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by linuxftw 1393 days ago
Inflation isn't causing this. Inflation is devaluing of the currency. What's causing this is increased acquisition costs due to public policy.

6K seems reasonable for a family's annual energy bill. Frankly, it seems on the lower end for such a climate. What's really absurd in the UK is property prices. You'd be able to afford all the energy you desire if you weren't paying 10x what it should cost for housing.
2 comments
TomNomNom 1393 days ago
I strongly disagree that nearly 20% of the median household income (£31,400 [0]) is reasonable for a family's annual energy bill. Median income for the poorest 20% is £14,600 - the chances they could afford £6k a year on energy are slim.

Are you really suggesting that housing costs should average around £1400 per year (about one tenth the average annual rent [1]), but energy costs more than 4 times that amount are reasonable?

[0] https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/personal...

[1] https://homelet.co.uk/homelet-rental-index

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linuxftw 1393 days ago
> Are you really suggesting that housing costs should average around £1400 per year

Relative to wages in the UK, absolutely. The working class is getting absolutely fleeced over there.

> I strongly disagree that nearly 20% of the median household income

Same thing here, there's two sides to every equation. The UK has to import almost all of it's energy, importing is expensive.

It seems to me, global energy demands are outstripping supply, and energy is going to become a permanently larger portion of everyone's budget. The way of life we've enjoyed the last 70+ years in the western world, that life is quickly changing.

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arcturus17 1393 days ago
On exactly what assumptions and calculations could you come to the conclusion that 6k GBP / year is reasonable energy spend for an average household in the UK?
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