Vocal Voices

I see that Ofgem is still using the fictitious "average" home (the one that does not exist) for its price cap calculations. It says that the cap will reduce bills from £1,928 to £1,690 and the media plays along. It is nonsense.

Customers can spend what they like, be it more or less - there is no upper limit - no cap. It is the unit prices that matter. The new gas prices will be capped at 6p per kWh, and electricity at 24p per kWh. They compare to the current prices of 7.42p per kWh and 28.62p per kWh.

Last year my total energy bill came to £1,310.90p and that's some £600 less than the "cap". My forecast for this year is another £600, or more, below the cap.

However, they give with one hand and take with the other. Regular bill payers can now look forward to standing charges of 31p per day for gas and 60p for electricity - depending upon where you live, and don't forget the new £28 per year we all get to pay for the debts of those who will not pay.

I read yesterday that the wholesale price of gas is now at 2018 levels; but the bills certainly aren't!

Tbh I don't really take much notice of gas/electric prices, it is what it is and like it or lump it we don't have much control about it. What I really do object to is being expected to pick up the tab for those who don't pay. My view is the power companies should be picking up the slack, not the general public who pay their bills on time.

Does the price increase apply to shops, offices and industrial units.

Be interesting to see what Amazon who have several large warehouses are charged and if the price of their energy is increased like domestic customers.

If not why not.

Unless you are able to, can afford to and want to, take yourself off grid, then paying what they demand is simply the way it is.

In France about 20% of my bill is made up of "climate" charges. Yet my bill is already quite large due to the size of the place.

To put it into perspective, our house could easily host 10 bedrooms if we chose to configure it that way. More if you made them into modern double sizes. #1 daughter has a double in her 4 bed. You could fit 3 of them in our master bedroom.

So we are heating a lot more space.

Workingman wrote:I see that Ofgem is still using the fictitious "average" home (the one that does not exist) for its price cap calculations. It says that the cap will reduce bills from £1,928 to £1,690 and the media plays along. It is nonsense.

However, they give with one hand and take with the other. Regular bill payers can now look forward to standing charges of 31p per day for gas and 60p for electricity - depending upon where you live, and don't forget the new £28 per year we all get to pay for the debts of those who will not pay.

My electricity standing charge is going up to a larcenous 63.331p a day

Ossie, I have a spreadsheet. I know, I know.

I am currently using, on average, £1.12 per day for electricity. That's lighting, showers and clothes washing. Almost two thirds of my costs for electricity are standing charges. It's criminal as far as I am concerned. SCs should never be more than usage.

Ossie, the standing charges are a disgrace

They are daylight robbery, and they should be abolished.