[smudgie]

We are definitely softer now, comes with people having central heating.

Continental quilts help as well.

I can remember people piling their coats on top of the blankes to keep themselves warm in the seventies.
No winter fuel payments then either if I remember correctly.

Really bad side of loads of snow is that our daughter wont get home for Xmas.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by smudgie

We are definitely softer now, comes with people having central heating.

Continental quilts help as well.

I can remember people piling their coats on top of the blankes to keep themselves warm in the seventies.
No winter fuel payments then either if I remember correctly.

Really bad side of loads of snow is that our daughter wont get home for Xmas.

I remember that as a kid as well. where does your daughter live Smudgie?

[Vicky.]

I dont believe it. Every year we get these announcements right before the prices shoot up.

[Kizzy]

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?

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

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?

Well kind of 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.

[Vicky.]

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.

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

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.

I agree with this.

[MTVN]

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

[Vicky.]

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?

[Kazanne]

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

[Redway]

[Kizzy]

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.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

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.

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

[MTVN]

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..

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by MTVN

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..

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...

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

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...

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

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by MTVN

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

The green taxes are not the issue here, stick to the point... Are you a politician?

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

The green taxes are not the issue here, stick to the point... Are you a politician?

Well they are an issue if they add to energy bills

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by MTVN

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..

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.

[Cherie]

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.

[Me. I Am Salman]

moral of the story: just wear an extra jumper

[Lee.]

This is so depressing

[Vicky.]

What the bloody hell is fracking?

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

What the bloody hell is fracking?

Not completely sure of the ins and outs of it lol, but it's like drilling deep into the earth to get gas from shale rock, been used a lot in America which has got them cheaper prices but the environmentalists are dead against it

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14432401

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Not completely sure of the ins and outs of it lol, but it's like drilling deep into the earth to get gas from shale rock, been used a lot in America which has got them cheaper prices but the environmentalists are dead against it

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14432401

If you don't know what it is or the implications of it why are you saying you welcome it?
Best to educate yourself on things before you decide to champion them.
It's not just environmentalists that oppose it but geologists too.