[pjc50]

Yes, and in this case it can't be blamed on healthcare costs and mostly not on student loans - it's mostly housing that's the problem, and relatedly costs of transport (because to some extent you can trade one against the other).

For pensioners the top complaint is usually energy bills, but I don't think it's a good idea to make energy too cheap lest people use more of it.

[dagw]

I don't think it's a good idea to make energy too cheap lest people use more of it.

Have a tiered pricing system. Make the first N kWh cheap and then gradually increase the price.

[maccard]

> For pensioners the top complaint is usually energy bills, but I don't think it's a good idea to make energy too cheap lest people use more of it.

I agree with you, but I don't know what the solution was. I've still got my thermostat set to "off" from summer, and am turning it on periodically. Last night it hit 14 degrees before I got home. Telling a pensioner to "use less energy" because their home is 14 degrees seems a little too far.