STAYING WARM ? ..-= .CUT US OFF , BAILIFFS , OR TAKEN TO COURT ?.....FOR NON PAYEMENT OF BILLS ? ..... YOU TELL ME ...

[vittorio]

With colossal bills coming our way very soon, how on earth are we patients expected to keep up with them ? .as the temperatures drop .? .. in a recent survey .... " ONE MILLION customers are expected to tell the ENERGY companies = GAS / ELECTRIC = " YOU HAVE NOW PRICED YOURSELVES OUT OF IT ALTOGETHER , WE CANNOT PAY THESE EXTORTIONATE BILLS ". . WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT " ? , and by the way folks , have you noticed ( and I have been keeping a record of these endless rises ) 98% have all occurred either at the beginning of winter , or during it ........when people use more of it for obvious reasons .......I AM SUPRISED !! ..=. WHO ARE THEY KIDDING WITH THEIR GREED ? , these Companies keep trotting out those worn out excuses , of " World markets " etc , - clearly trying top justify their latest massive price ( profits ) rise .... ..how many people remember that news item last year on radio and tv , when ....=..." An elderly disabled pensioner was discovered hanging on to a BARELY WARM RADIATOR = DEAD..........CLEARLY TOO SCARED TO TURN UP THE HEATING ,- FEARING MASSIVE BILLS " .......SOMEONE IN THE PRESS , RERRED TO THIS AS = ....." COMMERCIAL MANSLAUGHTER , IN THE NAME OF PROFITS " ...........so folks , what are we supposed to do ? .... I can't cut down any further to try and save energy ...........even my old cat now climbs up INSIDE at the bottom of my bed at night to keep warm ...... even with his " furry coat " ........................IS IT HEAT OR EAT ?......over to you .....

[sassy59]

Hello vittorio, many are struggling already and can’t afford food and heating. It’s really bad and I’m not sure how much help people will get. I can see a big rise in the sale of blankets, throws and hot water bottles. Take care xxx 🤗

[vittorio in reply to sassy59]

Thank you muchly !!!👍

[Bevvy]

I don’t think there is much we can do…. Last year I purchased a fleecy blanket poncho that I can wear when really cold. I have just received something called wrist warmers that so far (although a bit too early to tell) seem to keep me a bit warmer when sitting. Am also waiting the arrival of a soup maker that someone has just bought me.

I guess “old fashioned” ideas of wearing layers, wearing socks in bed and so on will have to come in to place…..

[SORRELHIPPO in reply to Bevvy]

I have worn those old fashioned layers to bed for some years now. I now discuss the temperature, not by degrees, but whether or not it is a 3 or 4 layer day.

[Karenanne61 in reply to Bevvy]

Wrist warmers are amazing. I have a pair they are very fine but keep me toasty warm. If I'm out I can pull them down over my hand or wear mittens /fingerless gloves as well. (Rarely wear full gloves as they feel weird😄) My daughter has a pair and I've just bought a pair for my friend's birthday. I also wear a scarf, lightweight indoors and big heavier one outdoors. I find if my wrists and neck are warm I'm ok. Tempted to buy some legwarmers too, if only to relive my halcyon days as as a drama student. 😂

[Bevvy in reply to Karenanne61]

Hope the leg warmers will be neon pink! 😂

[Karenanne61 in reply to Bevvy]

Do you know, I am tempted by pink! 😂

[vittorio in reply to Karenanne61]

AH YES , THE GREAT ACTRESS !!...😀

[Karenanne61 in reply to vittorio]

I was once! 😄☺ But when you can't project and don't have enough breath to speak it limits what parts you can play!😂

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

So many people must be worried sick about how they are going to manage. Yes they always do put the prices up in winter knowing we have no choice in keeping warm. Personally I think it's disgusting, we need food and warmth but these people don't seem to care. Have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[Blackbird8]

Buy a few electric blankets and pop them on you furniture so that when your sitting down you can flick one on and be nice and toasty ❤

[SORRELHIPPO]

The individual fuel companies have some help to offer, see if you can become a person needing help, with your provider, I think I am down as vulnerable as regard to being cut off. Also try CAB for their input, they are a fund of knowledge about help that can be available.

[Lizzab]

Thousands of old people die each year of the cold already - I've heard this for many years.

We have a problem.

The government's climate change catastrophication and the what will be forced conversion away from gas and oil, will cause many more deaths, and the exacerbation of sicknesses. So too the price rises, as you have mentioned.

The above government strategy shouldn't be the path taken.

Unfortunately I think nuclear power is the only way to make a comfortable transition. I'm not a fan.

Note: I haven't said the climate isn't changing or that we shouldn't do something.

I know you weren't talking about the climate. - I just wanted to illustrate that our government probably don't actually care very much if we die and suffer.

You have prompted me to write to my MP to ask about proposals to keep people alive and warm with ever rising bills.

Thank you for making the point.

[vittorio in reply to Lizzab]

..Thanks for yours and everyone's replies ..... just of thought of something , why can't the Goverment take OFF that ....VAT .=... the bigger your Bill, and we all agree , its going to be monstrous , the bigger your VAT PERCENTAGE , oh and by the way , there are NOW 47 MILLIONAIRES IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS .( just looked it up _ ! )... THEY HAV'NT A CLUE HOW ORDINARY FOLK, LIVE LET, ALONE THE VERY POOR WHO ARE GOING TO COPE WITH THIS ..., SO IF YOU OR ANYONE CAN CONTACT THEIR MP.. - please do ..., IT MIGHT JUST HELP .......( ABIT ) ! ..🤔

[Lfcpremier]

Agree with all your points. Should be nationalised to stop all the different price hikes & tariffs. One affordable cost all. Living in a rich country shouldn't have to be a choice between food or heat. Take care!

[Davegt in reply to Lfcpremier]

Sorry I can't agree with nationalised fuel. That would mean only one supplier and you pay that price. I prefer to have competition rather than one size fits all. Unlike the old days, half our gas comes from Europe so the price we pay is determined by negotiations between all the companies and European suppliers. Some get better deals than others. In any event we are moving away from gas for two reasons. Supplies are getting less and less and Russia is now a main supplier into Europe wanting higher returns. Climate change has caused a rethink and hydrogen can be fed through gas pipes. It seems most boilers could be adapted for little cost. The waste product is water. Private companies are more dynamic to adapt to change than a nationalised company would be. My personal thoughts on the matter. Take care.

🤗

[Izb1]

I think we all are aware now of the coming increases in energy this year and feel that we have to be prepared. I have a couple of halogen heaters with 3 bars and if you look it up each bar costs .6p per hour to run. I have my central heating on in the morning for an hour, then when I come into the lounge it is nice and warm then use the heater on when needed. I worked it out if I use the heater on 2 bars for 4 hours per day it averages £15 per month and use the cetral heating morning and evening, although I live in a very cold house I will have to see how it goes. I have also signed upto a fixed rate for 3 years and increasing my direct debit. I have things like thermal throws for my bed just in case, along with warm bedding. This I am hoping will all help to cut my bills down this winter. I am very good at economising with food so wont starve. Its not an ideal solution but we know the government wont be able to combat this and I feel lucky that I get the warm heating payment £200 to help me through the winter x

[noaccent in reply to Izb1]

Hello izb1. We usually do pretty much as you do. However, did you know that Halogen heaters (of which we have one in each room, though some of them, being older, are now down to just one, or two, bars) have been BANNED by EUROPE !!!? We usually find that halogen heaters last one or at most two years before a bulb fails. We usually use the smallest (back bedroom) in our house, with our only Halogen heater that still has three bars left operating in that room. It is a very small room, and we sit virtually back-to-back, at different desks, so we need to have the heater swivelling from side to side to cover both of us. Being pensioners, we can still find it very cold. Also, we cannot afford to use our central heating at all. So not good at all.

[Izb1 in reply to noaccent]

I didnt know they were banned, do you know why? They are still on sale to buy. Yes I am 69 now and although I still have hormonal problems and get hot too quickly I find that I feel the cold more now and it takes longer for me to get warm. Goodness know what the bills will be like this year with Russia controlling the supplies but I wont be cold and will still use the central heating although carefully along with the heaters . Lets hope we dont have a severe winter, but wrap up well if we do. B &M have some fleece bedding that is super warm and have bought some for the back bedroom in case my daughter comes to stay over. Take care x

[Aingeful]

Have you checked to see if you are entitled to winter fuel allowance? It doesn't just depend on income.

[TwoDrifters]

Given the way this government has acted over Covid at least 150,000 pensioners would have to die of cold before they took any action. This is another benefit of privatisation, when the utilities were owned by us government could step in an assist, now you simply get into debt or starve. But don't forget "the market will provide", just like house building!

[Ergendl]

Thermal underwear can make a great difference. Then with the wrist warmers and Nordic socks to add to your multi-layers. Warm as toast, round as Michelin man.

[barbs47]

Have you all checked if you can get the Warm Home Discount from your supplier this is £142 on top of the £200 Winter Fuel Allowance from the government Barbsx

[maggiewhiteley in reply to barbs47]

Think you have to be on pension credit to get that