Cost of living crisis - practical advice, signposting & ideas: heating & eating etc.

[IlonaM]

'Can you apply for pension credit? It’s key to help with rising energy costs'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/aug/26/can-you-apply-for-pension-credit-its-key-to-help-with-rising-energy-costs

[IlonaM]

Useful article in today's Independent: 'October 2024 benefit and pension payment dates for cost of living support

All the essential cost of living information you need'

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dwp-cost-of-living-payments-uk-pip-universal-credit-b2617289.html

[IlonaM]

A reminder for advice on fixed energy deals:  https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/are-there-any-cheap-fixed-energy-deals-currently-worth-it/ - updated to 27/09/2024

[IlonaM]

'The average domestic energy bill is set to fall by 1% in January in a glimmer of good news for households, according to experts.

Energy consultancy Cornwall Insight said it expects the typical household’s energy bill to drop to an annual £1,697 a year from January 1 from the £1,717 cap that takes effect from October 1.

Prices are also forecast to fall slightly in both the second and third quarters of next year.'

https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/energy-price-cap-predicted-to-fall-in-january-in-glimmer-of-hope-for-households-b1184970.html

[IlonaM]

Guardian article 1st Oct 2024: 'Starmer urged to help households as energy bills rise by £149 a year

Resolution Foundation research shows 7.7m households likely to struggle to heat homes this winter'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/oct/01/starmer-urged-to-help-households-as-energy-bills-rise-by-149-a-year

[jazzer]

He does not care, totally against what he said before the election, one word sums up the man, hypocrite 

[malumbu]

Explain please?  What would you cut in order to help people with their bills, education, social care, NHS etc.?  Silly making sweeping statements.  And you've got them for another 4 3/4 years so get used to it. 

here's some practical advice - good seals for your doors and windows: https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-10m-P-Profile-Rubber-Draught-Seal---White/p/210821?gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMAX Shopping - Monthly Event&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6oi4BhD1ARIsAL6pox13XsaMRYEWdpF5qwtmU6sxr_vkq8UWLSbCpEXgCwvnEgH79-UuF70aAr7kEALw_wcB

And this for wooden windows: https://www.toolstation.com/stormguard-brush-pile/p23638?store=null&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&mkwid=_dc&pcrid=null&pkw=null&pmt=null&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6oi4BhD1ARIsAL6pox0tfHedHamhpKNr9mqptCbqFWBZZTo_lpwRiI8vFG33Y7mprW-4bHsaAk8kEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Also insulate and seal your letter box

Lots of heat can be lost through your front door, so a thick curtain behind works

[jazzer]

Expressed an opinion and you're all over me like a rash. seems once again anyone who disagrees with you gets negated. 

Today, when questioned by Beth Rigby about the budget, Starmer had the silliest grin, almost smirking, knowing just exactly how people would suffer in the budget from this coming Wednesday. If you've got any savings expect to be taxed even more. The Starmageden budget will "hurt" lots of people, no one will be smiling on Wednesday afternoon, apart from Starmer, Reeves and Rayner.  

Edited October 25, 2024 by jazzer

[IlonaM]

Guys, this is an informational thread not one for de bate. Please move your debate to the Lounge.

 Many thanks.

[malumbu]

On 25/10/2024 at 17:49, IlonaM said:

Guys, this is an informational thread not one for de bate. Please move your debate to the Lounge.

 Many thanks.

Deleted the first line questioning the previous post, leaving copious advice on saving money.  MHG.  😃

[malumbu]

This comes up on YouTube - the sort of only an idiot would not buy this

It's a electric ceramic heater that is apparently far cheaper than central heating.  I expect that it defies the law of physics, akin to cold fusion.  But anyone know any more?

https://lumiheat.com/

[IlonaM]

Guardian article: 'Britons warned to expect ‘disappointing’ rise in energy bills in January

Price cap for Great Britain forecast to rise to £1,736 a year for average dual-fuel bill, according to Cornwall Insights'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/nov/18/energy-bills-rise-in-january-price-cap-great-britain-dual-fuel-bill

[IlonaM]

Guardian article today: 'Energy suppliers to spend £500m to cushion pain of rising bills

Exclusive: Government helps to broker deal involving 12 suppliers following winter fuel payment cuts'

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/nov/20/energy-suppliers-spend-500m-cushion-pain-winter-fuel-payments-cut

[IlonaM]

Increase in cap confirmed by Ofgem: 'Average annual energy bill to rise to £1,738 in Great Britain from January

Increase in energy price cap by Ofgem follows 10% rise for current quarter, heaping more pressure on households'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/nov/22/average-annual-energy-bill-rise-to-great-britain-january-enegry-price-cap-ofgem

And, Martin Lewis advice:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/martin-lewis-energy-price-cap-ofgem-bills-b2651772.html

Edited November 22, 2024 by IlonaM

[IlonaM]

Article in today's Standard: 'Food prices set to rise almost 5% next year in new cost of living squeeze
Supermarket prices will have shot up by 40% from 2020 to 2025 warns industry body in major threat to living standards'

https://www.standard.co.uk/business/food-prices-inflation-cost-of-living-budget-national-insurance-b1199560.html

[IlonaM]

Guardian article from Thursday - 'British energy firms told to offer ‘zero’ standing charge tariff by next winter

Ofgem aims to provide choice as Martin Lewis describes daily fees as a ‘poll tax’ on gas and electricity bills'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/dec/12/british-energy-firms-zero-standing-charge-tariff-ofgem-martin-lewis

[jazzer]

Suspect that will result in the unit cost increasing as the standing charge is incorporated into it. I have no objection to paying a standing charge but not at the current exorbitant rates, when in effect the standing charge now covers those who won't or can't pay their bills.  Utterly unfair. 

[Jellybeanz]

Anyone elderly worried about losing Winter Fuel Allowance can apply for pension credit at www.gov.uk/pension-credit, call 0800 99 1234 or print a form at www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim

Warm spaces open to all at:

Albrighton Community Centre (Dog Kennel Hill)

Dulwich Leisure Centre 

Dulwich Library 

Kingswood Library 

Kingswood Arts

Grove Library 

Walworth Library/Southwark Heritage Centre

Camberwell Leisure Centre 

Camberwell Library 

Nunhead Library 

Nunhead's Voice

Pecan (Peckham)

South London Mission

Canada Water Library 

John Harvard Library 

The Spring Community Hub

Una Marson Library 

Blue Anchor Library 

Brandon Library 

Southwark Park sports and athletics centre 

The Castle Centre 

Pembroke House

Livesey Exchange by Pempeople

Southwark community fridges OPEN TO ALL - offering advice and support as well as free food:

Albrighton Community Centre (Dog Kennel Hill SE22 - Camberwell community fridge)

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (not open Wednesdays or weekends): opening times 1-3pm

020 7737 6186

Additional support from. Citizens Advice worker on Mondays 1-3pm

Dawson Heights community fridge:

Dawson Heights community hall, Badlands, Dawson Heights on Overhill Road SE22 0PP

Wednesdays 3.30-5pm 

Call Amy 07590 962 246

Or email [email protected]

The Fridge Project at The Bridge (73-81 Southwark Bridge Road, Borough SE1 0NQ)

Wednesdays and Thursdays 8am-5pm

Fridays 8am-2pm

www.thebridge-uk.org/fridge

Tel 020 7089 6250

Or email [email protected]

[Pugwash]

Christ Church Barry Road has a Warm Hub for over 55s 10 am - Noon on Wednesday. Free drink and snack (toast/teacake/crumpet etc)

[IlonaM]

Key dates from the Guardian: 'Energy caps to stamp duty changes: your personal finance diary for January-April 2025'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/dec/31/energy-caps-to-stamp-duty-changes-your-personal-finance-diary-for-january-april-2025

[Azalea]

On 28/12/2024 at 16:37, Pugwash said:

Christ Church Barry Road has a Warm Hub for over 55s 10 am - Noon on Wednesday. Free drink and snack (toast/teacake/crumpet etc)

I feel like this type of info should  be pinned, and especially when it’s cold, perhaps here and on the first page of this forum.  The informative post by Jellybeanz above could be included.

Edited January 9 by Azalea

[Sue]

On 12/11/2024 at 22:51, malumbu said:

This comes up on YouTube - the sort of only an idiot would not buy this

It's a electric ceramic heater that is apparently far cheaper than central heating.  I expect that it defies the law of physics, akin to cold fusion.  But anyone know any more?

https://lumiheat.com/

Has anyone here bought one of these?

Malumbu?

Does it do what it says? 

I just have the rad on in whatever room I'm in, if I'm in there for a while  (I move the  thermostat around with me and turn the rads on and off as appropriate),  but this sounds like possibly a better solution, if it works and is actually cheaper.

Also a temporary backup should something go wrong with the boiler.

It sounds rather dangerous if people are using one in the bathroom though? I have my bathroom rad permanently on, so it heats up whenever the boiler is on to heat another room.

[IlonaM]

Guardian article: 'Average annual energy bill to rise to £1,849 in Great Britain from April

Ofgem’s bigger than expected £111 rise is third consecutive increase in energy price cap'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/feb/25/average-annual-energy-bill-great-britain-energy-price-cap-gas-electricity-charges

[Sue]

12 minutes ago, IlonaM said:

Guardian article: 'Average annual energy bill to rise to £1,849 in Great Britain from April

Ofgem’s bigger than expected £111 rise is third consecutive increase in energy price cap'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/feb/25/average-annual-energy-bill-great-britain-energy-price-cap-gas-electricity-charges

Places like the MoneySavingExpert website have been advising people to switch to a fixed rate tariff for ages, for this reason.

Most of them have closed now.

If you are an existing  Octopus customer,  I think they still have their fixed tariff option open to change to, if you aren't already on it.

I took my eye off the ball so I missed what were probably better deals, but I was able to change to the Octopus one at least, as I was already with them.

Edited February 25 by Sue