Hunt's scaling back energy cost help already!

When the energy cap was announced in the mini budget, I did worry that this meant there was little encouragement for people to try to economise.

The more we use, the higher the price will be, even before we worry about the environmental impact!

Are we still going to get the one off £300 top up? Haven’t heard mention of it lately?

Those of you who think that Hunt 'at the helm' is in any way a good thing need to have a good hard think about the implications of the cut backs in public spending that he has in mind.

And think about the democratic implications of having a 'leader' thrust upon us with no election, not even the pretence of a tory leadership election, and about to plunge to UK into poverty with no mandate. 'Austerity' is not in the manifesto on which the tories gained their majority. Neither was Truss's madness.

kittylester

^If in doubt ask anyone who worked in the NHS when Hunt was Health Secretary.^

Sweeping statement varian - presumably you know them all personally?

I think perhaps that you should read this, kittylester

www.opendemocracy.net/en/jeremy-hunt-tory-leadership-boris-johnson-nhs-junior-doctors/

Yes. This is not a democratic government, but one simply out to save its own skin and that of the very wealthy.

Poppyred

Are we still going to get the one off £300 top up? Haven’t heard mention of it lately?

Who knows? Personally, I don't think they would dare to stop it at this stage. However, I'm more concerned that the triple lock won't be applied to the state pension from next April. September's CPI rate is due to be released tomorrow. If the Conservatives were to keep their word, this would determine the SP increase, but it wouldn't surprise me if a decision is delayed.

I've waited six long years for my SP (didn't receive notification) and will be 66 in April. I was dismayed at the triple lock announcement.

I also wonder if the 'care cap' of £85K will be shelved, supposed to come into force October 2023.

Cutting energy relief after April. What can you expect from a Tory who presided over the worst NHS funding increases since 1947? Ask doctors and nurses what they think of him. Truss and Kwarteng have f****ed us all up for years to come. It was all predicted by Sunak. VAT abolished for luxury shoppers? They deserve long prison terms for defrauding us all but when the dust has settled I expect they will be elevated to the Lords.

MaizieD

Those of you who think that Hunt 'at the helm' is in any way a good thing need to have a good hard think about the implications of the cut backs in public spending that he has in mind.

And think about the democratic implications of having a 'leader' thrust upon us with no election, not even the pretence of a tory leadership election, and about to plunge to UK into poverty with no mandate. 'Austerity' is not in the manifesto on which the tories gained their majority. Neither was Truss's madness.

MaizieD my response is a pragmatic recognition of the situation that we have. I don't believe what we have is "democratic" but it is within the rules of our democracy. I believe we will have a Labour govt after the next election and I don't want them to inherit an even worse financial mess than we have already. At least Hunt is not on the far right of the party like Truss and her supporters.

So are you saying foxie that you would countenance the misery of two years of renewed austerity so that an incoming Labour government would have an easier ride? That sounds a bit upside-down to me.

The elastic of the 'rules of our democracy' is being stretched to breaking point by the current Tory government. Something will surely snap soon.

Led by Donkeys have just released a video about 55 Tufton Street. It's eye opening.

Led by Donkeys video

twitter.com/ByDonkeys/status/1582303415576715265

Hunt has been generally well received, regardless of his past policies or future plans he is a big step in the right direction. When the Truss isssue is resolved the UK finances should return to “normal”.

As for the next GE Starmer has been given more help from the Tories than he could have possibly dreamt of and should win convincingly.
(Unless his own extremists stop him.)

MawtheMerrier

I may be flamed for this, but Hunt’s address today was the first time in weeks I have felt anybody in the Conservative government had the slightest scooby about what they were talking about!
He projects well - let’s hope he can put his money (oops our money) where his mouth is.

I agree, he sounded like someone in control, at least of himself. I am so fed up with the PR overriding the politics in an attempt to obscure what is being said.

However, I cannot trust his party and I am not sure I can trust him.

MaizieD

Those of you who think that Hunt 'at the helm' is in any way a good thing need to have a good hard think about the implications of the cut backs in public spending that he has in mind.

And think about the democratic implications of having a 'leader' thrust upon us with no election, not even the pretence of a tory leadership election, and about to plunge to UK into poverty with no mandate. 'Austerity' is not in the manifesto on which the tories gained their majority. Neither was Truss's madness.

Well said Maisie. I fear people will be lulled into a false sense of security.

It's a bit like someone has held you prisoner and beaten you daily. When they stop beating you, you feel things have improved; it takes a while to remember you are still a prisoner.

You could say they have stopped the beating in the hope we will accept austerity.

And they’ll make out that it was unavoidable.

So assuming all help will cease next April does anyone know how much the average energy will be, because as well as taking into account the price rise in October, there was mention that it would also go up in January and April I think?

Whitewavemark2

So assuming all help will cease next April does anyone know how much the average energy will be, because as well as taking into account the price rise in October, there was mention that it would also go up in January and April I think?

Who knows a figure was thrown about in the region of 4k for the average household. From what I understood was that help would be more targeted rather than everybody getting it which makes more sense

Got it!

£4347 p.a.

Whitewavemark2

Got it!

£4347 p.a.

Not a bad guess then

Hmmm! That will go down well (not), if the state pension triple lock isn't honoured.

The problem I can see is how do they target the help.
For instance quite a few pensioners I know can easily afford the extra

It has just been announced that the triple lock won't be honoured.

rosie1959

The problem I can see is how do they target the help.
For instance quite a few pensioners I know can easily afford the extra

I'd like to know how they'd target it too.

My pensions take me above the threshold for Pension Credit, but my rent means I'm eligible for Housing Benefit. Housing Benefit doesn't qualify as a benefit for extra help, so presumably I wouldn't receive targeted support. £4347 is about 2/3 of my income after housing costs and there are many others in the same (or worse) situation. It's more than a single person receives for Universal Credit.

Littleannie

It has just been announced that the triple lock won't be honoured.

Do you have a link to an announcement? I know nobody would commit to it, but I haven't seen confirmation.