Energy Providers

[MooseBreath]

SSE clearly stated that rising cost of buying wholesale energy was a factor, and I'd say the implication is that it's the main factor . . The cost of wholesale energy is pretty much the same as it was in Aug 09, so they are lying about that .It even dipped in the intervening years . Don't you agree about that at least ?

Yes, I agree, it looks a bit dodgy. But between the interenational market we're part of, the various private and public power stations that provide for that market, the national grid who look after some of the infrastructure, and the likes of SSE who send us our bills, I really have no idea where the main price drivers are and who or what is in control. With such a lack of transparency it's hard to tell whether these companies are taking us for a ride or not.

[Rincewind]

I should qualify for it as I'm over 60 and on PC. I wonder how many people know about it who are struggling? OAP, disabled child benefit etc. I'll pass the info onto people that I know that give this sort of advice out but I would think rgey are aware of it.

I also qualify for a winter fuel payment. The snag, if it can be called that, is that the outside temperature has to fall below a certain rate for I think is five consecutive days. Then you get £10. WOW. Still better than being urinated on.

[MooseBreath]

I should qualify for it as I'm over 60 and on PC. I wonder how many people know about it who are struggling? OAP, disabled child benefit etc. I'll pass the info onto people that I know that give this sort of advice out but I would think rgey are aware of it.

I also qualify for a winter fuel payment. The snag, if it can be called that, is that the outside temperature has to fall below a certain rate for I think is five consecutive days. Then you get £10. WOW. Still better than being urinated on.

So you get well over £100 more of tax payers money for doing fvck all and you feel comfortable being sarcastic about it?

Classy, Ken, real classy.

[Ross-Kemp]

I should qualify for it as I'm over 60 and on PC. I wonder how many people know about it who are struggling? OAP, disabled child benefit etc. I'll pass the info onto people that I know that give this sort of advice out but I would think rgey are aware of it.

I also qualify for a winter fuel payment. The snag, if it can be called that, is that the outside temperature has to fall below a certain rate for I think is five consecutive days. Then you get £10. WOW. Still better than being urinated on.

The benefits offices should be making everyone aware who is eligible.

Depending upon your circumstances (owned house / privately renting) you may be eligible for free loft and cavity wall insulation and a new boiler.

[Jon the Hat]

 

SSE 

"It added that the rise reflected higher costs of buying wholesale energy and paying to deliver it to customers' homes, plus government levies".

 

 

 

i really can't see how that adds up as the  wholesale price is about the same as it was in Aug 09 so they are lying about that at least 

 

 

That might be the spot price though, they have to buy forward often several years to guarantee supply.

[Zingari]

That might be the spot price though, they have to buy forward often several years to guarantee supply.

Yeah right , of course it is

I think you'll find any excuse for privatised companies to rip us off . 

I'm pretty sure you'd have a different perspective if this was still a nationalised industry.You'd be using this as incontrovertible evidence of corruption , incompetence , inefficiency or greed etc etc 

 But I doubt if you'll ever admit it 

 

Ideological intransigence at it's very best.    

[danny.]

I'm with npower fixed 'til 2015 - it's a giant rip off tho, we used to pay literally 60% of what we do now just a few years ago

[Smudge]

Yeah right , of course it is

I think you'll find any excuse for privatised companies to rip us off . 

I'm pretty sure you'd have a different perspective if this was still a nationalised industry.You'd be using this as incontrovertible evidence of corruption , incompetence , inefficiency or greed etc etc 

 But I doubt if you'll ever admit it 

 

Ideological intransigence at it's very best.    

Having a nationalized industry would just lead to corruption, incompetence, inefficiency and greed etc.

[Zingari]

Having a nationalized industry would just lead to corruption, incompetence, inefficiency and greed etc.

yes yes of course   and there's none o' that stuff in multi national industries or the privatised utilities etc  , oh no siree .

They're all  saintly 

 

What about  the post office ?Don't you think it has a pretty damn good record ?

[Rincewind]

No corruption in private industry? Mmmm interesting concept.

[Mr.X]

I should qualify for it as I'm over 60 and on PC. I wonder how many people know about it who are struggling? OAP, disabled child benefit etc. I'll pass the info onto people that I know that give this sort of advice out but I would think rgey are aware of it.

I also qualify for a winter fuel payment. The snag, if it can be called that, is that the outside temperature has to fall below a certain rate for I think is five consecutive days. Then you get £10. WOW. Still better than being urinated on.

I'm a bit confused, your profile says you were born in 1984, so how can you be over 60 ?

[Smudge]

yes yes of course   and there's none o' that stuff in multi national industries or the privatised utilities etc  , oh no siree .

They're all  saintly 

 

What about  the post office ?Don't you think it has a pretty damn good record ?

I agree, of course corruption and greed is prevalent in private industry but that's human trait rather than an aspect of some ideology.

 

You're asking me to speak to the Royal Mail, which I know nothing about. However, I would imagine that the demise of the letter post has been offset by an increase of shipped goods from Amazon, Ebay and the like. Anytime you can get an improved income stream without increasing overheads is a huge latch lifter.

 

That success, if I am correct in saying so, has nothing to do with it being a government run entity, it would have happened if it had been private. UPS and Fedex have also seen improved revenues although I suspect the USPS and Royal Mail have been eating into those incomes.

[Zingari]

I agree, of course corruption and greed is prevalent in private industry but that's human trait rather than an aspect of some ideology.

 

You're asking me to speak to the Royal Mail, which I know nothing about. However, I would imagine that the demise of the letter post has been offset by an increase of shipped goods from Amazon, Ebay and the like. Anytime you can get an improved income stream without increasing overheads is a huge latch lifter.

 

That success, if I am correct in saying so, has nothing to do with it being a government run entity, it would have happened if it had been private. UPS and Fedex have also seen improved revenues although I suspect the USPS and Royal Mail have been eating into those incomes.

Yes of course it's a human trait , and I doubt if there's a ha'p'orth of difference between the greed , corruption and incompetence levels in companies of this magnitude. 

I just feel there should be a balance between private and public ownership with some industries better in private hands and some in public hands .I think old MacMillan had it about right calling them the "family silver"

I still maintain the utilities such as Gas Water and Electricity were better ( even if only marginally)  under public ownership  . We actually owned them and the profits went into the public coffers . I felt they were more easily scrutinised and transparent and I'm worried about who actually owns these things now and how they could be used in the future against us .( okay it may sound paranoid  )

I'm less concerned about the other sell offs such as rail ,steel ,telecom etc and I'd probably agree they could be better now , but in reality i'm not too concerned about them .

I just think for too many people have a very dogmatic and stubborn  approach to both and seem to doggedly refuse to see any fault  according to whichever they believe is the ideal . 

Quite honestly it's like a feckin religious creed to some people.  

 

anyway i've probably banged on enough about it now   

[Rincewind]

It's finding the right people to run them that's the problem.

 

Someone said something yesterday in a conversation which sort of made sense regarding right people in charge.

 

The teachers that would make the best headteachers would rather be just teachers and the same with nurses who would rather nurse than be on the management side of things.

 

Most will probably disagree with me.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

With Southern Electricity, and got my letter today. Goes up on November 15th, by about eight and a half per cent here in the South, and by seven per cent up North.

Their letter states that they will only make £2 profit on each quarterly bill, if that can be believed.

[Rincewind]

They missed a nought off. They can only afford a min wage typist.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

They missed a nought off. They can only afford a min wage typist.

Doesn't it make you feel sorry for the poor old energy companies , Ken?

[Mr.X]

''British Gas to raise prices by 9.2%''http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24562930

 

Soon npower who I use will no doubt raise their prices. It's mad

[Mr.X]

David Cameron: British Gas customers should switch supplier following price hike http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/household-bills/10385795/David-Cameron-British-Gas-customers-should-switch-supplier-following-price-hike.html

Bloody hell I almost feel sorry for British Gas, because this will no doubt have a very negative effect on BG - or maybe it wont?

[leicsmac]

David Cameron: British Gas customers should switch supplier following price hike http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/household-bills/10385795/David-Cameron-British-Gas-customers-should-switch-supplier-following-price-hike.html

Bloody hell I almost feel sorry for British Gas, because this will no doubt have a very negative effect on BG - or maybe it wont?

 

Nah it won't, all the others will follow BG's lead soon enough. Cartel rules apply.

[Guest MattP]

Nah it won't, all the others will follow BG's lead soon enough. Cartel rules apply.

 

Wasn't it a tremendous idea to tell the Cartel you are going to freeze their prices in 2 years when you get to power?

 

I mean who would have thought this would happen.

[leicsmac]

Wasn't it a tremendous idea to tell the Cartel you are going to freeze their prices in 2 years when you get to power?

 

I mean who would have thought this would happen.

 

Yeah, fantastic idea, wasn't it? Such a move isn't going to inflame things at all, is it?

 

If you're actually going to clean the industry up wholesale, it might not be a good idea to give the aforementioned industry notice that you're doing it. Things like this tend to happen.

 

Especially when the politicians are a.) Unable to enforce the cleanup and b.) In bed with the companies anyway.

[Mr.X]

Nah it won't, all the others will follow BG's lead soon enough. Cartel rules apply.

I think you're right

[Guest MattP]

It's the Bankers I feel sorry for.

 

Imagine seeing a 10% increase when you have three or four houses to heat.

[RobHawk]

Wasn't it a tremendous idea to tell the Cartel you are going to freeze their prices in 2 years when you get to power?

 

I mean who would have thought this would happen.

 

To be fair its not like it made a blind bit of difference! October every year the prices are raised by an extortionate amount! 

 

Lets be honest, privatising utility suppliers hasn't worked, the only competition there is is to see who will put their prices up first and who can make the most money.