I also think it’s worthwhile for those of us that can afford it to start putting an item or two in the food bank donation box when we visit the supermarket. It really doesn’t have to be much but might make a huge difference to some struggling family.
Cant believe I’ve felt the need to write that in the U.K. in 2022. Absolutely shocking.
I always buy a couple of tins of soup or beans and a pack of pasta for the donation trolley/container
I also think it’s worthwhile for those of us that can afford it to start putting an item or two in the food bank donation box when we visit the supermarket. It really doesn’t have to be much but might make a huge difference to some struggling family.
Cant believe I’ve felt the need to write that in the U.K. in 2022. Absolutely shocking.
I know a couple of supermarkets were looking at it but dropped the idea, but having the ability to round up your shopping bill to the nearest pound with the difference going to a food bank would also really add up and allow the food banks to buy exactly what they need (they always have a surplus of some items and not enough of others).
A good friend of mine is CEO of The Hygiene Bank, they are also a very worthy cause as people tend to drop those type of products before food/fuel.
my local Tesco has a round up donation facility, in this case for the Red Cross .. also when booking at Travelodge there is a facility to donate 50p or so to MacMillan cancer care
perhaps solar panels and non gas heating equipment could be built into every new house and block of flats/apartments .. that would be costly but some form of government subsidy could be on the agenda
We are now 100% electric - took out the oil fired system (we do not have mains gas). Pricey now but should turn out well in the long run.
perhaps solar panels and non gas heating equipment could be built into every new house and block of flats/apartments .. that would be costly but some form of government subsidy could be on the agenda
We are now 100% electric - took out the oil fired system (we do not have mains gas). Pricey now but should turn out well in the long run.
I'm now looking at solar and batteries.
thing is, most can't afford to do that for older houses .. if the panels and heaters were built in, that makes it easier, though that of course does not fix up old properties .. around my village and on the roads into town, there are literally hundreds of new houses being built (I exaggerate not) .. I'll wager not one has neither panels nor non gas heaters included .. come to that, I will ask around to find out
perhaps solar panels and non gas heating equipment could be built into every new house and block of flats/apartments .. that would be costly but some form of government subsidy could be on the agenda
We are now 100% electric - took out the oil fired system (we do not have mains gas). Pricey now but should turn out well in the long run.
I'm now looking at solar and batteries.
thing is, most can't afford to do that for older houses .. if the panels and heaters were built in, that makes it easier, though that of course does not fix up old properties .. around my village and on the roads into town, there are literally hundreds of new houses being built (I exaggerate not) .. I'll wager not one has neither panels nor non gas heaters included .. come to that, I will ask around to find out
This could be easily resolved by making it a condition of planning permission and not just a token amount.
perhaps solar panels and non gas heating equipment could be built into every new house and block of flats/apartments .. that would be costly but some form of government subsidy could be on the agenda
We are now 100% electric - took out the oil fired system (we do not have mains gas). Pricey now but should turn out well in the long run.
I'm now looking at solar and batteries.
thing is, most can't afford to do that for older houses .. if the panels and heaters were built in, that makes it easier, though that of course does not fix up old properties .. around my village and on the roads into town, there are literally hundreds of new houses being built (I exaggerate not) .. I'll wager not one has neither panels nor non gas heaters included .. come to that, I will ask around to find out
Agreed - much cheaper if part of the original build.
I'll wager you are right on the new houses near you, Lincs - our two sons both bought new build houses 18 months or so ago and standard wet radiator/gas boiler set-up. Developer was David Wilson but I'm sure it would be a similar story with all the main developers.
I suppose the problem is the associated admin processes to restrict it as well as means testing is a) costly and b) there isn't time to put it in place.
Still it would have been a surprise if the Tories did anything else.
I suppose the problem is the associated admin processes to restrict it as well as means testing is a) costly and b) there isn't time to put it in place.
Still it would have been a surprise if the Tories did anything else.
It does seem unfair, but how to restrict it per household simply other than per meter?
If you have a second home, in theory you are only in one at any one time so only using minimal power at the other. Unless of course some of the family are at one and the others at the other.
Until lockdown, Shrek and I lived at my flat in Greenwich during the week and his house most weekends. We didn't use more power than if we lived in just the one place, but not nearly twice as much (standing charge, heating on low in the coldest months, lights on for security as well as fridge/freezer etc) living at one place, as we do now (as I have rented out my flat). Quite rightly, now we will only qualify for 1 payment. I think if we had received 2, we would donate the second payment - although not sure who to as would want it to go to the most needy e.g. really can't heat and eat
I suppose the problem is the associated admin processes to restrict it as well as means testing is a) costly and b) there isn't time to put it in place.
Still it would have been a surprise if the Tories did anything else.
Means testing always introduces so many problems.
People that don't really need something get it while people that really do need it don't get it for some reason.!
Not to mention stigmas and divisions in society.
I think that underneath this is "reasonably" progressive because the wealthy pay more taxes.
Rich people pay but everybody gets it. That works much better.
I suppose the problem is the associated admin processes to restrict it as well as means testing is a) costly and b) there isn't time to put it in place.
Still it would have been a surprise if the Tories did anything else.
It does seem unfair, but how to restrict it per household simply other than per meter?
If you have a second home, in theory you are only in one at any one time so only using minimal power at the other. Unless of course some of the family are at one and the others at the other.
Until lockdown, Shrek and I lived at my flat in Greenwich during the week and his house most weekends. We didn't use more power than if we lived in just the one place, but not nearly twice as much (standing charge, heating on low in the coldest months, lights on for security as well as fridge/freezer etc) living at one place, as we do now (as I have rented out my flat). Quite rightly, now we will only qualify for 1 payment. I think if we had received 2, we would donate the second payment - although not sure who to as would want it to go to the most needy e.g. really can't heat and eat
Salvation Army, THE best charitable organisation i m o
I suppose the problem is the associated admin processes to restrict it as well as means testing is a) costly and b) there isn't time to put it in place.
Still it would have been a surprise if the Tories did anything else.
It does seem unfair, but how to restrict it per household simply other than per meter?
If you have a second home, in theory you are only in one at any one time so only using minimal power at the other. Unless of course some of the family are at one and the others at the other.
Until lockdown, Shrek and I lived at my flat in Greenwich during the week and his house most weekends. We didn't use more power than if we lived in just the one place, but not nearly twice as much (standing charge, heating on low in the coldest months, lights on for security as well as fridge/freezer etc) living at one place, as we do now (as I have rented out my flat). Quite rightly, now we will only qualify for 1 payment. I think if we had received 2, we would donate the second payment - although not sure who to as would want it to go to the most needy e.g. really can't heat and eat
Salvation Army, THE best charitable organisation i m o
Thanks for the suggestion. I really do want to donate to those who really are the most needy (not to those who are spending their income on non-essentials).
The poorest households are each getting £650 as well, meaning a total of £1,050.
It is costly to means test things, although I'm sure many would prefer to see £405 spent on admin to stop a wealthy person getting £400, one of the cornerstones of the welfare state is that it has to be there for everyone, which helps to prevent resentment amongst the groups that actually pay for it.
The Council Tax rebate is very unfair as the value of a property bears no relation to the household income, and property values vary so much from the south to the north.
We live in a rented 2 bedroom bungalow in a nice area, but in a Band E, so we don't qualify for the Council Tax rebate. Someone in the north of England could have a much higher income and disposable income, than we do and may have a bigger house, but because of the difference in property prices, may live in a Band D property and qualify for the Council Tax rebate.
The only saving grace for us is that we fixed our energy price for 2 years last June, so have not yet felt the impact of the recent price increases. We currently pay £159 per month for Gas& Electricity and dread the increase from June 2023.
The Council Tax rebate is very unfair as the value of a property bears no relation to the household income, and property values vary so much from the south to the north.
We live in a rented 2 bedroom bungalow in a nice area, but in a Band E, so we don't qualify for the Council Tax rebate. Someone in the north of England could have a much higher income and disposable income, than we do and may have a bigger house, but because of the difference in property prices, may live in a Band D property and qualify for the Council Tax rebate.
The only saving grace for us is that we fixed our energy price for 2 years last June, so have not yet felt the impact of the recent price increases. We currently pay £159 per month for Gas& Electricity and dread the increase from June 2023.
How do you think the £150 Council Tax rebate should be assessed? Property value is at least a measure (however crude) of relative wealth and it is easier to target because all of the information is already available. Is it fair that a pensioner who sold a big detached house at band 'I', traded down and banked a fortune, and now lives in a band D still gets the £150 rebate?
Some would argue that you receiving the £400 credit to your fuel bill this winter is unfair - as it doesn't take into account the fact that you haven't seen any price increases. It's equally unfair that I am receiving the £400 also even though I have seen significant price increases.
Come up with a fair, workable and progressive system and I would support it.
The Council Tax rebate is very unfair as the value of a property bears no relation to the household income, and property values vary so much from the south to the north.
We live in a rented 2 bedroom bungalow in a nice area, but in a Band E, so we don't qualify for the Council Tax rebate. Someone in the north of England could have a much higher income and disposable income, than we do and may have a bigger house, but because of the difference in property prices, may live in a Band D property and qualify for the Council Tax rebate.
The only saving grace for us is that we fixed our energy price for 2 years last June, so have not yet felt the impact of the recent price increases. We currently pay £159 per month for Gas& Electricity and dread the increase from June 2023.
How do you think the £150 Council Tax rebate should be assessed? Property value is at least a measure (however crude) of relative wealth and it is easier to target because all of the information is already available. Is it fair that a pensioner who sold a big detached house at band 'I', traded down and banked a fortune, and now lives in a band D still gets the £150 rebate?
Some would argue that you receiving the £400 credit to your fuel bill this winter is unfair - as it doesn't take into account the fact that you haven't seen any price increases. It's equally unfair that I am receiving the £400 also even though I have seen significant price increases.
Come up with a fair, workable and progressive system and I would support it.
The tax system could have been used so that those on lower incomes pay less tax.
Our fuel bill may not have gone up yet, but everything else has gone up, including our rent. My husband's pensions and my salary haven't kept pace with inflation, so we are still worse off than we were last year.
The Council Tax rebate is very unfair as the value of a property bears no relation to the household income, and property values vary so much from the south to the north.
We live in a rented 2 bedroom bungalow in a nice area, but in a Band E, so we don't qualify for the Council Tax rebate. Someone in the north of England could have a much higher income and disposable income, than we do and may have a bigger house, but because of the difference in property prices, may live in a Band D property and qualify for the Council Tax rebate.
The only saving grace for us is that we fixed our energy price for 2 years last June, so have not yet felt the impact of the recent price increases. We currently pay £159 per month for Gas& Electricity and dread the increase from June 2023.
How do you think the £150 Council Tax rebate should be assessed? Property value is at least a measure (however crude) of relative wealth and it is easier to target because all of the information is already available. Is it fair that a pensioner who sold a big detached house at band 'I', traded down and banked a fortune, and now lives in a band D still gets the £150 rebate?
Some would argue that you receiving the £400 credit to your fuel bill this winter is unfair - as it doesn't take into account the fact that you haven't seen any price increases. It's equally unfair that I am receiving the £400 also even though I have seen significant price increases.
Come up with a fair, workable and progressive system and I would support it.
The tax system could have been used so that those on lower incomes pay less tax.
Our fuel bill may not have gone up yet, but everything else has gone up, including our rent. My husband's pensions and my salary haven't kept pace with inflation, so we are still worse off than we were last year.
I should think there are a few more people out there who are worse off than last year.
The Council Tax rebate is very unfair as the value of a property bears no relation to the household income, and property values vary so much from the south to the north.
We live in a rented 2 bedroom bungalow in a nice area, but in a Band E, so we don't qualify for the Council Tax rebate. Someone in the north of England could have a much higher income and disposable income, than we do and may have a bigger house, but because of the difference in property prices, may live in a Band D property and qualify for the Council Tax rebate.
The only saving grace for us is that we fixed our energy price for 2 years last June, so have not yet felt the impact of the recent price increases. We currently pay £159 per month for Gas& Electricity and dread the increase from June 2023.
How do you think the £150 Council Tax rebate should be assessed? Property value is at least a measure (however crude) of relative wealth and it is easier to target because all of the information is already available. Is it fair that a pensioner who sold a big detached house at band 'I', traded down and banked a fortune, and now lives in a band D still gets the £150 rebate?
Some would argue that you receiving the £400 credit to your fuel bill this winter is unfair - as it doesn't take into account the fact that you haven't seen any price increases. It's equally unfair that I am receiving the £400 also even though I have seen significant price increases.
Come up with a fair, workable and progressive system and I would support it.
The tax system could have been used so that those on lower incomes pay less tax.
Our fuel bill may not have gone up yet, but everything else has gone up, including our rent. My husband's pensions and my salary haven't kept pace with inflation, so we are still worse off than we were last year.
I should think there are a few more people out there who are worse off than last year.
The Council Tax rebate is very unfair as the value of a property bears no relation to the household income, and property values vary so much from the south to the north.
We live in a rented 2 bedroom bungalow in a nice area, but in a Band E, so we don't qualify for the Council Tax rebate. Someone in the north of England could have a much higher income and disposable income, than we do and may have a bigger house, but because of the difference in property prices, may live in a Band D property and qualify for the Council Tax rebate.
The only saving grace for us is that we fixed our energy price for 2 years last June, so have not yet felt the impact of the recent price increases. We currently pay £159 per month for Gas& Electricity and dread the increase from June 2023.
If it’s any consolation I live in a band E property in the North of England and it gets a good bit colder up here at times. The banding was done in 1991 and all though there was still the North South divide it wasn’t nearly as much then in terms of house prices as it is now.
The Council Tax rebate is very unfair as the value of a property bears no relation to the household income, and property values vary so much from the south to the north.
We live in a rented 2 bedroom bungalow in a nice area, but in a Band E, so we don't qualify for the Council Tax rebate. Someone in the north of England could have a much higher income and disposable income, than we do and may have a bigger house, but because of the difference in property prices, may live in a Band D property and qualify for the Council Tax rebate.
The only saving grace for us is that we fixed our energy price for 2 years last June, so have not yet felt the impact of the recent price increases. We currently pay £159 per month for Gas& Electricity and dread the increase from June 2023.
If it’s any consolation I live in a band E property in the North of England and it gets a good bit colder up here at times. The banding was done in 1991 and all though there was still the North South divide it wasn’t nearly as much then in terms of house prices as it is now.
A local income tax would be a fairer way of funding Councils. It is crazy that Council Tax bandings are still working on the equivalent value from 1991.
When we get the £400 later in the year, I will leave it in the fuel account and continue to pay the same as we do now, so that there will be a credit balance when we do finish the fixed price period in June 2023.
The Council Tax rebate is very unfair as the value of a property bears no relation to the household income, and property values vary so much from the south to the north.
We live in a rented 2 bedroom bungalow in a nice area, but in a Band E, so we don't qualify for the Council Tax rebate. Someone in the north of England could have a much higher income and disposable income, than we do and may have a bigger house, but because of the difference in property prices, may live in a Band D property and qualify for the Council Tax rebate.
The only saving grace for us is that we fixed our energy price for 2 years last June, so have not yet felt the impact of the recent price increases. We currently pay £159 per month for Gas& Electricity and dread the increase from June 2023.
If it’s any consolation I live in a band E property in the North of England and it gets a good bit colder up here at times. The banding was done in 1991 and all though there was still the North South divide it wasn’t nearly as much then in terms of house prices as it is now.
A local income tax would be a fairer way of funding Councils. It is crazy that Council Tax bandings are still working on the equivalent value from 1991.
When we get the £400 later in the year, I will leave it in the fuel account and continue to pay the same as we do now, so that there will be a credit balance when we do finish the fixed price period in June 2023.
It was brought in to replace a very unpopular tax (remember that). I think to change how it is collected could cost a lot and possibly be more unpopular. But revaluing property banding based on square footage would seem to make sense to me. Would have to be done in a way that was proportionate to the money being currently generated.
Rather than opting for a windfall tax (or whatever you want to call it) why not tell the energy companies to drop the standing charge or reduce the unit cost by a set percentage. To me that would be the fairest solution. They should also limit the increase to a set percentage when the next cost of living increase is due. I don't know whether that is feasible or not but to me it seems a simple solution.
Rather than opting for a windfall tax (or whatever you want to call it) why not tell the energy companies to drop the standing charge or reduce the unit cost by a set percentage. To me that would be the fairest solution. They should also limit the increase to a set percentage when the next cost of living increase is due. I don't know whether that is feasible or not but to me it seems a simple solution.
Won’t this largely be applied to fuel companies like shell and bp and not those providing energy to homes?
Rather than opting for a windfall tax (or whatever you want to call it) why not tell the energy companies to drop the standing charge or reduce the unit cost by a set percentage. To me that would be the fairest solution. They should also limit the increase to a set percentage when the next cost of living increase is due. I don't know whether that is feasible or not but to me it seems a simple solution.
Won’t this largely be applied to fuel companies like shell and bp and not those providing energy to homes?
Maybe I am speaking personally because we were transferred to Shell when our previous supplier went bust but the local energy supplier Scottish and Southern Energy made a profit before tax of (£m)1,164.0 which was up 44% so it isn't just the likes of Shell and BP who need to lower there prices.
Rather than opting for a windfall tax (or whatever you want to call it) why not tell the energy companies to drop the standing charge or reduce the unit cost by a set percentage. To me that would be the fairest solution. They should also limit the increase to a set percentage when the next cost of living increase is due. I don't know whether that is feasible or not but to me it seems a simple solution.
Won’t this largely be applied to fuel companies like shell and bp and not those providing energy to homes?
Maybe I am speaking personally because we were transferred to Shell when our previous supplier went bust but the local energy supplier Scottish and Southern Energy made a profit before tax of (£m)1,164.0 which was up 44% so it isn't just the likes of Shell and BP who need to lower there prices.
The suppliers to the consumer will operate at a margin - the bigger the raw material price from the suppliers of fuel for the power stations (Shell, BP et al) the higher that margin will be in cash terms for the likes of Scottish Power. The bulk of the profit rises though is with the producers of the raw material as their costs have not risen markedly compared to the global wholesale price they can sell it for.
The Council Tax rebate is very unfair as the value of a property bears no relation to the household income, and property values vary so much from the south to the north.
We live in a rented 2 bedroom bungalow in a nice area, but in a Band E, so we don't qualify for the Council Tax rebate. Someone in the north of England could have a much higher income and disposable income, than we do and may have a bigger house, but because of the difference in property prices, may live in a Band D property and qualify for the Council Tax rebate.
The only saving grace for us is that we fixed our energy price for 2 years last June, so have not yet felt the impact of the recent price increases. We currently pay £159 per month for Gas& Electricity and dread the increase from June 2023.
Also, more people generate more work i.e. costs for a lot of (but not all) the items it covers. A 25% discount for a single person is not much compared to family of 4 or 5 adults (with more adult children living at home indefinitely longer)
I also think it’s worthwhile for those of us that can afford it to start putting an item or two in the food bank donation box when we visit the supermarket. It really doesn’t have to be much but might make a huge difference to some struggling family.
Cant believe I’ve felt the need to write that in the U.K. in 2022. Absolutely shocking.
I know a couple of supermarkets were looking at it but dropped the idea, but having the ability to round up your shopping bill to the nearest pound with the difference going to a food bank would also really add up and allow the food banks to buy exactly what they need (they always have a surplus of some items and not enough of others).
A good friend of mine is CEO of The Hygiene Bank, they are also a very worthy cause as people tend to drop those type of products before food/fuel.
my local Tesco has a round up donation facility, in this case for the Red Cross .. also when booking at Travelodge there is a facility to donate 50p or so to MacMillan cancer care
I should have added this only applies to the self service check outs ..
My mum is with Scottish Power and her fixed term finishes on Tuesday. The best new fixed rates offered to her are showing as £450+ a month.
Can that be right with the price cap? She is currently paying £150pcm. She is not running a cannabis farm either!
Fixed rates do not have the price cap applied to them. In the good old days they were often much lower, but now all fixes are far higher than the price cap.
If you would like to go into the price cap, you do nothing, let your fixed contract expire, you then automatically get put onto their "standard" tariff, which is the price cap.
Comments
I'll wager you are right on the new houses near you, Lincs - our two sons both bought new build houses 18 months or so ago and standard wet radiator/gas boiler set-up. Developer was David Wilson but I'm sure it would be a similar story with all the main developers.
I suppose the problem is the associated admin processes to restrict it as well as means testing is a) costly and b) there isn't time to put it in place.
Still it would have been a surprise if the Tories did anything else.
If you have a second home, in theory you are only in one at any one time so only using minimal power at the other. Unless of course some of the family are at one and the others at the other.
Until lockdown, Shrek and I lived at my flat in Greenwich during the week and his house most weekends. We didn't use more power than if we lived in just the one place, but not nearly twice as much (standing charge, heating on low in the coldest months, lights on for security as well as fridge/freezer etc) living at one place, as we do now (as I have rented out my flat). Quite rightly, now we will only qualify for 1 payment. I think if we had received 2, we would donate the second payment - although not sure who to as would want it to go to the most needy e.g. really can't heat and eat
People that don't really need something get it while people that really do need it don't get it for some reason.!
Not to mention stigmas and divisions in society.
I think that underneath this is "reasonably" progressive because the wealthy pay more taxes.
Rich people pay but everybody gets it. That works much better.
It is costly to means test things, although I'm sure many would prefer to see £405 spent on admin to stop a wealthy person getting £400, one of the cornerstones of the welfare state is that it has to be there for everyone, which helps to prevent resentment amongst the groups that actually pay for it.
We live in a rented 2 bedroom bungalow in a nice area, but in a Band E, so we don't qualify for the Council Tax rebate. Someone in the north of England could have a much higher income and disposable income, than we do and may have a bigger house, but because of the difference in property prices, may live in a Band D property and qualify for the Council Tax rebate.
The only saving grace for us is that we fixed our energy price for 2 years last June, so have not yet felt the impact of the recent price increases. We currently pay £159 per month for Gas& Electricity and dread the increase from June 2023.
Some would argue that you receiving the £400 credit to your fuel bill this winter is unfair - as it doesn't take into account the fact that you haven't seen any price increases. It's equally unfair that I am receiving the £400 also even though I have seen significant price increases.
Come up with a fair, workable and progressive system and I would support it.
Our fuel bill may not have gone up yet, but everything else has gone up, including our rent. My husband's pensions and my salary haven't kept pace with inflation, so we are still worse off than we were last year.
When we get the £400 later in the year, I will leave it in the fuel account and continue to pay the same as we do now, so that there will be a credit balance when we do finish the fixed price period in June 2023.
To me that would be the fairest solution.
They should also limit the increase to a set percentage when the next cost of living increase is due.
I don't know whether that is feasible or not but to me it seems a simple solution.
The suppliers to the consumer will operate at a margin - the bigger the raw material price from the suppliers of fuel for the power stations (Shell, BP et al) the higher that margin will be in cash terms for the likes of Scottish Power. The bulk of the profit rises though is with the producers of the raw material as their costs have not risen markedly compared to the global wholesale price they can sell it for.
My mum is with Scottish Power and her fixed term finishes on Tuesday. The best new fixed rates offered to her are showing as £450+ a month.
Can that be right with the price cap? She is currently paying £150pcm. She is not running a cannabis farm either!
If you would like to go into the price cap, you do nothing, let your fixed contract expire, you then automatically get put onto their "standard" tariff, which is the price cap.