Mumsnet users share their thoughts on the latest proposal from the new Prime Minister Liz Truss, which many think is "bonkers." It comes as Liz Truss plans to protect households from the full impact of soaring energy prices with a £90 billion intervention. It is thought that the bills will be frozen at around the £2,500 mark.
"Tying us into a possible 20-year loan at a cost of £90-130 billion with no guarantee of future gas prices and no incentive for people to change behaviour to save gas save money and save the planet. I may be dead in 20 years and my kids will be paying this off forever plus Covid. It's the worst idea ever," said one mum who took to an online chatroom to share her concerns about the new proposal.
Others agreed, with one commenter saying: "We need to stop wasting fuel. Why should people be rescued by the government (which just means other taxpayers, not a magic money tree) so they can sit at home in t-shirts with the heating whacked up full? Where people who try to manage their spending and reduce the use of energy are penalised by paying off debts for the rest of their lives?"
READ MORE: Liz Truss planning to freeze energy bills at £2,500 - what it means for you and your family
One commenter said: "I do kind of see your point in that there has to be a societal move in terms of using less energy. However, I live in a part of the UK where fuel poverty this winter is expected to reach 96% and a household income of £104k is required to avoid it. If it’s capped I’m turning the f***ing heating on."
Another user agreed, saying: "There will be people that need to cut back, and hopefully this whole debacle will make people more aware of their usage. I know I certainly am more aware and I wasn't a high usage person before. But this is a crisis of epic proportions, to expect families and businesses to pay these prices is absurd!" While someone added: "Damned if you do, damned if you don’t."
Many users share how they are desperate for the price cap. One mum said: "If this price cap doesn’t happen millions of people will be unable to heat their homes, and millions will have no spare money to spend anywhere else which will lead on to hundreds of thousands of business closing. This will all result in huge job losses, millions claiming benefits and lower tax receipts going to the government to pay for all of our services. So whilst it’s a very drastic and expensive thing to do, I don’t see an alternative. (And it will only cost the same as H2)."
Another commenter said: "Well what is the alternative? Let people die in their own homes? 'm happy for my DC [dear child] to take on a bit of future debt to ensure their classmates have a warm home this winter."
While other users suggested alternative solutions. One mum said: "I would prefer a multi-approach so some price tiering, incentives for solar panels etc, windfall tax & some borrowing." While another added: "There must be an alternative solution - increasing the already agreed payment to an extra amount over December/January would be better so at least everyone would be able to afford a baseline necessary amount and then would be rewarded if they cut down extraneous usage."
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