I have had to be even more vigilant than before with petrol usage as we have now reached £1.17/ltr (£5.30/gall), and on short trips we only get 30 miles to the gallon.
I have just been quoted 63p/ltr for heating oil whereas this time last year it was 43p/ltr.
Combine all this with the rise in food prices and people on the poverty line will be seroiusly having to consider heat or eat this winter.
As it is we only even in the winter use our oil heating as little as possible and use the open fire to heat downstairs and the boys have electric fan heaters to take the chill off their bedrooms.
I noticed yesterday when I went to the supermarket that some things have again risen in price by 4p since last week; or things that have been on offer have now gone back up to full price and the price has jumped by at least another 6p.
Things that used to be cheap options are now at a similar price to what mainstream options were last year.
Having been on the poverty line myself some years ago, I know how it feels to make the choice between eat and heat so feel very sorry for those who will be facing the problem this winter. What makes matters worse is that many of the poorest people live in social housing and the landlords (council or housing association - they all seem just as bad as each other) aren't willing to replace old heating systems that aren't cost effective, etc.
ReplyDeletetotally off topic i'm afraid. just wanted to say that maisie and i are enjoying dancing , or should that be prancing around the room to your playlist. maisie was really excited to find her favourite "ruby ruby" on there. thank-you for making us smile :)
ReplyDeleteTell Maisie, that is one of my favourite tunes at the moment as well. Pleased she enjoyed her boogie.
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