OT - the current crisis

[ramAnag]

Sorry, in and out again, so if you want a response it'll be bit by bit

re this bit, have you got any evidence to back that up? And is it a balanced suspicion or is there an element of 'hope' in it? I could say I 'suspect' that HMG will (eventually) come up with a scheme which will alleviate the energy 'hit', the non-entrenched populace will accept that the world has been 'slipped a crippler' and we'll move on (albeit poorer) - but I won't say that, because, like you, I don't have a clue what will happen next.

Just as an anecdote though, I've done a morning of errands and odd jobs in and around my village and Burton today, and there's no evidence of unrest amongst the 'educated' (or for that matter what might be called 'less educated' (Jeez I have to be so careful about such categorizations with Swale around and that's not flippancy, that's serious)) middle classes, there's a queue at the chippy, the pub yard is chock-full, I've been struggling to find anyone to do a job on my car because everywhere is full up for weeks - yes such people are having a moan but they are 'getting on with it' - now, whether doing so in the same manner as the dinosaurs did before the comet hit only time will tell, but out in the actual world, no sign of unrest yet

Let me know when you can concentrate on more than one thing at a time. What I’m saying has nothing to do with the availability of fence contractors or mechanics. It has nothing to do with your unfounded fear of what Swale will say either which rather makes my case that you’ll take any opportunity to stir things up in that direction...but while you’re judging things by the bank holiday pubs and chippies, and your difficulty getting your car fixed I’d suggest the numbers on strike or threatening strike action, the consequences of the increase in energy prices and general reaction to the cost of living crisis might be equally good, if not better, indicators.

[swaledale]

Sorry, in and out again, so if you want a response it'll be bit by bit

re this bit, have you got any evidence to back that up? And is it a balanced suspicion or is there an element of 'hope' in it? I could say I 'suspect' that HMG will (eventually) come up with a scheme which will alleviate the energy 'hit', the non-entrenched populace will accept that the world has been 'slipped a crippler' and we'll move on (albeit poorer) - but I won't say that, because, like you, I don't have a clue what will happen next.

Just as an anecdote though, I've done a morning of errands and odd jobs in and around my village and Burton today, and there's no evidence of unrest amongst the 'educated' (or for that matter what might be called 'less educated' (Jeez I have to be so careful about such categorizations with Swale around and that's not flippancy, that's serious)) middle classes, there's a queue at the chippy, the pub yard is chock-full, I've been struggling to find anyone to do a job on my car because everywhere is full up for weeks - yes such people are having a moan but they are 'getting on with it' - now, whether doing so in the same manner as the dinosaurs did before the comet hit only time will tell, but out in the actual world, no sign of unrest yet

I would suggest that demonstrates that many people have yet to grasp what is actually going to happen when their electric and gas bills kick in. Which is to be expected because most of the middle income people haven't had to deal with financial hardship for years.

On the other hand it could just be that people who are comfortable now assume it won't affect them, I mean apparently 48% of people who responded to a recent poll. agreed with Truss and her view that the average UK worker was bone idle! More evidence that people doesn't think she meant them! Not us guv, yes those idle, scroungers but not me guv!!

[Andy_Faber]

I would suggest that demonstrates that many people have yet to grasp what is actually going to happen when their electric and gas bills kick in. Which is to be expected because most of the middle income people haven't had to deal with financial hardship for years.

You may be right, I'm just reporting a moment in time. I still don't think the media are helping matters, if you google 'energy bill calculator' its dominated by newspapers and other news sites offering such, and the vast majority are so crude they aren't worth using - basically, input = your current energy bill, answer = 'you're ****ed!'.

So, you may be right. As I've written elsewhere, I've tried to help acouple of 'unenlightened' folk who are 'worried' (some very old, some very young), but I haven't spoken to anyone in employment who has tipped over from 'concerned' to 'worried' - but my 'bubble' includes a lot of 'professionals'/'professional tradesmen' and double income families and I guess those below that level will be hit much harder.

[Andy_Faber]

Let me know when you can concentrate on more than one thing at a time. What I’m saying has nothing to do with the availability of fence contractors or mechanics. It has nothing to do with your unfounded fear of what Swale will say either which rather makes my case that you’ll take any opportunity to stir things up in that direction...but while you’re judging things by the bank holiday pubs and chippies, and your difficulty getting your car fixed I’d suggest the numbers on strike or threatening strike action, the consequences of the increase in energy prices and general reaction to the cost of living crisis might be equally good, if not better, indicators.

I genuinely feel sorry for folk who are busting a b*****k in low paid jobs and can’t/won’t be able to make ends meet but let’s go back to the first page of this thread. I made an observation in response to MA’s question ‘why do the rest of us accept this crap’ in essence by suggesting there isn’t a cohesive ‘us’ anymore, at least not in big enough numbers to create this ‘revolution’ that’s talked of. There’s no hooray from me about that and it may turn your stomach to hear it but IMO it’s a fact

[ramAnag]

I genuinely feel sorry for folk who are busting a b*****k in low paid jobs and can’t/won’t be able to make ends meet but let’s go back to the first page of this thread. I made an observation in response to MA’s question ‘why do the rest of us accept this crap’ in essence by suggesting there isn’t a cohesive ‘us’ anymore, at least not in big enough numbers to create this ‘revolution’ that’s talked of. There’s no hooray from me about that and it may turn your stomach to hear it but IMO it’s a fact

It doesn’t ‘turn my stomach’ at all, Andy. To return to the first page...I’m pleased that you seem to be beginning to see the light...I’m just, as I’ve said all along, a little perplexed.

[Andy_Faber]

It doesn’t ‘turn my stomach’ at all, Andy. To return to the first page...I’m pleased that you seem to be beginning to see the light...I’m just, as I’ve said all along, a little perplexed.

And I’ll just have to leave you in that state

[MadAmster]

... and all the while we are contemplating our navels over this, energy prices are going to go up by 80%. Ofgen has said that's the level of the cap but what that means, in reality, is that the 80% increase is what the suppliers will charge. Not necessarily because they have to but because Ofgen has made it possible.

[MadAmster]

.... and now pubs in Derbyshire and East Staffs are said to be in danger of closing permanently if they don't get support. I'm over 11 to13 and 23 to 25 September and will do my bit to support them but I fear I will need help from others to make a difference, despite my best efforts.

[swaledale]

.... and now pubs in Derbyshire and East Staffs are said to be in danger of closing permanently if they don't get support. I'm over 11 to13 and 23 to 25 September and will do my bit to support them but I fear I will need help from others to make a difference, despite my best efforts.

Ah when the pubs and clubs start shutting, thats when the revolution will kick in!!

I think a lot of businesses are going to be struggling, most have fixed term contracts, but where those finish it will be at a price many small and medium businesses will not be able to afford.

Still I've heard Truss is aiming to hand out licences for more oil and gas exploration, given the average time from finding a oil/gas field to it being pumped ashore is 28 years, I'd say we are all ****ed!!

[Geoff Parkstone]

I think they know where stuff is, Swale, but deepwater drilling has ceased whilst oil prices have been relatively low as its uneconomic. With prices going up, deepwater drilling becomes more economic and so oil companies will start drilling. Of course OPEC will see this and bring more oil into production themselves, quicker than deepwater development, and so push the price back down. This is ultimately what is wanted and the threat to restart deepwater activities will often achieve - in theory - all down to market cartels like OPEC controlling the price IM afraid!