Energy bills to rise - how much is yours going up by?

[Xenophon PCDGS]

My tariff is said to be "Fixed until September 2022" on each of the monthly dual fuel bills I receive from Good Energy.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Also confirmed in the news

Poorest households could miss out on £150 council tax rebate

Many low-income households in England will not receive cost-of-living payment, research suggests.

www.bbc.co.uk

Perhaps the Resolution Foundation would prefer if the Chancellor didn't bother then? Don't give anyone anything because some edge cases miss out, or have to get themselves together and make a claim (ie not on direct debit) rather than receive automatic payment.

Does the Resolution Foundation come up with any, well, resolutions or just whine about how absolutely awful everything always is? 101 reasons not to do something rather than finding the one reason why it should be done.

 

[reddragon]

Perhaps the Resolution Foundation would prefer if the Chancellor didn't bother then? Don't give anyone anything because some edge cases miss out, or have to get themselves together and make a claim (ie not on direct debit) rather than receive automatic payment.

Does the Resolution Foundation come up with any, well, resolutions or just whine about how absolutely awful everything always is? 101 reasons not to do something rather than finding the one reason why it should be done.

They have simply exposed those who are vulnerable and will miss out under the proposed system, what is wrong with that?

Meanwhile is the real world . . .

Dire warning on climate change ‘is being ignored’ amid war and economic turmoil

The third segment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report is being overshadowed, just like the previous one

www.theguardian.com

“The war in Ukraine is a terrible tragedy playing out before our eyes, and families rightly fear being pushed into poverty by inflation. Yet we seem blind to the fact that an even larger and existential crisis is already unfolding today – one that will result in a global humanitarian crisis and on a scale never seen before."

 

[Baxenden Bank]

They have simply exposed those who are vulnerable and will miss out under the proposed system, what is wrong with that?

In any policy intervention, there will always be winners and losers. In a non-intervention there will also be winners and losers from preserving the status quo. Having it pointed out, without a resolution as to how to get round it, seems pretty pointless.

I would hazard a guess that the policy wonks who came up with the £150 big cash prize assessed a number of options, each with winners, losers, loopholes and edge cases. Hence the lump sum given to local authorities to help those who fall through the net eg the cash poor living in higher than Band D properties. They went with the one seen as being fairest/easiest/quickest. They could have means tested it, resulting in a vast bureaucracy and time delay to anyone receiving a payment. They could have made everyone apply for it, again creating bureaucracy and delay. As it is most will get it pretty quickly, some will have a procedure to go through i.e. ask for a cheque, others will have a more complicated procedure eg tenants, those above Band D. Most will 'deserve' the money, some will not. I assume there will be a small number of cash rich people living in Band A-D properties who do not need the handout, they can always donate it to a relevent charity.

 

[Howardh]

On Friday as I reported I accidentally clicked on a link on my energy company's app dropping me into an expensive 2-yr deal. Fortunately there's a fortnight to cancel penalty-free and I've done just that, and should be back on the standard tariff tomorrow. I rang to cancel on Friday, it takes a full working day (ie today, Monday) and any extra costs will be refunded - they told me today.
Gambling that the rises in October will be no more than 25% (as suggested on TV) and that eventually they come down even if it's just a trickle.
But when my gas should now be 7.5p (appx) and they wanted 11.5p on the fixed deal...no brainer!

 

[najaB]

But when my gas should now be 7.5p (appx) and they wanted 11.5p on the fixed deal...no brainer!

Though, your gas usage should be reducing quite a bit just now (current week excluded!). While the UK doesn't get a lot of gas from Russia, European countries are going to need to replace their Russian supplies from somewhere.

 

[Howardh]

Though, your gas usage should be reducing quite a bit just now (current week excluded!). While the UK doesn't get a lot of gas from Russia, European countries are going to need to replace their Russian supplies from somewhere.

It's darned cold up here again, 8.5c and I have two (and a half) radiators set to 17.5c, and today's useage inc VAT and standing charge for gas alone is £1.46 (for two hours) although that is on that higher tariff that's been cancelled.
A full day would cost me, what, around £9 at that rate or over £3000/yr for gas alone! And the room I am in is barely warm.
Get a rover and spend all day on the train with flask and butties....

 

[najaB]

It's darned cold up here again, 8.5c and I have two (and a half) radiators set to 17.5c, and today's useage inc VAT and standing charge for gas alone is £1.46 (for two hours) although that is on that higher tariff that's been cancelled.

It's not too bad here today - high is forecast for 13°C, but the rest of the week is pretty dire with wind, ice and snow in store. I thought this was supposed to be spring?!

 

[Howardh]

It's not too bad here today - high is forecast for 13°C, but the rest of the week is pretty dire with wind, ice and snow in store. I thought this was supposed to be spring?!

That IS spring.

 

[skyhigh]

Gambling that the rises in October will be no more than 25% (as suggested on TV) and that eventually they come down even if it's just a trickle.

I'd love to be proven wrong, but I'm predicting the cap will rise by more than that.

 

[najaB]

I'd love to be proven wrong, but I'm predicting the cap will rise by more than that.

There's something prophetic about your username posting in a thread asking how high energy bills will be.

 

[3rd rail land]

Well its forecast to reach a high of 14C later today but right now I am wearing a zip sweatshirt and not feeling particularly warm. I am trying to avoid turning the heating but got close in the past few days but haven't relented yet.

I used to be on a £44/month electricity deal, my flat does not use gas, but it was recently bumped up to £81 on my standard variable tariff and I am trying to avoid it rising any further. I'd be surprised if any other energy firms could do any better than what I am paying now.

 

[GusB]

It's darned cold up here again, 8.5c

That's almost shorts weather here

 

[AndrewE]

Though, your gas usage should be reducing quite a bit just now (current week excluded!). While the UK doesn't get a lot of gas from Russia, European countries are going to need to replace their Russian supplies from somewhere.

and wherever we get ours from, we still pay the world price (even to British companies extracting it from the N Sea and feeding it straight into the gas grid.) Hence the grumbles about their windfall profits.

 

[Howardh]

That's almost shorts weather here

Caught a bus to the station and it feels quite mild now. Warmer than inside! Gonna do some number crunching based on yet another increase in autumn to see how much I need to put aside for the next eighteen months.
Think I'll be transferring a grand from my holiday fund into bills.
50% increase over winter would be too much for me, and if that's the case wouldn't there have to be a general election? We had several in the seventies with the strikes and shortages, we need a party that will keep us warm.
Pandemic to hyperthermdrmic?

 

[Simon11]

Caught a bus to the station and it feels quite mild now. Warmer than inside! Gonna do some number crunching based on yet another increase in autumn to see how much I need to put aside for the next eighteen months.
Think I'll be transferring a grand from my holiday fund into bills.
50% increase over winter would be too much for me, and if that's the case wouldn't there have to be a general election? We had several in the seventies with the strikes and shortages, we need a party that will keep us warm.
Pandemic to hyperthermdrmic?

How much of an increase in energy bills would you need to make it cheaper to 'live' abroad during the winter months!!!!

 

[Howardh]

How much of an increase in energy bills would you need to make it cheaper to 'live' abroad during the winter months!!!!

Wonder how many are thinking that? Just returned from a holiday in a four star which was 4 nts for under £100 so extended winter holidays seem to be the way forward.

 

[najaB]

Wonder how many are thinking that? Just returned from a holiday in a four star which was 4 nts for under £100 so extended winter holidays seem to be the way forward.

My company is now permanent hybrid working, 95% of the training I deliver is via Teams/WebEx and my parents live in the Caribbean. Hmm...

 

[PG]

50% increase over winter would be too much for me, and if that's the case wouldn't there have to be a general election?

That doesn't follow. Can't the incumbent government stay for a full 5 year term regardless of what anyone else desires?

 

[najaB]

That doesn't follow. Can't the incumbent government stay for a full 5 year term regardless of what anyone else desires?

Generally speaking, when a government becomes massively unpopular they tend to fall.

One nice feature of the UK system is that the PM is the person who commands the support of the majority of MPs. It never ceases to amaze that PMs who have the "full and wholehearted support" of their MPs can lose it as soon as the opinion polls start trending negative.

 

[JamesT]

That doesn't follow. Can't the incumbent government stay for a full 5 year term regardless of what anyone else desires?

Currently there are two methods to get an election before the full 5 year term is up:

A motion of no confidence is passed in Her Majesty's Government by a simple majority and 14 days elapses without the House passing a confidence motion in any new Government formed
A motion for a general election is agreed by two thirds of the total number of seats in the Commons including vacant seats (currently 434 out of 650)

But assuming that the Prime Minister doesn't want to call an election, either option requires a massive rebellion on the Conservative benches.

Presumably the closest equivalent would be the 1979 election, where Thatcher called a motion of no confidence in Callaghan's government. But he barely had a majority, whereas Boris has quite a large one.

A more likely scenario if the polls look bad is that Boris gets ejected and someone else takes over for the rest of the term. (i.e Major replacing Thatcher or Johnson replacing May).

 

[Howardh]

Think it needs around 40 Tory MPs to rebel, and a vote of no confidence which is unlikely. However those red wall Tory MPs will see their seats under threat, add those like Johnson in small majority seats, and they could force the government to help more in the meantime, or risk being voted down.
Also the next general election is Nov '24, but more likely May 24, which is just over 2 yes away, and if bills aren't lower I imagine the electorate will see them out.
Not much wriggle room considering by May next year - one year off the probable election, out bills will be sky high.

 

[reddragon]

So why we whinge about energy costs, 1000's of Ukrainians are being murdered in what is basically Putin in a meltdown over future declining oil/gas sales, hence power & wealth and whilst the IPCC saying that we MUST stop burning fossil fuels now or we are all doomed.

If we deal & remain reliant on corrupt murderous regimes in Russia, the Middle East or elsewhere for oil/gas when we have plentiful wind, solar & tidal energy at home that's a fraction of the cost with no strings attached, we will suffer endless pain

Think it needs around 40 Tory MPs to rebel, and a vote of no confidence which is unlikely. However those red wall Tory MPs will see their seats under threat, add those like Johnson in small majority seats, and they could force the government to help more in the meantime, or risk being voted down.
Also the next general election is Nov '24, but more likely May 24, which is just over 2 yes away, and if bills aren't lower I imagine the electorate will see them out.
Not much wriggle room considering by May next year - one year off the probable election, out bills will be sky high.

The Tories love of oil & gas, their money tied up with Oligarchs & off shore accounts is what will be their downfall. Even today they are still talking fracking, North Sea oil/gas and remain anti on shore wind / solar. They push the future fantasy of carbon capture yet play down plentiful tidal energy.

Prices will not magically drop in 2 years, the damage is done & policies are not changing.

Meanwhile my renewable energy & EV remain almost free to use. Please just do & change instead!

 

[najaB]

So why we whinge about energy costs, 1000's of Ukrainians are being murdered in what is basically Putin in a meltdown over future declining oil/gas sales, hence power & wealth and whilst the IPCC saying that we MUST stop burning fossil fuels now or we are all doomed.

If we deal & remain reliant on corrupt murderous regimes in Russia, the Middle East or elsewhere for oil/gas when we have plentiful wind, solar & tidal energy at home that's a fraction of the cost with no strings attached, we will suffer endless pain

As I noted above (or it might have been in another thread) - all of that is true, but people are paying high energy prices now. People are having to choose between heating and eating today.

Even if we start acting now, with maximum effort, it will be at least half a decade before we're weaned off oil and gas.

 

[reddragon]

As I noted above (or it might have been in another thread) - all of that is true, but people are paying high energy prices now. People are having to choose between heating and eating today.

Even if we start acting now, with maximum effort, it will be at least half a decade before we're weaned off oil and gas.

Insulation is quick, easy and deliverable before next winter. It's why those nutters sat on the M25, they had a good point!

Putting electric cars at the end of the street rentable by the hour can be rolled out quickly too, removing the poorer from needing to own a costly oil car. They already exist all over London.

There are shovel ready schemes for onshore wind, tidal energy waiting, grants can be re-established again too.

There is a lot that can be done quickly.

 

[najaB]

There is a lot that can be done quickly.

And a lot more that is going to take time. Developing an on shore windfarm takes at least two to three years.

Insulation is quick, easy and deliverable before next winter.

For a few houses, yes. For 60 to 70% of all houses? Not a chance.

Putting electric cars at the end of the street rentable by the hour can be rolled out quickly too, removing the poorer from needing to own a costly oil car.

Upgrading the distribution network to handle the additional load... may take a bit longer.

 

[reddragon]

And a lot more that is going to take time. Developing an on shore windfarm takes at least two to three years.


For a few houses, yes. For 60 to 70% of all houses? Not a chance.


Upgrading the distribution network to handle the additional load... may take a bit longer.

Sadly time is not on our side, it's too late. I planned for it the best I could and some of the things that are about to come sooner than you want.

It would surprise you how many lofts would get done if insulation prices were cheap enough, if there was a smart thermostat roll out like smart meters etc.

You only put charge points where the local grid can take it, often on street lighting circuits relieved of sodium lights or turned off at night, the grid itself is fine.

 

[najaB]

It would surprise you how many lofts would get done if insulation prices were cheap enough, if there was a smart thermostat roll out like smart meters etc.

It doesn't matter how cheap it is. Something like 15 million houses need loft and/or cavity wall insulation. It's seven months until the next heating season. There's no way we can do two million houses a month. That's about 1 house per second!

I support the goal 100% and we need to get out and do it as fast as possible, but we need to accept that it's not going to be done overnight.

 

[reddragon]

It doesn't matter how cheap it is. Something like 15 million houses need loft and/or cavity wall insulation. It's seven months until the next heating season. There's no way we can do two million houses a month. That's about 1 house per second!

I support the goal 100% and we need to get out and do it as fast as possible, but we need to accept that it's not going to be done overnight.

I do really feel sorry for those who will suffer from this as it will not be those whose greed & self interests caused it.

 

[Howardh]

I'm in a house built in the thirties and have loft and wall insulation. What I'm gonna have to do next winter is to live in the room which has the one radiator that needs to be on. It has a small wondor that needs double glazing, it's the one window that isn't ironically, put my PC and speakers in there and if there's no view at least I'll be warm!
Although a two bed retirement flat now looks ideal, although if I'm just heating the one room I suppose it makes no difference.