Fuel poverty and how to get happy and stay afloat in a recession


Almost a quarter of the UK population will be pushed into fuel poverty by the end of next year, a report by the the National Housing Federation has suggested. But it says that by the end of 2009, 5.7 million UK households will be spending at least 10 per cent of their income on energy bills. There can be no doubt that the massive double-figure percentage increases in fuel bills will hit everyone’s pockets to some degree, and the elderly, low-earners and those on benefits the hardest—but if ten per cent of your income goes on fuel, that leaves 90 per cent that doesn’t. Yes?

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Monday, September 8th, 2008

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Never mind the banks, we’re all credit crunch victims


Electricity, gas and water bills are increasing by often double-figure percentage rises over last year. Mortgages are out of the reach of nearly everyone under the age of 40, and over 40 you’ve either got be rich or prepared to eat dry crackers in order to keep the roof over your head. Food prices are going up all the time, with essential wheat, rice and corn going up more than once a week. Fuel prices at the pumps change from one day to the next as well, again always in an upward direction. We have credit cards that are legal charging up to 39.9 per cent interest, because by law 40 per cent is classed as extortion. The numbers of home repossessions, mortgage refusals, bankruptcies, and voluntary debt repayment arrangements are also increasing.

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Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008

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