Cost of living increases

[southendkid]

British Gas have just advised that they are increasing my Direct Debit from £347.00 per month to an eye watering £440.00 per month, they do not seem to have taken into account that my account is already over £1,200.00 in credit.

Get in contact and tell them it's too high, it will strengthen your case if you've done the maths to prove it. If you've been in your house longer than a year find your old statements online and then check how much gas & electric you used last year (or better yet average it over several years), then apply it to the new formulas and work out how much you should be paying.

 

[Kat_r]

Lot of villages in Devon now being ruined by overdevelopment and they powerless to stop it or slow it down. Most the horrid boxy newbuilds look totally out of place against the older local properties and not priced affordably for locals at all but to attract the ‘Escape to the Country’ brigade. It’s very sad.

I get that. The housing numbers here are also eye watering and same. Very expensive so locals won’t get a look in. There’s a huge estate like it in wakering.

 

[Floval Flyer]

British Gas have just advised that they are increasing my Direct Debit from £347.00 per month to an eye watering £440.00 per month, they do not seem to have taken into account that my account is already over £1,200.00 in credit.

I was quoted similar. Cancelled my DD and just paying for what i use.

 

[Kat_r]

Lot of villages in Devon now being ruined by overdevelopment and they powerless to stop it or slow it down. Most the horrid boxy newbuilds look totally out of place against the older local properties and not priced affordably for locals at all but to attract the ‘Escape to the Country’ brigade. It’s very sad.

Also happened on my street. Old bungalow ripped down for nasty orange houses. Can’t say they are boxes but out of keeping. Really want to get to another area but as I said I’m worried because of things that you mentioned they won’t want an more ‘outsiders’.

 

[jackj13]

There was an interesting question from someone in the audience on QT in Manchester yesterday.A week ago she was about to buy a place on a first mortgage at a rate of 4%.That deal has now been pulled and the cheapest rate she's been offered is over 10%.Madness.

Yes I saw this. Can't say I've seen those rates anywhere on the market recently.

 

[Supershrimper]

There was an interesting question from someone in the audience on QT in Manchester yesterday.A week ago she was about to buy a place on a first mortgage at a rate of 4%.That deal has now been pulled and the cheapest rate she's been offered is over 10%.Madness.

I feel quite lucky that we decided to enter into a 10 year fix back in 2019. Currently on 2.39% I could have got about 1.15% if I did a 2 year fix. So glad we went with the 10 year.

God help anyone trying to enter the housing market now. Can't see many people moving either if the rates are astronomical.

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

Am still waiting to hear from mine (Ovo)

I had an e-mail from e-on today ( my electric supplier ), who estimate my yearly cost from 1st Oct will be £593, which has increased by £85 since March's est when it last went up.
I don't do any D.D's & pay monthly after giving a meter reading to them. Before March's increase my average monthly payment was £28-£30. From tomorrow it will average £50 per month, which is peanuts compared to many others.
My British gas estimate for the next year is £856 ( up £378 from pre March ), making a grand total of £1450 for both ( until January's next predicted rise? ).

 

[kaymac]

I feel quite lucky that we decided to enter into a 10 year fix back in 2019. Currently on 2.39% I could have got about 1.15% if I did a 2 year fix. Do glad we went with the 10 year.

God help anyone trying to enter the housing market now. Can't see many people moving either if the rates are astronomical.

Halifax standard variable rate now 5.74pct. HSBC 5.99pct for 2yrs fixed, 5.59pct for 5yrs fixed.

 

[SARF]

scottish power are practically encouraging me to over estimate my meter readings.
although my night rate has gone down by 20 per cent!. so that one will get er. underestimated. they have been very cool on DD's and always send an e mail, again encouraging me to check my meters and see what I think. cant fault em thus far. only been with em 6 months since I moved

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

Farm Foods, pack of 6 crumpets, 39p, Waitrose special offer pack of six crumpets 80p.

Who doesn't love a butter, toasted crumpet with honey on it?

Two crumpet snack via FF is a bargain!

 

[Mad Cyril]

Farm Foods, pack of 6 crumpets, 39p, Waitrose special offer pack of six crumpets 80p.

Who doesn't love a butter, toasted crumpet with honey on it?

Two crumpet snack via FF is a bargain!

There's crumpets and there's crumpets.

 

[blueblueblue]

I'm very happy, took a gas reading today and sinse my last reading on 19 August I've used 14 unit's in 40 days.

I'm not quite sure how I've used 200 Electric unit's mind, need to cut down on that, even though I never have anything plugged in.

 

[The Big Dady]

I'm very happy, took a gas reading today and sinse my last reading on 19 August I've used 14 unit's in 40 days.

I'm not quite sure how I've used 200 Electric unit's mind, need to cut down on that, even though I never have anything plugged in.

Are you using a bypass of some sort or have you been on holiday?

 

[Ricky Otto]

I've noticed that many city banking firms have given a winter allowance payment to staff on the lower end of the pay scale. Lloyd's of London have done the same in the insurance market giving all staff earning under £75k a year a payment of £2.5k. Have been told that my firm are discussing something similar so fingers crossed it comes to fruition

 

[Supershrimper]

I've noticed that many city banking firms have given a winter allowance payment to staff on the lower end of the pay scale. Lloyd's of London have done the same in the insurance market giving all staff earning under £75k a year a payment of £2.5k. Have been told that my firm are discussing something similar so fingers crossed it comes to fruition

We've been given £1k if on £30k or less and £750 if on £30k - £40k payable across 3 months (Payments are subject to the normal taxes etc) so end amount will be less. Greatly appreciated but just a temporary sticky plaster option as it's a one off. Prices I'd imagine will remain high for several years to come

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

I've noticed that many city banking firms have given a winter allowance payment to staff on the lower end of the pay scale. Lloyd's of London have done the same in the insurance market giving all staff earning under £75k a year a payment of £2.5k. Have been told that my firm are discussing something similar so fingers crossed it comes to fruition

So if I’m reading that right, £74k counts as the “lower end of the pay scale”. Blimey. No idea why people say bankers are paid too much

 

[Ricky Otto]

So if I’m reading that right, £74k counts as the “lower end of the pay scale”. Blimey. No idea why people say bankers are paid too much

Well £75k was for Lloyd's so that is the London insurance market. Didn't see figures on the banking firms. It is no surprise that the city firms pay well over the average though, in my experience its not for good people either, just those who went to the right school/University walking into graduate roles. But that is tory Britain unfortunately

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

Made a pear and fig crumble today, cooked it in the air Fryer which is a lot cheaper than gas oven. Tastes v good imo.

 

[RHB]

Just back from Birmingham and when we stopped at Toddington Services these were the fuel prices. Makes Toomeys look v good eh?

 

[Dave Smiths Love Child]

I'm very happy, took a gas reading today and sinse my last reading on 19 August I've used 14 unit's in 40 days.

I'm not quite sure how I've used 200 Electric unit's mind, need to cut down on that, even though I never have anything plugged in.

Has your partner gone from battery to mains for the rampant rabbit at night