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""""It's some years since we were self sufficient in oil or gas. It's almost certain that, with a privatised utility model, the attraction of cheap imported gas trumped investment in more difficult fields in the North Sea."""
We are actually exporting gas to the near continent so they are presumably paying more for gas than the UK. As regards importing gas from Russia well this country has long been unstable and for the UK to be almost dependant on this without any contingencies is very poor planning. It is hard to understand the decision on fracking which now looks dead in the water. Our electric supply also appears to be on a knife edge for the foreseeable future. It is good fortune that we are having at least in the south another very mild winter. The £40 a year relief to energy bills of some £700 increase is but a complicated token. Consumers paying £2k a year will pay £100 VAT! I very much doubt if we will ever get back to where we were.
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We are actually exporting gas to the near continent so they are presumably paying more for gas than the UK. As regards importing gas from Russia well this country has long been unstable and for the UK to be almost dependant on this without any contingencies is very poor planning. It is hard to understand the decision on fracking which now looks dead in the water. Our electric supply also appears to be on a knife edge for the foreseeable future. It is good fortune that we are having at least in the south another very mild winter. The £40 a year relief to energy bills of some £700 increase is but a complicated token. Consumers paying £2k a year will pay £100 VAT! I very much doubt if we will ever get back to where we were.
If we export indigenous natural gas then it's small quantities, probably at times when production exceeds demand. Our private sector gas industry took a view that storage was no longer economic - the Rough offshore storage facility was not maintained/replaced and gasometers have all but disappeared.
Some imported Liquified Natural Gas, we don't produce our own, may be re-sold and exported.
Very little of our gas comes from Russia but mainland Europe, particularly Germany, is a heavy user. If Russia, or Ukraine, turn off the taps then that demand will place further upward pressure on prices.
The fact that VAT on £2k worth of gas/electric is only £100 tells us it's a drop in the ocean.
OTOH if various 'green levies', including those paying people on legacy set ups huge sums for solar panels, were removed from bills there would be a significant drop. There's little logic in people struggling to keep pre-pay meters topped up paying levies to people who own their own roofs and can afford solar panels more per unit than the price for retail sales.
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We all know who to blame for rising fuel costs. And nobody voted Carrie Johnson into any elected position!
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"We all know who to blame for rising fuel costs. And nobody voted Carrie Johnson into any elected position!"
I don't know what point you're making. Is there a connection between these two statements?
Are you being facetious?
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We'll be in Spain for a couple of months from the end of this month. One of the (many) benefits of Brexit is fewer 'down on their luck' British pensioner expats complaining about prices and having 'the lowest pension in Europe' (conveniently forgetting all the other benefits they can get back in the UK). This is usually said with a cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other!
Despite energy costs and inflation I read that airports are packed and my friends in the UK tell me good restaurants are booked solid. Its all about priorities and making good life decisions. From April 1st we have increased the rents on our properties and have received the inevitable complaints from tenants. One couple (both teachers) complained about the revised rent but in the same email let slip that they are planning a holiday in Florida!
Work hard, invest wisely and make sensible life decisions and you'll be fine.
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Work hard, invest wisely and make sensible life decisions and you'll be fine.
Very easy to say if like you, the increased costs in energy/fuel/food etc won't affect you. Many people who do work hard are going to find all the extra costs very difficult to deal with.
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Work hard, invest wisely and make sensible life decisions and you'll be fine.
Very easy to say if like you, the increased costs in energy/fuel/food etc won't affect you. Many people who do work hard are going to find all the extra costs very difficult to deal with.
In a local paper I saw an iinterview with someone who complained that he would have to cut down from 7 pints of beer to 4 because of cost of living increases.
He also stated that he doesn't work, but subsists on benefits.
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The genuinely needy are very few and far between in the UK. As a landlord I have had to visit tenants who have claimed to be struggling. But I've observed that they have an iPhone, branded trainers, Sky subscription etc etc. Unfortunately this doesn't fit with the Left's narrative....
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The genuinely needy are very few and far between in the UK.
That's simply not true.
Do you, as a landlord, rent to DWP or keep your rents at LHA level?
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Far too many people fail to register in their minds that when they reach mid to late 60s that retirement day has come around.
They have maybe bumped along the bottom all of their lives and never had any money in their hand at the end of the month. This might be due to illness, unemployment, unemployable or just living for the moment and spending every penny (+ borrowed money) on living.
Retirement comes as shock as the State Pension means a "lean time" not just now but for the next 20/30 years.
The population that do not have any money "in a Rainy Day Fund" is astounding - just look at their position today - large gas & electric bills, food going up in price as are most things.
Money Education, in the last years of School, might be a good topic.
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Work hard, invest wisely and make sensible life decisions and you'll be fine.
Very easy to say if like you, the increased costs in energy/fuel/food etc won't affect you. Many people who do work hard are going to find all the extra costs very difficult to deal with.
In a local paper I saw an iinterview with someone who complained that he would have to cut down from 7 pints of beer to 4 because of cost of living increases.
He also stated that he doesn't work, but subsists on benefits.
They can't make a story out of people who are going to genuinely struggle so an interview like that gets the clicks/reads the paper needs.
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"""The population that do not have any money "in a Rainy Day Fund" is astounding - just look at their position today - large gas & electric bills, food going up in price as are most things.
Yes but are they the ""wise ones"" the state tops up their pension to a ""liveable rate "" and they do not have assets for the state to rob if you need to go into a care home i.e. your life savings and your house which most would like to leave to they children which has been the meaning of life for most.
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Work hard, invest wisely and make sensible life decisions and you'll be fine.
Very easy to say if like you, the increased costs in energy/fuel/food etc won't affect you. Many people who do work hard are going to find all the extra costs very difficult to deal with.
In a local paper I saw an iinterview with someone who complained that he would have to cut down from 7 pints of beer to 4 because of cost of living increases.
He also stated that he doesn't work, but subsists on benefits.
They can't make a story out of people who are going to genuinely struggle so an interview like that gets the clicks/reads the paper needs.
Alan, you are back in your default mode of disagreeing or picking fault with posts on any topic.
Life is too short to be perpetually grumpy, I find.
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Work hard, invest wisely and make sensible life decisions and you'll be fine.
Very easy to say if like you, the increased costs in energy/fuel/food etc won't affect you. Many people who do work hard are going to find all the extra costs very difficult to deal with.
In a local paper I saw an iinterview with someone who complained that he would have to cut down from 7 pints of beer to 4 because of cost of living increases.
He also stated that he doesn't work, but subsists on benefits.
They can't make a story out of people who are going to genuinely struggle so an interview like that gets the clicks/reads the paper needs.
Alan, you are back in your default mode of disagreeing or picking fault with posts on any topic.
Life is too short to be perpetually grumpy, I find.
I'd stop being grumpy if you find life too short that way - persoanlly I'm not a grumpy type of person and not sure how my post was grumpy? Just pointing out a lot of news stories are looking to get clicks/reads and not interested in talking to people who genuinely need help.
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One of the (many) benefits of Brexit is fewer 'down on their luck' British pensioner expats complaining about prices and having 'the lowest pension in Europe' ...
I find it faintly amusing that one who claims to find so many benefits from Brexit seems to spend more time abroad than in the UK. Doesn't seem to add up, somehow. And if the benefit described is the best you can find, it confirms my suspicion that they are fairly marginal.
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I find it faintly amusing that one who claims to find so many benefits from Brexit seems to spend more time abroad than in the UK. Doesn't seem to add up, somehow. And if the benefit described is the best you can find, it confirms my suspicion that they are fairly marginal.
Not sure why it 'doesn't seem to add up' ? Perhaps because it does not fit the Remainer narrative of Brexit supporters as being working class xenophobes who don't travel? In fact my experience of UK expats is that they are MORE likely to be in favour of Brexit than the general population at home. One of my expat friends here in Thailand, Frank, a fiery Glaswegian who is ex-military, is the most fervent Brexiter I have ever met. Possibly this is because expats can often better see the big picture from afar. We see EU Socialism working to undermine European (and British) values, culture and beliefs.
I support Brexit because it delivers the best future for the UK. I spend around 8 months of the year outside the UK because we have no need to be there. We like warm weather and enjoy experiencing different foods and cultures. Our income from our property rentals affords us a comfortable standard of living. I spent 25 years working hard to get where I am now. No expensive leased car, no latest iPhone, no Sky or Netflix. I made my own coffee every morning. So many of those now pleading poverty have only themselves to blame - OAPs who spent a lifetime smoking, drinking and gambling without saving a penny. Younger people addicted to celebrity culture, coffee at £3.50 a cup and other non-essential 'must haves'. We make our own luck in life.
Edited by Rerepo on 11/04/2022 at 05:48
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As usual, there are two sides, those who planned for retirement and those who didn't.
I actually did NOT plan very much, but have sufficient via 2 pensions and property, so comfortable. My sister 76 gets the princely sum of about £450 every 4 weeks after being a housewife since marrying at 21..
We have neighbours who spend evry last penny, but have sky with all the premier league footy things, all i phones, all 5 of them...
Their choice. but after a recent op I asked if the 17 year old wanted to get paid for painting our garden fences, so he could pay for driving lessons.. No reply, prefers computer ganes in his bedroom.
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A relation of a relation did not seem to have much in the way of money - both worked.
In their 50s both sets of parents died within a short period - their share was said to be £300K ish. Did they buy a house instead of renting / Invest for the future? No
According to other relatives, they blew the lot in about 10 years on lots of holidays per year, new cars & drink (not necessarily in that order)
Aged 70+ now they have very little - no fancy holidays, no new cars but they still drink and reputedly were asking for handouts from close relatives!
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We see EU Socialism working to undermine European (and British) values, culture and beliefs.
I can't think of one value, culture or belief that the EU has prevented in the UK at any time the UK was in the EU. Can you?
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We see EU Socialism working to undermine European (and British) values, culture and beliefs.
I can't think of one value, culture or belief that the EU has prevented in the UK at any time the UK was in the EU. Can you?
I can, but I won't bother listing them as we will only re-run all the past debates, which won't change anyone's views.
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<< Not sure why it 'doesn't seem to add up' ? Perhaps because it does not fit the Remainer narrative of Brexit supporters as being working class xenophobes >>
For me it doesn't add up because you choose to spend most of your time outside the UK as you would rather be elsewhere. The main purpose of British nationality may be the NHS and a pension source. I know of a permanent expat (well pre-Brexit) who only returns to use the NHS.
I am sure plenty of people living near Dover might give you a few anti-Brexit points just now. So far I can only presume that Brexiteers worry obsessively about the threat of European federalism. If that is so, it would have made more sense to try to prevent it from inside. There are (were) plenty of advantages in the EU, now lost, as we are discovering.
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I am sure plenty of people living near Dover might give you a few anti-Brexit points just now. So far I can only presume that Brexiteers worry obsessively about the threat of European federalism. If that is so, it would have made more sense to try to prevent it from inside.
That is what we kept trying to do but gave it up as a hopeless task.
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"As a landlord I have had to visit tenants who have claimed to be struggling. But I've observed that they have an iPhone, branded trainers"
There are ways of acquiring goods without going into a store and paying for them!
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I am sure plenty of people living near Dover might give you a few anti-Brexit points just now. So far I can only presume that Brexiteers worry obsessively about the threat of European federalism. If that is so, it would have made more sense to try to prevent it from inside.
That is what we kept trying to do but gave it up as a hopeless task.
It's certainly hopeless from the outside.
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<< Not sure why it 'doesn't seem to add up' ? Perhaps because it does not fit the Remainer narrative of Brexit supporters as being working class xenophobes >>
For me it doesn't add up because you choose to spend most of your time outside the UK as you would rather be elsewhere. The main purpose of British nationality may be the NHS and a pension source. I know of a permanent expat (well pre-Brexit) who only returns to use the NHS.
How utterly bizarre to think that, 'the main purpose of British nationality may be the NHS and a pension source' ! FYI I am not yet old enough to draw a state pension. Moreover neither my wife nor I have used the NHS in many many years. Given that the NHS now represents the dying embers of a failed post-war Socialist experiment in healthcare, anyone who actually returns to the UK to use the NHS must be in pretty dire financial straits! Probably 'Bob, the retired bus driver from Bolton', trying to live as an expat in Spain on £600 a month! When in the UK we use private healthcare on a PAYG basis. When outside the UK we are covered by a good comprehensive health insurance policy ('April International').
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Given that the NHS now represents the dying embers of a failed post-war Socialist experiment in healthcare, anyone who actually returns to the UK to use the NHS must be in pretty dire financial straits!
Do you seriously believe the bit I've bolded or are you trolling?
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Given that the NHS now represents the dying embers of a failed post-war Socialist experiment in healthcare, anyone who actually returns to the UK to use the NHS must be in pretty dire financial straits!
Do you seriously believe the bit I've bolded or are you trolling?
I was sitting next to a man of my age, who was british, living in switzerland, and who had flown to the UK for major surgery, which would have cost him countless thousands, why, because he lived with his children, but had No medical insurance in geneva.
I refuse to believe that we are in the dying embers of an experiment.
I was successfully treated for covid and have had 2 unrelated major surgeries since, and my medical treatment was/is exemplary.
Again, I say, if people can't be bothered to save for the future in the good times, (and I mean those who could save ! )
The problem in th UK is Everyone wants everything free or cheap, be it food, cars, eating out or whatever.
Only a small pension increase, tough!
Go ahead and have your sky/pcp/lease/big holidays before thimking of the future, but no pity from me.
Yesterday one of the neighbours, a single mum came and mowed the lawn, paid her, will pay for her to paint my fences, she works, has a 15 year old daughter and does not waste money on frivolities, Her, I am prepared to help.
Rant Over !!
Edited by _ORB_ on 11/04/2022 at 17:48
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"""Only a small pension increase, tough!""
Sorry but I do not agree. I started this and reference to the original script is required.
Millions of people have contributed all their lives by their N.I. and for many it was the only pension available to them. Non of this contracting out malarkey to give yourself another pension. My original rant was that Rishi and his ilk had cocked up the energy markets and knew what was coming in view of increases and choose to take it out on some of the poorest pensioners. Some cannot simply find £700 increase on fuel with more to follow perhaps in October. I am somewhat pleased that the chap in charge and totally out of touch with society in general is having his and his wife's tax affairs exposed.
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<< My original rant was that Rishi and his ilk had cocked up the energy markets and knew what was coming ... >>
It's a bit harsh to blame Rishi for the rising cost of energy mainly caused by the lunatic in the Kremlin asylum. We will all have to pay gradually for Rishi's handouts which helped many people through lockdown and what followed.
One thing that should be done is to abolish the non-dom loophole which has been an anachronism for long enough, but of course many of those who need to get it through parliament are the ones who enjoy it.
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"... the rising cost of energy mainly caused by the lunatic in the Kremlin asylum."
Not true. The present government has tried to bend the narrative to deflect blame from their own short-sighted policies, but even the UK government (and other world governments) are not directly responsible for a world-wide surge in energy prices that started well before the war in Ukraine and was largely the result of the pandemic, one of the earliest effects of which was to shut down the world economy. Demand grew as the pandemic receded, but the capacity to meet that demand wasn't there.
Of course the war in Ukraine has made matters worse.
Edited by FP on 11/04/2022 at 23:57
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Of course the war in Ukraine has made matters worse.
It may have been the last straw, but fuel prices only started to rise rapidly after Putin's invasion began.
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"... fuel prices only started to rise rapidly after Putin's invasion began."
Let's look at some dates. The invasion of Ukraine: 24th February 2022.
The announcement that the cap on domestic energy prices would rise in early April was made at the beginning of February, showing that the true cost of fuel had risen dramatically before that. By the end of December 2021, a total of 28 energy companies had gone bust, because their business model could not cope with the high wholesale cost of energy, coupled with the government's price cap.
As regards motoring costs, a relatively low point for petrol/diesel was June 2020 - petrol 107p, diesel 112p. By November 2021 petrol was 148p, diesel 151p (av. figures, rounded to nearest whole number).
I sense you have an agenda here, but (though I absolutely detest what is happening in Ukraine) it's important to get the facts right. The Tory government is keen to deflect blame in many areas and though it's not solely responsible for the rise in domestic energy prices, things could have been managed much, much better.
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I sense you have an agenda here,
FP, I'm not aware of having even one agendum, never mind several - but I would love to know what you think they might be. It may help my voyage of self-discovery.
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"Agendum" is archaic. "Agenda", though a plural word in Latin, is accepted in current English as singular.
As for your agenda, I made the comment because you seemed keen to promote the idea that the war in Ukraine is or was responsible for the rises in fuel prices. This echoes the line put out by some from within the UK government. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seemed a reasonable assumption.
Best of luck in seeking enlightenment.
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"Agendum" is archaic. "Agenda", though a plural word in Latin, is accepted in current English as singular.
Best of luck in seeking enlightenment.
Sad that my humble attempt at flippancy only provoked a schoolmasterish effort to put me straight. Of course I am aware that data, agenda, errata (etc, Latin) and criteria (Greek) are prominent in today's vocabulary and are treated as singular nouns - which technically they are not. But never mind that.
By nature I am non-political, only participating at election time because it is expected of me, and it might just make a difference. So I bridle a bit at being accused of having 'an agenda'. If you feel able to argue that the invasion of Ukraine has had no effect on fuel prices, let's hear it. I suspect I may dislike our present govt as much as you seem to, and the sooner we get rid the better - but that raises the awkward question of who replaces them.
Edited by Andrew-T on 14/04/2022 at 15:45
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"""Only a small pension increase, tough!""
Sorry but I do not agree. I started this and reference to the original script is required.
Millions of people have contributed all their lives by their N.I. and for many it was the only pension available to them. Non of this contracting out malarkey to give yourself another pension.
Its ALWAYS been possible to 'give yourself another pension'. I ran my own small company for over 25 years. I invested much of the profit into land, property and the stock market. Its not difficult. For example, part of my 'pension' is a car park that I own in Lincoln. It delivers a healthy return. Money that is not in property is in US$-denominated ETFs and in a US$-denominated HSBC offshore account. I keep very little in GBP these days because its become too volatile. Its become easier and relatively cheap to move money between currencies (in my case GBP, USD, EUR and THB) - I use Wise.
As other posters have stated, far too many don't think about the future. Its all about swanning around in a German prestige car on £400/month lease or that latest middle-class status symbol - the electric car (on PCP) charging on the driveway. Add on Netflix, Disney+, Sky, iPhones for the family, gym membership and daily Starbucks and its easy to see why many struggle in retirement. No sympathy from me!
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Sammy, my quote was/is aimed at the following
Again, I say, if people can't be bothered to save for the future in the good times,
(and I mean those who could save ! )
I know it isn't easy for everyone to save.. my objection is those who do have an income who choose to park it on the drive, or dampen the wall with it, or do consumer things.
But the reality is, the higher the safety net, the more people will choose to fall into it.
Question,
How many of us on this forum took the winter fuel allowance? or the christmas bonus?
and have private pensions and good incomes.
Help for those who need it should be targeted to those in need not to those who waste what they have.
Edited by _ORB_ on 12/04/2022 at 06:41
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How many of us on this forum took the winter fuel allowance? or the Christmas bonus? ... and have private pensions and good incomes..
We did, but SWMBO immediately posted it to a charity of her choosing. I am fortunate to have worked for a company with a pension scheme which is still active although the company itself is long gone. We live comfortably on well under £30K a year.
As regards the scorn expressed for those who won't plan for their future, some may be a little irked to learn about anti-socialists who do, while partially financing their globetrotting lifestyles by (no doubt ungenerous) parking charges in provincial cities :-)
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As regards the scorn expressed for those who won't plan for their future, some may be a little irked to learn about anti-socialists who do, while partially financing their globetrotting lifestyles by (no doubt ungenerous) parking charges in provincial cities :-)
I couldn't tell you what the parking charges are at the car park I own. It is managed for me and I just see a transfer into my UK bank account every three months.
As for people being 'irked' by my 'globetrotting lifestyle' perhaps they would be less irked if they knew that I am UK resident for tax purposes. I pay full UK taxes on all my income and yet use virtually no UK public services. In fact because I am classed as an 'expat' I would pay fully 150% of the cost of any NHS treatment!! If I arrived on a dinghy from France, never having contributed a penny to the UK, all treatment would be free!
I started my own company over 25 years ago. I have paid a fortune in personal and business taxes. I also employed staff who paid taxes. I have generated literally millions in taxes and continue to pay UK taxes. Before making snide, envious, comments you should understand that its my taxes that are paying your benefits.
Also reflect on the fact that unless you are a private sector worker earning over about £25k you are actually taking more money out of the system than you put in. I often wonder how many teachers, nurses, policemen etc I have paid for (not to mention their gold plated pensions!). Private sector workers on mid-to-high salaries are actually the people keeping UK afloat!
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You sir are a troll and I claim my ten pounds!
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<< I couldn't tell you what the parking charges are at the car park I own. It is managed for me and I just see a transfer into my UK bank account every three months. >>
That's a comfortable way to avoid any possible worry about overcharging, passing any 'blame' to an agent - who quite possibly enjoys a similar escape ?
<< I started my own company over 25 years ago. I have paid a fortune in personal and business taxes. I also employed staff who paid taxes. I have generated literally millions in taxes and continue to pay UK taxes. Before making snide, envious, comments you should understand that its my taxes that are paying your benefits. >>
Well, good for you sir. I'm sure that is all the self-congratulation you require to counter any suggestion that you may have taken more from your customers than was truly merited.
I can also assure you that there is absolutely no envy on my side (or jealousy for that matter); and I tried hard not to appear snide, but if that is how you see it, so be it. And 'benefits' - I don't receive any except those available to all, and I don't expect any (yet) :-)
Edited by Andrew-T on 14/04/2022 at 18:11
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Given that the NHS now represents the dying embers of a failed post-war Socialist experiment in healthcare, anyone who actually returns to the UK to use the NHS must be in pretty dire financial straits!
Do you seriously believe the bit I've bolded or are you trolling?
Bromptonaut...
I am certainly not trolling. The NHS is a failure and the extent of the failure is becoming more and more obvious. My youngest daughter is a doctor in a Midlands hospital so I hear what goes on. The NHS is a mess. Its not just about the money. The NHS is a flawed concept. Pretty much every other developed nation delivers better healthcare. Even developing countries like Malaysia and Thailand can provide better. If you arrive on UK shores in a rubber dinghy then, yes, the NHS must seem wonderful. If arriving from a developed nation then not so much.....
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The NHS certainly has problems - too much spent on admin "paper pushers" and not enough on quality hospitals and front line staff.
NHS has it problems but what are the options? People cannot afford an extra £1,000 / year for heating are not going to have money for Health Insurance.
A son lives in Texas - his employer pays for his healthcare BUT he pays for his wife & 2 x kids - $1,000 per month deducted from his pay and the first $8,000 of costs in any year.
OK it is USA and expensive but even at £200 or £300 per month it would be impossible for most of the UK population to stump up
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The NHS is a failure and the extent of the failure is becoming more and more obvious.
How can you say such a load of nonsense. We are very lucky to live in a country that ensures that at a time of crisis the patient and their family are not forced to worry about finding the money for treatment or more importantly worrying what excuses their insurance provider will find not to pay.
In my 65 years on this planet family and friends treated by the NHS have been more than happy. I am currently under 2 consultants myself (one has been for 10 years now with 6 monthly visits and the other is likely to be long term and will hopefully discover any nasties in my bowel before they become a problem - 4 polyps removed last year).
Views like your sicken me. Hopefully when you need treatment you visit an expensive private hospital and save the NHS valuable resources.
A son lives in Texas
As for the USA there is a perfect example why private health care should never be forced on us in the UK. The rich can afford it but those who cannot are left with few options. Just remember when Obama tried to bring in a better system the rich stopped him.
No equality over there.
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According to the OECD figures, the UK spends a relatively large percentage of its GDP on healthcare, only exceeded by the US.
Health resources - Health spending - OECD Data
Edited by Brit_in_Germany on 12/04/2022 at 14:55
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"The NHS is a failure and the extent of the failure is becoming more and more obvious."
I can't comment on what happens inside the NHS. No doubt it is cumbersome and could be much more efficient. However, as a "consumer" or beneficiary of its health care, I have many reasons to be grateful it is there - prompt treatment for bowel cancer and thorough follow-up/surveillance afterwards being one of them, and forthcoming cataract surgery being another.
I'd be interested to know if, taking account the level of taxation in the UK (from which the NHS is funded), I would have been better off in Malaysia or Thailand.
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Thread drift, name calling. objection has been received.
Topic closed.
Please everyone, stay polite.
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