Today, I've read with some dismay that Ofgem will again raise the fuel cap by a huge amount in October, around £800, to £2,800. I confess, I felt physically sick! This is an obscene amount to expect people to be able to pay. I'm on a fixed tarif at the moment, though this will end in time for this increase when I'll most likely see my fuel bills more than double in price. I'll have had a pay increase by then, however it won't begin to cover this increase. Meanwhile, the big energy firms are reporting increases in profits in the millions! Someone is getting very rich, and it isn't us consumers. It's well past time for the government to step in and stop this.
A so-called rebate later won't help us as this is a loan by any other name and will simply put up our standing charges each month for years to come to cover this 'rebate.'
It sickens me that our government is giving away so much of our taxes in Foreign Aid when so many people here are genuinely hurting and in need. My Mother always said: charity starts at home. Would you feed your neighbour whilst your own child went hungry? The reason they do it, in my opinion, is that it makes them look good on the world stage. How good will they look when people literally start to die from the cold because they can't afford to heat their homes, or cook food?
At present, we only turn on the boiler for about 40 minutes each day to heat water as we can't afford to leave it on all day. I'll wear 4 layers in the house before I'll even consider putting the heating on. I've already looked to see if there are any smaller houses we could rent, to make them cheaper to heat, but there's not much out there.
In work, there's been a definite decrease in the orders, and some days, the store is practically empty. People are already feeling the pinch, but our wealthy politicians just don't give a d*mn. I hate winter anyway, but this winter could be the worst...
Written in Wordpad which doesn't have spell checker that I can see. Apologies for any errors. At least it's free, and means I won't have to pay for Office Word.
6 comments
Gracie said:
Bee Orchid said:
It is unconscionable.
StoneRoad2013 said:
Part of the problem is actually the fixed deals and the twice a year OFGEM prices hikes.
I heat the house / hot-water and do a lot of cooking with gas, but that's tanked LPG. The cost of which has rocketed recently. I'm starting to look at lots more "little things" to make economies in expenditure. especially as all four of us are [effectively] pensioners and, therefore, on fixed incomes.
We are still having groceries delivered and that actually helps, to a certain extent. But it does prevent inspecting the "short date" perishables ...
e2a - the situation is nor helped by the "any & all profits are GOOD" and the "any benefit claimant is automatically a scrounger" attitudes that are prevalent - if somewhat disguised - in some {most} of our current governing party.
[Get off your soapbox, SR]
Bee Orchid said:
Jenny McIntyre said:
Bee Orchid said:
I bought new duvets not so long ago to keep both of us warm, and some fleece 'blankets' too which weren't that costly, but they're so warm and soft. We both have a hot water bottle too to keep the cold out in the winter.
The pension payments in the UK are the worst in Europe apparently, and a total disgrace. We have a Living Wage, there should be similar for pensioners to ensure they can afford to heat and eat.
Take care, keep warm. Really hope you can get away to Turkey for the winter as at least you'll be warm.