Stop replying to things that I haven't actually said please.

You started going down the food aid route well that's a branch too far out for this topic IMO, we were discussing weather, you brought up the fuel costs point in connection with the weather and I replied to that but I'm sure if you want to start a thread about food aid then members will be happy to discuss it with you.

As for the thread topic, bring on the snow I say :love:

..yeah, driving in the ice/snow is something I don't like and especially on small country roads which don't always get gritted/salted before you leave for work...

I was quite surprised when I moved back to my home village last year in that the gritters are out constantly at even the slightest sight of frost never mind snow, they even have men walking up and down the sidewalks here shovelling grit to keep the paths clear and then when it does snow the farmers join in to keep the place gritted.

I think that probably has something to do with this village being on the news a few years back because people were snowed in for days though but the comparison from where I used to live is shocking.

Most only had heating downstairs then as the hearth was the home as it were.
I remember it being freezing upstairs and warm downstairs, my dad yelling 'shut that door'!
to keep the heat in.
Continental quilts, candlewicks, hot water bottles, electric blankets, bedsocks, thermal vests, longjohns and nightcaps...
They were all great!
Are we then suggesting that for some they go back to living in one room as they are being held to ransom by the big 6, or is it just a case of needs must?

There is a proven causal link, and my posts followed the natural progression of the topic.
This is in serious debates, if you want a fluffy thread about snow move it to chat and games.

Tbh, I am extremely sympathetic to the vulnerable. However I dont see how people will die because they can't afford to heat their home. OAPs, disabled and those on low incomes get 150 quid off their energy bills via whatever company they are with for the winter months. And Also get cold weather payments. I believe thats another 200 or so quid for OAPs/disabled...though only 20 quid per week that its below 0 for low income families with kids.

How about you just go find a thread that's all doom and gloom if that keeps you happy, this thread wont be getting moved just because it's not serious enough for you Kizzy.

I agree with this.

Think about the poor buggers in places like Siberia, now that would be freeze to death territory

The only way older people cannot afford to heat their homes, by my reckoning, taking into account the amount they are given to do so...is if they spend it on other things instead of heat..and whos fault is that? :shrug:

If it's really bad I can see the down side ,schools will close etc,having the knock on effect of people not being able to work,but if councils etc was to do their jobs properly I'm sure we could enjoy a few inches:hugesmile:

:amazed:

Fine, as long as you don't try censor me as to what direction I take the conversation.
Nobody is duty bound to respond are they? I'm just having my say.

Well kind of :joker: I'm just saying we are probably all a little bit "too used" to having central heating and maybe we should turn it off, at least that way we regain a bit of control over what we spend. We cannot change the pricing structure, the government aren't going to force prices down and Labour will only freeze what is already in place so we got to do it in our own small way I think.

I'm saying that the government could and should intervene, they did in the banks, housing and trains?...
Why is this any different? because it only affects the vulnerable, and nobody cares enough about them, thats how I see it.

..yeah, I think also there's often more inclement weather in the North and Scotland, so they probably prepare better for it than they do here...it isn't actually too bad because they do have the gritters out at night as well but not always, especially when it's come more unexpectedly at the very beginning of the ice/snow periods we have..I do love it and I love 'snow days' lol..but not so much those days when it's just a little bit and icy or black ice on the roads...I like it when there's lots..if it's going to snow, let it snow..lol...

Yes of course they should but we have to be realistic here, it is unlikely they will, except maybe in election year.

Things like gas prices are determined by international markets though, and tbh if the companies knew a freeze was coming they would just push up prices before it..

moral of the story: just wear an extra jumper

This is so depressing :bored:

Well not really. Hikes are put down to being because of that, but you never see prices go down when the wholesale price comes down...

Yes they go down as well as up, has there ever been a reduction in gas prices?
Are their profit margins ever affected by this flux.... no.
Yes I see them jumping for joy at the prospect of another harsh winter, can they explain why when oil has risen 4% the bills rise 10%.... no.

I saw some bod from SS blaming the government for making them pay for cavity wall insulation for customers, and also the green taxes. So if you didn't get your "free" cavity wall insulation get it because you are paying for it anyway.

But that's the reason prices have been on a steady increase over the last few years, because we import so much now we're a lot more exposed to global markets, doesn't help that there's loads of green taxes on energy bills these days either

This is why we should encourage fracking imo

What the bloody hell is fracking? :conf: