Worried About the Price Cap?

[aggi]

Fair comment...tend to agree with that, apart from maybe the last sentence.
For me it's been massively noticeable how little emphasis media and government have placed on any drive or campaign to reduce consumption...surely that should have been an integral part of the response.

After all the time ridiculing groups like Insulate Britain (including dreaming up new laws to stop them protesting) it would be a bit of a u-turn (not unheard of at the moment I know) to start supporting them.

[mkmel]

I am with Scottish Power and I have just read that they are paying me my £400 over a 6 months period!! Something like £66 a month from October 2022 through to March 2023.

Why not the £400 all paid out in October?

[Stayingup]

Fair comment...tend to agree with that, apart from maybe the last sentence.
For me it's been massively noticeable how little emphasis media and government have placed on any drive or campaign to reduce consumption...surely that should have been an integral part of the response.

Why should people reduce consumption?
As is mentioned below successive GOVERNMENTS have reduced extraction, exploration of our energy sources in the name of climate change and it was obvious that demand would exceed supply, as has happened. The judgement of governments like ours has been catastrophic. Thinking they could buy cheap gas on tap from Russia (mainly) at affordable prices until such time as we could be self sufficient in non fossil fuel.sources has proved pure folly. We buy LNG from Qatar and USA brought in on massive tankers. Which is maddness when we have our own. There can be no green argument not extract our own until.we are self sufficient with non fossil fuel sources. The result of this an impoverished nation. They even shut down Gas storage facilities like ROUGH.

[android]

Android has informed me I've got the wrong end of the stick so I'll retract it

Thank you.

It was DA who raised the topic not me. It is something I feel passionately about and I have done a lot of reading on it and therefore responded. It is actually nothing like the 80s comparison you make and so few people are informed on what is and has been happening. Anyway, I will leave it there and keep the thread on track.

[Loyal Supporter]

Quite a leap from asking what posters might do when the price cap rises to left wing lesbians.

I am going to look at loft insulation. Is there a grant for home insulation and any tips on warming the house other than Central heating or coal fires?

Thanks because I really won't be able to heat and eat this winter. Christmas is already forgotten for the kids presents.

[Paul Waine]

I am with Scottish Power and I have just read that they are paying me my £400 over a 6 months period!! Something like £66 a month from October 2022 through to March 2023.

Why not the £400 all paid out in October?

That's the way the government is paying the £400 for all of us. It's not SP's decision.

[Hipper]

Why should people reduce consumption?
As is mentioned below successive GOVERNMENTS have reduced extraction, exploration of our energy sources in the name of climate change and it was obvious that demand would exceed supply, as has happened. The judgement of governments like ours has been catastrophic. Thinking they could buy cheap gas on tap from Russia (mainly) at affordable prices until such time as we could be self sufficient in non fossil fuel.sources has proved pure folly. We buy LNG from Qatar and USA brought in on massive tankers. Which is maddness when we have our own. There can be no green argument not extract our own until.we are self sufficient with non fossil fuel sources. The result of this an impoverished nation. They even shut down Gas storage facilities like ROUGH.

It wasn't obvious demand would exceed supply. The downturn then upturn in activities due to Covid has caused supply problems in many industries, not just energy, and not just in the UK. Then we add the war in Ukraine.

The UK has never been dependent on Russian gas supplies. We got only around 3% of our gas from Russia but of course it is a global market so wherever we get gas from, including our own North Sea sources, the price will be higher. It is not an energy security issue but a supply one.

[Hipper]

Is the fact that this country borrowed money to deal with Covid affecting things now? Isn't borrowing usually for around ten years so the effects will be felt when we need to payback, or more likely, re-borrow? Or has the Covid borrowing affected our ability to borrow now?

Geniune questions, no more.

I think and PW may correct me, but, as interest rates are rising then the amount the government will have to repay will have increased as motgages that are not fixed will. Maybe thats why the BOE, who have been heavily critisized for not increseing rates earlier to combat infletion, didn't increase rates earlier. The people who are currently on fixed rates for their energy and mortgages were seemingly very smart. The remainder are paying the price.

My understanding is that money borrowed by a government during Covid, say 2020, have interest fixed at the 2020 rate (relatively low) for the length of the loan. If therefore the Covid loans were for ten years the interest would be fixed for those ten years. The money would then need repaying in 2030 but this would probably be done by further borrowing at the interest rates in 2030, quite probably higher then now. And that's when the proverbial **** could hit the fan although if inflation (and therefore interest rates) rise as is being said then the capital borrowed will be less value in 2030.

But I stand to be corrected.

[Lowbankclaret]

Tomorrow is the day we learn the new capped rates for energy.
Currently gas is 7.34 p per unit.

Electric is 28.01 p per KWH.

Tomorrow’s rates for October predicted to be

Gas 13.2 pence per unit

Electric predicted to be , 50.4 pence per KWh.

Surely the government has to step in.

[mkmel]

That's the way the government is paying the £400 for all of us. It's not SP's decision.

Thanks Paul

[Murger]

I thought it was coming straight off your bill, but apparently you pay your direct debit as normal and get the £66 a few days later.
It's a weird way of doing it.

[mkmel]

They pay you £66 in October and November. And then it's £67 in December January February and March.

[Lancasterclaret]

If the government don't do anything, then they will be out in a week when it gets very serious

So they will do something, but will it be enough?

And I'm still not convinced that everyone who is on a decent wage or better actually wants them to do anything, and that includes politicians

[Nori1958]

If the government don't do anything, then they will be out in a week when it gets very serious

So they will do something, but will it be enough?

And I'm still not convinced that everyone who is on a decent wage or better actually wants them to do anything, and that includes politicians

Iam Well enough off for it to have much impact on my lifestyle
But I still want the government to do as much as it can to help those not as fortunate as myself, I cannot believe anyone would think differently in my position

[Lowbankclaret]

If the government don't do anything, then they will be out in a week when it gets very serious

So they will do something, but will it be enough?

And I'm still not convinced that everyone who is on a decent wage or better actually wants them to do anything, and that includes politicians

I want them to do something, I can afford the new rates and to be fair having solar means I will be hit lees hard than others.

The gov definitely needs to do something.

Most of the population don’t even know what’s coming or are ignoring it.

Even though I have been telling my Mum she was stunned today at her fixed rate offer, it was £740 a month.

[bfcjg]

There will be civil unrest if nothing is done to ease the burden,

[Lancasterclaret]

There will be civil unrest if nothing is done to ease the burden,

Yes, but not where the people with the money live

[Nori1958]

There will be civil unrest if nothing is done to ease the burden,

That'll be a great help

[bfcjg]

That'll be a great help

Do you think it won't happen ? These well placed energy leaders think it could.
Hilarious isn't it.
https://uk.yahoo.com/finance/news/covid ... 00541.html

[Nori1958]

Do you think it won't happen ? These well placed energy leaders think it could.
Hilarious isn't it.
https://uk.yahoo.com/finance/news/covid ... 00541.html

Iam sure the rent a mob brigade will see an opening to make headlines.

[Paul Waine]

I thought it was coming straight off your bill, but apparently you pay your direct debit as normal and get the £66 a few days later.
It's a weird way of doing it.

It appears as though it depends on how you pay for your gas/electricity and who your supplier is. Many direct debit customers will have it credited from their bill - which I take to mean that your direct debit amount will be reduced by £66/£67 each month. Others will pay the same direct debit amount and then receive a separate credit for £66/£67. Then there are those who pay by cheque (or cash). Then there are smart pre-payment meters and, I assume, others who use other pre-payment arrangements (which, I assume, are non-smart).

I guess the variation in how suppliers are handling their direct debit customers is determined by how their payment collection systems operate.

It seems right that it is paid out over 6 months. It wouldn't be fair if someone moved out of a property in November, after receiving the full £400 in October and the person moving into the property got nothing.

[Nori1958]

It seems right that it is paid out over 6 months. It wouldn't be fair if someone moved out of a property in November, after receiving the full £400 in October and the person moving into the property got nothing.

But those moving in, would have received it at their previous residence

[Jakubclaret]

Everything will even itself out, there's too many people unduly worrying about nothing, what some people will lose others will gain & it'll go on a full cycle where the people that have lost will gain & the others that did gain will lose & that cycle will just repeat.

[Lowbankclaret]

Everything will even itself out, there's too many people unduly worrying about nothing, what some people will lose others will gain & it'll go on a full cycle where the people that have lost will gain & the others that did gain will lose & that cycle will just repeat.

I really don’t get your point.
If your bill this month is £230 like mine.

In October it’s going to be £400.

How’s that going to even itself out.??

[Jakubclaret]

I really don’t get your point.
If your bill this month is £230 like mine.

In October it’s going to be £400.

How’s that going to even itself out.??

How many stones do you come across where you can extract blood from? If people can't afford it the prices will naturally drop something will have to give.

[Lowbankclaret]

How many stones do you come across where you can extract blood from? If people can't afford it the prices will naturally drop something will have to give.

That’s why I have said the Gov needs to step in.

But currently people are going to have the gas and lecky cut off.

Bit like Covid these are extraordinary times .

People will need help and the Gov needs to step up.

[Lowbankclaret]

Just a point, I debated this with our new Labour candidate this evening. And whilst he understood the issues. He didn’t grasp facts like if the Gov made it compulsory that people who put solar on should get 50% of the sell price for what they export. That would bring payback down to 4 years. Most people n my estate would just buy it.
Just didn’t get the benefits and no cost to the government.

[Jakubclaret]

That’s why I have said the Gov needs to step in.

But currently people are going to have the gas and lecky cut off.

Bit like Covid these are extraordinary times .

People will need help and the Gov needs to step up.

It's a difficult situation & everybody's different I'm a great believer in helping yourself, some people still have their tumble dryers on instead of pegging the washing out just little things like that can make all the difference, of course hardship will apply to genuine people through no fault of their own & it certainly needs looking at when people are struggling & how things can be eased.

[Lancasterclaret]

Everything will even itself out, there's too many people unduly worrying about nothing, what some people will lose others will gain & it'll go on a full cycle where the people that have lost will gain & the others that did gain will lose & that cycle will just repeat.

Care to tell us which cycle this replicates mate?

[DCWat]

Everything will even itself out, there's too many people unduly worrying about nothing, what some people will lose others will gain & it'll go on a full cycle where the people that have lost will gain & the others that did gain will lose & that cycle will just repeat.

You seem to have a really odd view of things, not just this topic, but pretty much every topic you post on. You’re either massively out of touch or you’re just out to ensure that threads descend into more than healthy debate. I’m not sure which is worse.

There are people who are literally wondering how they will feed their families and keep them warm - come the cold months things are going to get very serious for even more people. One of my best friends is worrying himself silly - he’s a worker but has found himself in a difficult position following a break up.

Plenty don’t help themselves (I assume that’ll be your reply, but that’s a whole different debate). What shouldn’t be happening in this day and age, in this country (ideally in any country) is that people and particularly children and the elderly find themselves in such a position.

You and I may be fine, it may be something that we look on from a fortunate distance, which is great for us, **** for those less fortunate! We can then criticise those that decide enough is enough and take to the streets, because they feel there is no other way to express their frustration at position they find themselves in.

[Jakubclaret]

Supply & demand what's existed for centuries.

[DCWat]

Supply & demand what's existed for centuries.

[Jakubclaret]

You seem to have a really odd view of things, not just this topic, but pretty much every topic you post on. You’re either massively out of touch or you’re just out to ensure that threads descend into more than healthy debate. I’m not sure which is worse.

There are people who are literally wondering how they will feed their families and keep them warm - come the cold months things are going to get very serious for even more people. One of my best friends is worrying himself silly - he’s a worker but has found himself in a difficult position following a break up.

Plenty don’t help themselves (I assume that’ll be your reply, but that’s a whole different debate). What shouldn’t be happening in this day and age, in this country (ideally in any country) is that people and particularly children and the elderly find themselves in such a position.

You and I may be fine, it may be something that we look on from a fortunate distance, which is great for us, **** for those less fortunate! We can then criticise those that decide enough is enough and take to the streets, because they feel there is no other way to express their frustration at position they find themselves in.

Worrying about things is counter productive & will drive people to early graves, like I've said we might get a mild winter anyway the last 1 I can't remember putting the heating on much. By all means you carry on worrying about things which might not happen don't let me stop you, good evening.

[Lancasterclaret]

Supply & demand what's existed for centuries.

Well, I uumuted you to see if this was actually something you might have a clue about

Yet again, your complete lack of empathy and knowledge shines like a beacon

[DCWat]

Worrying about things is counter productive & will drive people to early graves, like I've said we might get a mild winter anyway the last 1 I can't remember putting the heating on much. By all means you carry on worrying about things which might not happen don't let me stop you, good evening.

I’m not worrying but I am concerned for people.

Actually giving a **** about people is a pretty basic trait that any half decent person should have, in my opinion.

A very good evening to you too.

[Nori1958]

I’m not worrying but I am concerned for people.

Actually giving a **** about people is a pretty basic trait that any half decent person should have, in my opinion.

A very good evening to you too.

Jacub does have some good points, if not always put accross well

Worrying about it will probably make more people ill, or worse, than the actual event

It will go full circle, and prices will drop, I think the reported worse scenario is 12 months

I would be asstounded if any energy company cut off supplies to anyone who was genuinely struggling

[Paul Waine]

But those moving in, would have received it at their previous residence

Not if they have been living in another property where they weren't responsible for the bills. Maybe a student leaving college or a first time buyer or several other situations, including returning from abroad.

[Lowbankclaret]

Supply & demand what's existed for centuries.

Well there are two different thoughts on that.
Labour was always controll the needs of the people, gas, electric trains etc. control the costs of the workers. Leads to inefficient companies.

Tory, put it private hands and market forces will keep costs down. In normal times that kinda works.

This is different, Electric and gas prices are linked to global prices.

Putin turning off the gas or reducing supplies is not market forces, it’s him who is driving this.

[karatekid]

Turn off the heating 2 hours before you go to bed. If your house is insulated it will stay warm enough before you hit the hay. That will save 14 hours of heating per week in winter.
Get in your Jim jams and dressing gown around the same time your heating goes off. This saves you having to get undressed when the house has cooled down a little.

[Lancasterclaret]

Jacub does have some good points, if not always put accross well

Worrying about it will probably make more people ill, or worse, than the actual event

It will go full circle, and prices will drop, I think the reported worse scenario is 12 months

I would be asstounded if any energy company cut off supplies to anyone who was genuinely struggling

He doesn't

[Lowbankclaret]

Jacub does have some good points, if not always put accross well

Worrying about it will probably make more people ill, or worse, than the actual event

It will go full circle, and prices will drop, I think the reported worse scenario is 12 months

I would be asstounded if any energy company cut off supplies to anyone who was genuinely struggling

I listened to a podcast where two CEOs don’t want to cut off people supply. But they fear they will go bust if people do not pay.
Hence Gov needs to step in

[DCWat]

Jacub does have some good points, if not always put accross well

Worrying about it will probably make more people ill, or worse, than the actual event

It will go full circle, and prices will drop, I think the reported worse scenario is 12 months

I would be asstounded if any energy company cut off supplies to anyone who was genuinely struggling

If the worry proves to be worse than the event itself (12 months is very optimistic based on some articles that I’ve read) it’ll be a good outcome.

Even if prices were to fall back to previous levels, the impact upon people being pushed into debt in the meantime will last for much longer.

The impacts of these increased costs are wide reaching.

You may be right about physical cut offs, I’m not sure of the rules around this for energy (water companies are not allowed to cut off domestic customers).

I suspect the energy companies would push them on to pre payment meters - a more expensive way to pay and if the customer has no money for tokens or whatever it is, they’re effectively cut off or building up debt through an energy grant.

[bfcjg]

Refuse to pay, kick off with the disconnection team , get sent to prison, nice and warm no worries about the bill ! Win win.

[Lowbankclaret]

Refuse to pay, kick off with the disconnection team , get sent to prison, nice and warm no worries about the bill ! Win win.

I certainly don’t want people treated like that. Not how we should be doing things going forward

[Devils_Advocate]

Energy companies wont cut people off but will instead force fit a pre-payment meter. The concern within the industry is potentially running out of pre-payment meters which with the current global stock issue and the fact that Smart meters cant operate in dumb mode for pre-pay this is a real possibility.

[fatboy47]

Labour was always controll the needs of the people, gas, electric trains etc. control the costs of the workers. Leads to inefficient companies.

Tory, put it private hands and market forces will keep costs down. In normal times that kinda works.

Put your copy of the Sun down, and take a swim in some of the turd-ridden ****-rich waters off the south-west's once prime bathing beaches.. Spend some time dodging the jam-rags, tampons and used bog paper.

If you manage to avoid typhoid and diphtheria you'll see the natural result of handing our utilities over to a bunch of cowboys and chancers.

[dsr]

Turn off the heating 2 hours before you go to bed. If your house is insulated it will stay warm enough before you hit the hay. That will save 14 hours of heating per week in winter.
Get in your Jim jams and dressing gown around the same time your heating goes off. This saves you having to get undressed when the house has cooled down a little.

Better still, don't heat the bedrooms. This is the first or perhaps second generation that has routinely had heat in the bedrooms, which suggests that for the heathly and relatively young, it isn't needed.

And if you must get dressed in a cold room, do what my mother did in the cold winter of ?1947, and leave your clothes within reach and get dressed in bed before putting a toe out from under the covers!

[Boss Hogg]

I’m normally supportive of capitalism but if ever nationalisation needed to be an option it is now. These are extraordinary times but market competition isn’t working. It is repulsive that companies are profiteering to such an extent whilst people are on the breadline struggling to afford a basic requirement to heat their homes. The old and vulnerable could be dying as a result this winter whilst the CEOs of these companies ( eg Keith Anderson) may be paying themselves huge bonuses and patting themselves on the back.

[alf_resco]

If you manage to avoid typhoid and diphtheria you'll see the natural result of handing our utilities over to a bunch of cowboys and chancers.

.............. because of course our waters were always pristine clean before.
Grow up.

[CrosspoolClarets]

A few more tips:

1. Cook in the microwave on the cook function rather than agas hob, particularly veggies or potatoes in boiling water. About a third of the price.
2. When it’s brown, flush it down. If working from home especially its all those flushes for number ones that hammers the water meter. It was about a third of my annual water use until I twigged.
3. Install a zone gas central heating system or if that isn’t practical put thermostatic valves on all the rads, ideally smart ones. The key is not to heat the rooms not used much at certain times of the day, e.g. one bedroom I use as an office and turn the rad off automatically at 6pm.
4. Cycle don’t drive. I bet the average person could save £1000 off their petrol costs if they choose to.
5. Stop buying luxury foods like strawberries, blueberries, ice cream, smoothies. A lot of the shopping bill is on stuff that isn’t really necessary. That cash can then go to energy.
6. Get all the tax reliefs entitled to. Most people don’t make use of all the relief they can. A quick google can access all kinds of good tips. For example there is a working from home relief to cover some of the bills.
7. Look at all the monthly subscriptions. I was shocked to find my mobile contract had drifted on past the compulsory date at £30 per month. I switched to a Sim only deal at £8 per month.
8. Haggle on things you may feel are essential like broadband if working from home.

Sorry if that sounds a bit condescending but my experience is virtually all of us can save more money than we are currently doing on some of these expenditure lines. I’d be amazed if 95% of posters can’t find one thing to benefit them in that list.