can't afford the new energy bills. even minimal heating and cutting back there are lots who are already only just managing and they will not be able to manage with the cuts. they are the people i say we should help. and we should help them based on their actual situation and not based on what someone on an internet forum says they should be able to do even if that's not actually a feasible option for them. 

What_time_is_it

The government has 3 options as far as I can see:

1. Do nothing. No handouts. No energy support package.
2. Offer a universal support package. Basically, the EPG.
3. Offer a targeted support package.

Liz Truss has backed each of these options in turn in the last couple of months.
It's about time she made her mind up which option she actually believes in.

Ultrasonic

wittynamegoeshere said:

Ultrasonic said:

wittynamegoeshere said:

Ultrasonic said:

wittynamegoeshere said:

We need a campaign around now to tell people their heating bills are going to double in a year.  

No we absolutely do not, since nobody knows that is what will happen.

Solid advice on how to reduce energy use coupled with encouragement for those who can afford to use more to still do so is what we 'need' right now IMHO.

That gentle encouragement option's been done to death, undoubtedly absolutely everyone in the country knows what LED light bulbs and insulation are.  It's obvious that many people just don't care, plus lots are living lifestyles that are, frankly, unsustainable.

If I was driving a Ferrari to the shops and complaining that my petrol bills are too high and I want some subsidy then people might understandably lack sympathy.  But some people living in huge old draughty houses seem to believe they have some right for everyone else to pay their bills.

Perhaps the answer could be some kind of "help to move" scheme.  Alternatively, most of these old houses are actually pretty valuable, perhaps we could have some kind of non-profit equity release scheme, where those in old houses could borrow the cost of their heating bills from their eventual estate.  Such things already exist commercially but they're usually not good value and have issues - especially the fact that you can't move if your needs change.  A government lender would be very socialist really, but less expensive than just giving money away and never getting it back, which is the current method used.

'Gentle' ecnouragement is your term not mine, and I wasn't talking about changing lightbulbs. I was talking about people modifying their behaviour to reduce energy consumption, having had the need to do so both to avoid power outages and to help reduce price pressures explained. There is a difference between advising people how to reduce consumption if they wish to and actually asking people to reduce consumption in the national interest.

Post-partygate, I doubt that anyone is going to follow government behavioural advice again, given that we know full well that those at the top won't be doing any of it.

Leaders potentially not doing something doesn't mean it's not a good idea, and whether Boris was being a Muppet or not had no bearing on me complying with sensible advice re. COVID. Similarly, the Downing Street energy bill wouldn't affect my likely response to clearly explained advice from appropriate experts about how to help us get through the current energy crisis. Some may well take the attitude you're suggesting but doing so would not be an intelligent response to the current situation, and I do think the response to the COVID pandemic shows what people really are prepared to do when they feel it's in everyone's interest.

AcerBen

Apols if this has already been answered.

Why is the price cap currently predicted to go up substantially in April, when as shown by Martin on TV last night, the wholesale price has come down considerably, and we haven't even entered the calculation period yet?