Pensioners Left to Freeze as Energy Bills DOUBLE

To support Byline TV and get access to tons of extra benefits including extended content, Q&As and exclusive livestreams, hit the JOIN button or become a member on Patreon: / bylinetv
_________________________________________________________
Diane, 71 from South London has lived in her council flat for decades. Recently, her bills have skyrocketed, leaving her unable to afford to heat her home.
_________________________________________________________
To follow us on Twitter, its / bylinetv
On Facebook its / bylinetv
Special Thanks to our top tier (Directors Club) Patrons & Members: Ahairy Haggis, Ahmed Hindi, Aisling Jenkins, Alicia Pivaro, Andrew Cave, Angela McPherson, Bernard Hurley, Bob Hammer, Catherine Cox, Cathy McCaul, Chantelle Seddon, Christine Riding, Craig Skinner, Dai Stanton, Daniel Shimmin, Darren, David Cheffings, David Rivier, Deborah Rawlings, Don Cuthbert, Don Syme, Gordy, Harvey Benson, Harwinder Singh Mander, Jenna Bradley, John Anderson, John Mackenzie, Josef, Kath, Ken O’Connell, Mark Newton, Melissa Johnson, Michael Cawley, Nigel Cates, Nigel Davies, Paolo, Pete Martin, Peter Qvortrup, Pranay Manocha, Rob Boney, Rob White, Shabib Rizvi, Simon Perrins, Stephanie Moss, Stuart Clark, Susan Angoy, Tamas Solya, Tim, Tomas Rawlings, Trevor Brown, Vittorio Vagliani, William & William Cooper.

[@lost_boy]

Why would she expect Boris, or any conservative MP, to do anything about this? They simply do not care.

[@freeplex589]

Government is not meant to fix all problems. Like Ronald Reagan said government is the problem.

[@nanucit]

@@freeplex589 sure man, nothing like a strong government stopping energy companies unilaterally rising prices to make things problematic... For vermin

[@darthlazurus4382]

@@freeplex589 Reagan and Thatcher are recognized as having caused deep damage to Western societies.

[@scubamandan]

@@freeplex589 and Reagan was wrong.

[@reiw5802]

@@freeplex589 Government is only a problem for those who want free rein to do whatever they want with no regard with the expectation if anything goes wrong, that same government should pick up the bill. Whether it's to pollute OUR natural resources, to distribute opiods, defrauding the average taxpayer or a thousand other things. The same people who hate corporate regulation, love laws. It about controlling thee but not me, me being the 1%.

[@DaysLikeThese65]

Just remember Boris loves you and thinks about you. When he wants your vote.

[@lucywilliams6493]

He's letting everyone play out end of the month no matter if you have covid or not, oh ye let's all vote for him, no vote from me

[@jackryan3487]

All politicians are like that All of them

[@waldopepper4069]

and when he is not out partying while you are locked in your homes.

[@rhizomefriend]

This is what should be on the news everyday.

[@ahgversluis]

Instead, we get the umpteenth partygate photo, which doesn't interest anybody anymore. And that's the point 🙄😭

[@kimannharper3222]

Because they think we are stupid and think if they don't talk about it, we will forget about it! Will I won't forget come elections!!!!!!!!

[@elss8717]

@@ahgversluis This government has to go.

[@ahgversluis]

@@elss8717 you'll just get a more Brexit pushing and more evil government in its place.

[@elss8717]

@@ahgversluis Are you just talking about a replacement for Johnson?

[@bryanmoyna9715]

Heard people say: "Politics wont put food on the table." And everytime I hear it I think: "Yeah, but it can take it away from the table, and the table."

[@kanedNunable]

pension and benefits much better in rest of europe.

[@Competitive_Antagonist]

Feed the hungry Feed them sh** Feed them bones and politics

[@SnakeBiteGaming]

We need to stop voting for people who don't know what living like this is like. We need someone in charge who's experienced hardships and difficult times. Voting someone in every 5 years who doesn't know what the cost of living is for everyday people will never change anything.

[@misssocrates3442]

So so glad people like yourselves are still around with rational thought XXX thankyou xx

[@SnakeBiteGaming]

@@misssocrates3442 That's very kind of you, stay safe friend x

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Totally agree with you, but the problem is that a majority of the country just don't see it so choose to ignore the problem. My partner and I are OK financially but we wouldn't vote Tory in a million years - they take from the poor and give to the rich. The French have capped energy rises at 5% and impose windfall taxes on firms that have excess profits - and that is under a right-leaning government.

[@jibraeel]

@@buzzukfiftythree yep and other Eu countries have capped the percentage rise to

[@GOLDESCAFLOWNE]

Agree with you.

[@ClannCholmain]

Imagine working for your whole adult life and you end up cold in your home.

[@ironmantooltime]

Do we know she worked?

[@laurencooper3169]

@@ironmantooltime does it matter if she did or not?? Any person regardless at her age she be warm in there own home.

[@susanleitch8649]

@@ironmantooltime At 71 years old, she is a pensioner.

[@GG-ml3vr]

@@ironmantooltime Whats wrong with you?

[@martinwebb1681]

John Coleman ... That's capitalism for you ... the super rich get even richer while the rest of us get even poorer.

[@johnking6624]

"Why isn't Boris doing anything about it?" He doesn't care what happens to what he regards as peasants. He would happily set fire to YOU to keep his hands warm.

[@quiche78]

Why isn't Boris doing something about it? This is a man who said "let the bodies pile high". Luv. He would add you to the pile without noticing.

[@metorilt]

True. He'd step over his own mother if he had to. Boris ain't lifting a finger for any of us. He just cares about his next party.

[@martinwebb1681]

He is doing something about it ... he's jabbing them regularly. He's hoping there will be far less of them by next winter.

[@PlanetaryCitizen]

Allegedly he once burned a £50 note in front of a homeless man to become a member of the Bullingdon Club during his student days!

[@gloriadenning3860]

Martin Webb ......OMG !

[@edward.abraham]

Pensioners grappling with the difficulty of meeting essential expenses often encounter this situation due to inadequate savings during their working years. The decisions taken in readiness for retirement carry extensive consequences, as demonstrated within my own family dynamics. Differing investment approaches yielded disparate results. Guided by a financial advisor.

[@veronica.baker1]

Indeed, that's accurate. I'm currently in my mid-50s. My husband and I were on a similar path until a couple of years ago when I decided to shift my investments to his wealth manager. While I haven't quite caught up to his accumulated profits over the years, I'm at least earning more now. I'm generating income even before retirement, and my retirement fund has experienced remarkable growth compared to what it would have with just the 401(k). It's quite amusing.

[@james.atkins88]

It's regrettable that many individuals lack access to such insights. I understand why people might become anxious. Insufficient information can indeed pose significant challenges. Personally, I've been able to generate over $31k monthly simply by investing through an advisor, and the best part is, I don't need to exert much effort. Regardless of economic fluctuations, skilled wealth managers consistently deliver returns.

[@Kim.beneteau]

@@james.atkins88 Could you guide me on how to get in touch with your advisor? My funds are being eroded by inflation, and I'm seeking a more lucrative investment strategy to effectively utilize them.

[@james.atkins88]

I'm guided by Mary Onita Wier, an experienced coach with extensive financial market knowledge. While you can consider other options, her strategy has yielded positive results for me. She offers valuable insights, including entry and exit points for the securities I concentrate on.

[@rebecca_burns14]

Thank you for the information. I conducted my own research on *Mary Onita Wier* , It appears to be highly skilled and knowledgeable. I've sent her an email and arranged a phone call. Her expertise is impressive, and I'm eagerly anticipating our conversation.

[@johncranwell3783]

I often sit wrapped in blankets worrying about how to afford these bills...I really empathise with this lady....I'm determined to stay in budget

[@maigepresents5840]

It must be tough living in a third world country, hats off to you for your bravery

[@RedVSBlueIsCewl]

please ignore all the smug comments, I sincerely feel for you and I hope that life will turn around soon. If your situation is similar to this lady I admire you greatly. best wishes from Austria

[@maigepresents5840]

@Mario if your citizens can't afford to heat their homes then you do in fact live in a third world country....

[@maigepresents5840]

@Mario apologies, I meant to say developing nation.

[@maigepresents5840]

@Mario I prefer to be referred to as uncouth if you'll indulge me thanks. My 3 bachelor degrees, 1 with honors and a masters in fluvial geomorphology makes me highly educated.

[@Mintghbghlkk]

And there is the CEO of BP stating they have more cash than they know what to do with. I could help him if he doesn’t know…. Something isn’t right.

[@alexjames6029]

71 years old and she has to live like this, my fucking heart breaks for anyone in this situation. We have to do something. This government needs burning to the ground! Absolutely harrowing!

[@NoName-sb9tp]

Wow, as a vietnamese, I have always looked at the UK as a country of prosperity. I guess I have to change my mind. I can’t believe the Brits would let these things happen. Choosing between eating or heating? That’s not right and should be corrected. No one should be choosing between heating or eating.

[@mikedon5205]

The old have never mattered in the UK if you can't work for yourself you are in serious trouble

[@richardtuxford1812]

The last decade of conservative rule has crushed the less well off. It didn't used to be this bad

[@benoitbvg2888]

Thatcher's legacy. Over here in France things are far from perfect, but at least government set a cap of +5% on energy bills. The energy companies will have to eat the loss, not the consumer.

[@SLX25]

It's a depressing, xenophobic, dangerous shithole is what it is.

[@oscargrainger2962]

There is prosperity, but only for a chosen few.

[@Skylark_Jones]

In my flat it's very chilly, I never use the heating at all, I warm my hands on the toaster, I switch it on for a minute to take the chill off. EDF is my gas supplier, all I use is a gas cooker, that alone is £10-12 a month, so if I added central heating or heating the water with the gas boiler to that, it'll cost a fortune - and it's still set to go up even further! Why *isn't* Johnson doing anything about it? Because he doesn't care, he's more concerned about himself and his job to bother with the British people.

[@AdamMcRae1]

Or you can work more hours or get a better job or 2 jobs. Then you can stick the 2 bars of heating on and you'll be warm

[@julezpanda14]

@@AdamMcRae1 And what if that person is already working but the wages are terrible, or disabled or in their late fifties, no one wants you at that age, or if you're disabled

[@AdamMcRae1]

@@julezpanda14 if the wages are terrible then at least try to get something better. If your disabled then you'll get DLA or whatever it is. Which is not too far off someone working full time by the sounds of some people I've heard of who are disabled. As for age say mid 50s then you've had like 40 years of working earning and if you have little or nothing to show for it that's not Boris's fault it's there's.

[@lakelife8757]

@@AdamMcRae1 People we have a troll amongst us maybe its nadine dorries

[@AdamMcRae1]

A troll isn't anyone who disagrees with you. Maybe. Just maybe. There are people in the world that believe that not every issue we face is caused by a Tory government. Maybe even that at some point you have to accept at least some responsibility for your outcomes. Or that you can get off your high horse and make changes if you want to afford a bigger toaster to warm your hands up.

[@rocketsurgeon2135]

_"Why doesn't Boris do something about it?"_ Well, he's not freezing, is he? I've never heard anyone credible say that Boris have cared or considered anyone other than himself, so unless he's personally affected, what motivation does he have to do anything? He's an MP, so he gets the extra £2000(?) heating benefit, so he won't freeze anytime soon. I wonder, though. The way she asks it, the familiar "Boris", suggests that she may even have voted for him. If not her, then clearly a large number of people in situations similar to hers still did. Somehow taken in by his very obvious lies - I mean, the man had even lost his job - twice - for lying, when he stood in the 2019 election, and wasn't exactly known to live up to his promises in his other roles, including as Mayor of London. So it's a wonder that anyone would believe him this time, even just based on his track record, but when his election promises are either rehashes of what Tories promise, and fail to deliver, every election, or things that hinge on the kind of things no Tory government ever has, and never would, vote through Parliament, you gotta wonder about people. Do they _want_ to be disappointed and made fools of? What's really more astonishing than Boris doing nothing about it, is that nobody else seems to care all that much. Take just about any other country in the EU, if the population were hit with even a quarter of the BS of what this Tory government have hit the UK with in the time since the last election, they'd be out in the streets making serious noise about the situation. Does anyone even doubt that in France, shit would be on fire and guillotines be taken out of museums and their blades sharpened? Hence, they only got a 4% increase in energy prices, and the difference made up from windfall taxes on utility companies making bank. Even then, they also get checks to help pay their utility bills. In the UK, not making noise means you'll get a mandatory loan to help pay your bills that have increased by 54%. And people like Diane freezing, some to death, in their homes. But at least you didn't have to leave your house and miss Strictly or whatever else is on the telly, so I guess it evens out.

[@mmarsh1972]

I am American living in France, we just got a 100 Euro subsidy to offset rising energy costs for low income people, this is addition to 150 they had already got. So I feel your pain, we just got rid of our self-centered "President" who only cares about himself. I hope you in the UK do the same.

[@russelledwards001]

Newsflash the geezer doesn’t give a fuck about anybody.

[@marcdelaunay1]

Very articulate and accurate reply….if only any Tory voter would read it..?….sadly they’ll take his PMQs lies as soundbites to the truth and keep voting these utter uncaring murder clowns in, that’s the sad reality…thanks fort his and the replies…we need to make the change.

[@claudioricci1]

I noticed her reference to him as ‘Boris’ - likes he’s a chum. You can guarantee next election they’ll be out voting Tory again. Bbbbbrrretttteeerrr vvvvoooottte BrrbrrbrrBoris brrreeetttteeerr thhhaaan Ssssssstaaarrmer.

[@kimannharper3222]

I am lead to believe that demonstrations are going on all the time in London, just not being reported on MSM. We need the lorry drivers in!

[@admorris3898]

They do nothing about it because they're on the payroll. "Donations" to politicians from these corporations ensure that nothing is ever done to hurt their profits. And the joke is that our political system and laws allow it!

[@derekmab7734]

I would call it bribes rather than donations.

[@borismuller86]

I used to live in Tulse Hill about seven years ago. This is heartbreaking to watch. It’s no way to live; in perpetual fear of getting into a crippling debt spiral because you had the heating on.

[@arbit3r]

crippling debt? was this a 10 bedroom mansion?

[@GG-ml3vr]

@@arbit3r Whats your point?some people dont have money to spare now,when bills go up they will be in debt🤷‍♂️

[@martinwebb1681]

@@GG-ml3vr ... And go hungry.

[@lakelife8757]

If retired people had a little put aside in savings the returns on that money have been negative for more than a decade so many will have been struggling to make ends meet for years and this is the straw to break the camels back. This is what the conservatives have done to this country after more than 10 years of forced austerity and cuts to social and welfare services. Shamefull. Children starving and forced to live in poverty, families relying on foodbanks, homeless living on the streets, rampant inflation, billions wasted on worthless PPE contracts and all from the political party that claims the fiscal crown! They must go, not just Johnson, the whole sorry bunch of them.

[@23merlino]

@@lakelife8757 - exactly... and don't forget all that crap that labour aren't to be trusted, that they will wreck the economy...

[@SlowhandGreg]

Why isn't Boris doing something about it? Its really sad to see people like this and they have no idea how self serving and callous the Conservatives are, the current squeeze is meant to bury the poor while protecting business at any cost

[@oldlady2704]

it's because Boris does not give a rats...a... about poor people, he thinks he is very special and the poor are riff raff.....

[@nanucit]

@@oldlady2704 ah yes, the great wiffwaff idiocy that gave the clown so many votes

[@neilsailing]

Unfortunately with the current Conservatives......its fuck you....... it's all about meeeeeeee!

[@robertwinslade3104]

Our politicians and capitalist class are too detached from the lives of ordinary citizens and too unaccountable for the decisions they make and this is the result. We need a massive grassroots push for more democracy in our governments and our workplaces

[@pocarisweet8336]

I feel like democracy is double edge sword. We can push transparency through democracy on the other hand corporations can sabotage the democratic process overwhelmingly on their favor. I don't know what the answer to this is, just want to point that out.

[@robertwinslade3104]

@@pocarisweet8336 IMO the answer is to also introduce rigorous workplace democracy so workers within those corporations can hold their leaders directly accountable

[@waleed8530]

@@pocarisweet8336 Do you know what Plato said about Democracy?.

[@samfarrow348]

Plus some kind of revolution for the people!

[@rogerwilco2]

I believe the big problem in both the USA and UK is the first-past-the-post election systems. I think that proportional representation would solve a lot of problems, even though it's not perfect.

[@IndySidhu88]

I commend Diane for her energy efficiency as I practice this myself but she still should not be choosing between eating and heating, this is ridiculous.

[@salkeld571]

This is capitalism doing it's best to kill the people who are feeding it. Greed is eating it's self .

[@martinwebb1681]

That's what you get with a Conservative government and its never been any different, Conservative governments always look after the few at the expense of the many.

[@andreagascoigne6735]

It's cruel. Imagine that was your Mum.

[@justsomebloke6784]

You know that twinge round the eyes you get as they begin to water and you could, if you allowed yourself, cry? Well I get that at least once a day, often more as I watch hours of youtube in my downtimes, (My folks are in their late 80's, I live on their property and look after them.), because I'm well aware that the comfort of my life is a number of strokes of luck and naff all to do with meritocracy. We all deserve the very basics of life, and when the safety net that we are told is in place manifestly fails to do so, the people suffering are sacrifices on the altar of excess. In order that some may flourish, many must suffer.

[@donaldmackinnon4569]

I think that you mean outrageous, Indy.

[@lilgit9969]

I live in Iceland....ICELAND.....where it's always cold, good summer weather is 10°c...yet I'm sitting here at home right now in my strappy summer dress, wearing a light cardigan in February. We've had record snowfall over the past week and yet it barely costs me anything to keep the central heating on all day...pennies to fill my bath deep every single day....that's a family of 5 having deep baths every single day, not having to share bath water either and never having to watch our water usage. We don't have to worry about electrical usage either because it doesn't cost us much, in fact my last electric bill was about 25 quid for the month, and we use a lot of electricity since gas stoves etc aren't the norm here. I video call my Mom in Cornwall (UK) where the weather looks decent, yet she's sat there fully dressed with her thick bathrobe on, a woolly hat on her head and she's wearing gloves.....and I can see fkn SMOKE coming out of her mouth due to the cold in her home that she can't afford to warm. She only has a one bedroom apartment, it's not that big but she can't even afford to heat that. We had been thinking of moving back to the UK just as brexit hit....glad we dodged that bullet. Instead I'll be making arrangements for her to move over here with us. After working all her life my Mom should not be having to struggle to eat or heat.

[@veganc5028]

If her daughters know she's living like this, why don't they help her? Its disgusting

[@Ahmedkareem44]

her daughters need to help her. why are they leaving her to freeze like this is?? so selfish and ridiculous

[@pocarisweet8336]

The culture of individualism can be great when you're young but brutal when you're old.

[@markguest77]

Probably be amazed how many people live like this.

[@Deamonas]

its like this near me for older people but its more like no heating at all

[@johnblackshaw7282]

While Zahawi is claiming expenses for heating his horse stables you could not make this stuff up.

[@minnie4218]

What?

[@johnblackshaw7282]

@@minnie4218 Yes he claimed MP expenses for heating his stables check it out on google. Then when found out retracted it like a good Tory does.

[@minnie4218]

@@johnblackshaw7282 do you get the impression they are deliberately rubbing our noses in it?

[@johnblackshaw7282]

@@minnie4218 I don't get an impression, Minnie, because it's perfectly true they are rubbing our noses in it. I could go through 1/2 this Tory government with facks about their abuse of office.

[@matictelic]

Why isn't Boris doing something about it? I think one must ask themselves if he cares and if he ever cared

[@LilySaintSin]

Boris Johnson cares about Boris Johnson and no one else.

[@johnt4768]

They've halfed the price cap and JRM is trying to scrap this net zero claptrap which will save the poor old sods £156 per year.

[@chrisstainthorpe8172]

He's doubled the price of electrickery that's what he's doing

[@johnt4768]

@@chrisstainthorpe8172 he's actually halfed it.

[@jenny2tone242]

@@johnt4768 has he?

[@hannahmillington5781]

Privatisation of the utilities was a great idea. It has helped to reduce prices now so that nobody has any problem affording gas and electricity. Brexit was also a brilliant idea as we have now scrapped VAT from fuel. ...and then I returned from a parallel universe...

[@guywerb]

I thought I was in one till I read the last sentence. Quite a relief... ;-)

[@guywerb]

My elder daughter (we're Belgians) has worked in the UK a couple of years in the communication business (she has a Master degree in the field) and I simply couldn't believe how poorly isolated houses and flats are in the UK considering you're in Northern Europe. Either you heath yourself poor or you freeze to death! I simply can't get it. And I experienced that all over Britain as a tourist (I travelled in many regions of the UK) as well! Home insulation should be an absolute priority for the British government... instead of high speed trains i.e. Insane politics if you ask me...

[@EricaNernie]

@@guywerb Summer is just as bad. God forbid you should want to open a window when it's 30 C in summer to let some breeze in. All the windows are painted /sealed shut

[@supernovaspirit79]

@ I hope you will shut up. This is not a Muslim country.

[@MarkWilson-vk1kn]

I made the mistake of putting my heating on a few years ago in winter for 5 or 6 days. When I saw my Monthly bill rocketed to £190.... I KEEP IT SWITCHED OFF NOW! I put on 3 LAYERS of clothing to keep warm. Given, the prices are rocketing up... Wearing many layers of clothing is my ONLY option Unlikely to last next 2 years before I receive my pension but at least the Govt have a plan to stop us from LIVING TO RECEIVEI IT...

[@ihsanfida1725]

There are two factors contributing to the problems we are facing in the UK, one is govt incompetence and the other is that people have stopped caring. The govt has stopped caring, the billionaires don't care, the corporations don't care, even family and friends don't care about what others are going through. I remember there used to be a community spirit of helping each other out when problems arose, even if the govt didn't help. That is no longer present and it's deeply sad.

[@MaximilienRobespierre1]

This is heart breaking.

[@sianscountrylife4925]

Boris doesn't care ...and neither do any of his government!...terribly sad situation we find ourselves in when the most vulnerable of our society have to suffer even more .

[@zzooeecastles]

tip a single elec blanket cheap to run but wraped around legs keeps just your area warm

[@TheUlrikkaul]

Boris is not doing anything because he's in the pocket of Shell and BP

[@CeiliogWaspflake]

When the bills have come And the rooms are dark And the moon, is the only, light I'll see No I won't, be afraid No I won't, be afraid Just as long, as I've got Sovrin Tea So darlin', darlin', Sovrin Tea, oh, Sovrin Tea Oh, praise, Sovrin Tea, Sovrin Tea

[@passais]

Brilliant.

[@PEdulis]

"Why isn't Boris doing something against it?" Because he couldn't care less. Why do you still call him Boris?

[@peterhagan8454]

What an injustice and horrifying blyte on our times Dickensian times are back

[@kills26]

Between these two parties pick which one is likely to be more concerned about the cost of home heating. Conservative, Labour. If you picked conservative well, you need to pay more attention to politics.

[@garyt.8745]

"Why isn't Boris doing something about it?" Well you see luv, Kemal De Pfeffel doesn't give a shit about you, Kemal De Pfeffel only worries about himself and his bank account. What Kemal De Pfeffel illegally accepted for doing his flat up would heat your home sweetheart for about 28 years. Just one roll of his ill-gained wallpaper would heat your home for about two winters.

[@jonathanarklay2529]

46.3% of the population voted for Tories last election. An 80 seat majority!. That means that very nearly half of the people you pass in the street don't give a damn about fairness, equality of opportunity, support for the vulnerable or disadvantaged etc. So for me, the question is not "why won't Boris do something about it" buy why won't WE.

[@ghostlyphantasm2352]

People are brought up to be self centred and narcissistic. They teach people in schools not to get along but how if you stick with the teachers and staff you become powerful leading the school year as head and to look the other way.

[@1gerard47]

Vote the torys out,that's the only way forward.

[@SGrahamArt]

This is the very reason I'm for Scottish Independence now. Not the Tories, not Johnson, but the overwhelming majority of voters down south who keep on voting for this.

[@jacquesmolders30]

They were promised heaven, they will end up in hell. When faced with the gruesome reality of brexit and the full blow of measures impacting their daily lives, revolt and a real sense of solidarity will shake them.

[@grtcara8386]

Did she vote Tory and Brexit?

[@mmathrills7190]

Starting to feel like collective punishment...

[@L3vinesNL]

One thing i hope you guys can suggest to here is getting a "sleeping"bag. Its done wonders for me when i have it really cold because of medical issues.

[@MrDadyD]

This is so disgusting. People, and specially not pensioners, should not have to choose between eating and freezing. This woman has proabably worked her entire life and this is how she is treated in her old age. Shame, shame is all I can say.

[@biggpdizl]

Heating or eating? It's disgraceful

[@toneybucket2051]

Poor Lass it's a disgrace what the old/disabled folk have to go through with the MASSIVE bills at present

[@suewilkinson910]

"Boris" doesn't give a damn. This lady is not important to him. No longer in the workforce = expendable. Rather than driving by, it might be an idea for her daughters to bring her some hot food or take her to their houses during the day to keep warm. The kids would survive the cold better than she might. If all else fails, go sit in a library all day. At least you can read papers or books for entertainment and it will be warm and free. This all has to stop. We can't go on treating people like this.

[@alfiehornby9440]

Sue Wilkinson- Trouble there Sue is they shut most libraries!!!!

[@Alex-cw3rz]

54% rise in energy at least in the UK, whereas in France the rise is 4%. The reason why a windfall tax on the largest provider, that is then use to pay the increase. This is what Labour has proposed, what has the Tories proposed a £200 loan...

[@jackson24241000]

My electricity bill is £160 a month, and it’s going to go up now. It’s shocking

[@karimkalache712]

Lotta dough man :(

[@shirtlesslager]

Depending upon the size of your flat, that could be reasonable.

[@jackson24241000]

@@shirtlesslager Small three bed semi, hardly here

[@garycarmichael8432]

Just make sure you vote the toxic tories out at the next GE.

[@XPLOSIVization]

This is so sad 😢and if you still want to vote for the Tories you don't love our Country or the people in it, This shouldn't be happening in our "Great" Britain, we need real leadership and compassion

[@rogerwilco2]

I believe the problem is that in the Computer Age, the first-past-the-post election systems in the UK and USA are too easy to corrupt and game. Proportional representation is not perfect, but makes it much easier to align the needs of the population with those of politicians.

[@terencebarrett2897]

Friend the Only thing"the UK are Westernised media addicted ,you suggest something and they will go out and do it, probably advertiser's governments dream",they know how weak they are in mind body heart and soul" they've disoriented and I don't mean to insult anyone anywhere, years ago a child would question and, ask 'hey mister what you carrying that bottle of water for"don't ya have water at in your house,or hey missus "why is your face done up like a firework factory explosion" and don't you have a cooker in your house,ya getting breakfast,dinner, tea ,supper delivered to your door,have ya won the pools,, a lot live beyond there means,and it as been made to push the debt message,, oh your as good as so and so,, things that are not important, even absolutely vital "natural education regarding ,the family,the home the whole family unit,cooking cleaning etc,,years ago you would see girls carrying there basket from school after learning how to cook in school cookery lessons,real natural traditional food, well the late 60s 70s schools message was hey why should (women) YOU do it, all the natural male + females roles were denied,,,men,husbands,fathers were pushed to one side, the natural roles of humans, even animals, were interfered with ,,and westernised, to say,hey why care,why cook, come to our supermarket ,hey now"" forget real veg and preparation " feed your family on freezer food and it goes on and on, that all traditional, jobs necessities, fishing farming etc etc,keeping warm etc interfered with,natural human survival of love care goodwill ,looking after each other, as been damaged to make you desperate, sad unhappy ,cold hungry ,,

[@treborsirrah7916]

"Why doesn't Boris do something about it," she obviously voted for him ,so good luck

[@mrsapplez2007]

Growing up my dad always 7sed to say....put on a jumper I'm not putting the heating on yet. That won't do in this day and age!

[@kama3422]

This is making me so sad and sick. How can we help other than writing endless letters to the local Mp, etc... ?

[@philiphockey7996]

Boris will be thinking of you at his next party while admiring his new furnishings.🤣🤣🤣

[@EmileVictor]

Because while pensioners keep voting for him despite him giving them the shaft, nothing's going to change.

[@martinwebb1681]

Its no wonder Boris and his fellow front benchers are partying so often ... they can't believe how f*cking dumb the average British voter is.

[@ferretfriend5458]

I didn't vote for him?

[@kanedNunable]

@@ferretfriend5458 70% of pensioners vote tory.

[@PlanetaryCitizen]

I rarely switch my heating on either, unless the temperature falls below zero. On a very cold day I make up hot water bottles to warm me up.

[@The3Pragmatic]

Insulate Britain campaigned for months in the UK. A property with a proper insulation can lower the energy usage for heating by between 40% and 80%. That would have lowered the energy bills consequently. The UK gouvernement hasn't rolled out any investment to help their citizens and landlords to insulate their properties. Now we are paying the price of this incompetence.

[@honved1]

He isn’t “Boris” and he is doing something about it, just not in your favour.

[@MamboJambo55]

Heating is a human right. None of us asked to be here and no one has a guaranteed income to cover the cost of living for life. This system is so corrupt.

[@rocketsurgeon2135]

Is it though? I'm not sure - making something that someone else needs to work to provide you with a right sounds a little too much like slavery for some, to my ears. What we see is, however, an astonishing deficit of empathy and caring running all the way through society, pretty much from top to (near the) bottom. Starting with the people running the government and the 1% refusing to pay their fair share of taxes, all the way down to the people voting the former into power election after election after election. If not obvious ahead of time, by the time they came up for re-election, it should have been pretty damn obvious to anyone paying attention that they weren't going to do anything neither to help the poorest in the country, nor to tax the 1%. Heck, they barely do anything to help _anyone_ who isn't among the 1%, making almost everyone else poorer in the process. Yet they keep getting re-elected.

[@jacquesmolders30]

After eating, which is a basic need, the very first comfort to the human body and spirit is keeping warm. This situation is happening in the XXI century,, not in Dickens time. Houston we 've got a problem !

[@Hankblue]

I mean it’s not a human right, but it shouldn’t be so expensive as to exclude members of society

[@martinwebb1681]

@@rocketsurgeon2135 ... Yep its called greed, people in general are only concerned with themselves and don't give a shit about any body else.

[@martinwebb1681]

When the Conservatives privatised the energy companies we were all promised it would be cheaper ... just another Tory lie. They should have never been privatised.

[@CelticAngel555]

I'm reading this a year after this was put on here and its now much much worse for pensioners in most parts of the world.

[@twogsds]

In Japan they have what is called warming tables, they have a heater under a table which is has a bedspread/duvet, they sit under the table with the duvet over them down to the floor, it is so delicious to sit under the warming table, it keeps your whole body warm.

[@rhoddryice5412]

“Why isn’t Boris doing anything about it?” Well, he is a Tory and will never bother about ordinary people. They are only a nuisance.

[@AdamMcRae1]

It's not Boris's responsibility to pay for anybodies electricity. Personal responsibilities comes to mind.

[@OOvki]

No matter who you vote for make sure you use your vote every time there is any election or referendum

[@simplesimon5739]

I don't get it. A pensioner gets £177 per week if on PC. Full HB and CT. And yet fails to be able to pay for some gas on a weekly basis to keep warm in the winter.

[@emmaj2961]

Plus winter fuel payment

[@ktktktktktkt]

Housing benefit doesn't necessarily cover all rent costs, depending on where you live and whether it is private or social housing .

[@simplesimon5739]

@@ktktktktktkt well yeah there's the single room amount but still lots of people manage. You don't have heating 12 months a year. God knows what goes on in London though.

[@ktktktktktkt]

@@simplesimon5739 even before the bedroom tax, housing benefit does not necessarily cover rent especially in private housing. The extra money has to come out of their money for food or heating. And some people with illnesses and disabilities require more heating than others; it's a matter of life or death for some people.

[@stephanieshefer5545]

This is a deliberate set up to bash Boris. Half an hour a day? I think some story telling here. Blame Blair who sold out this country with his free for all immigration policy.

[@Gargoyle_75]

You get the politicians you deserve. And their policies or non-policies too. Every second she talked, this came to my mind.

[@brenglover72]

Don't expect rich people to care about poor people. The only time they care is when they want your vote.

[@malcolmholmes2205]

I live in Germany. My gas bill has gone up by nearly 15 Euro.

[@Insightts]

Boris isn't doing something about it because he's one of the system's beneficiaries of that and other situations. And I'm sorry to say Diane but maybe your daughters are people who doesn't care for nobody except themselves just like Boris, what kind of son or daughter wouldn't visit his/her mother taking the kids along to see their grandmother because of the cold, what kind of people is this for Christ sake.

[@sueblackwood6843]

Its bloody disgusting in this day and age good luck to all them kids out there

[@blueknight07]

I despise the elitism that's emerged in the government. It never seemed as major under Theresa May but it it seems to have peaked during the recent pandemic and cost of living crisis.

[@clairemcmahon9392]

There are no words to express how sickening this is. Having to sit in a cold home in this day and age? Where did Look after our own Go . Too busy looking after illegal immigrants making sure their human rights aren’t breached all the while our most vulnerable in society are left to Rot. Fucking disgraceful. Welcome to Britain 2022 people.

[@martinwebb1681]

I must say usually I would disagree with someone banging on about illegal immigrants as I feel they are all victims of the same system ... but on this occasion I have to agree with you, our own people (those legally born here) should be homed, fed and kept warm first before worrying about looking after those coming from overseas either legally or illegally ... once we have taken care of our own elderly and young then we can help others from elsewhere who may be seeking safety or help from us here. Charity is a good thing when helping others less fortunate around the world but first we should be keeping our people warm, fed and making sure they all have somewhere decent to live ... that should be every British governments first priority. The days of people using food banks and homeless people living on the streets needs to end.

[@clairemcmahon9392]

@@martinwebb1681 This is why people get so damn angry with the handling of immigration ,it is a Hot potato. I am all for people coming here if they have funds or a job, A home lined up , something concrete in place .Or indeed if they are fleeing for their own safety but most aren’t let’s get real here get honest. They are taking out from a system they have no right to they haven’t contributed. Why the hell are British born people at the very back of the queue, Put on the scrap heap and left to rot , can’t heat their homes or a choice between heating and eating “. A woman in her 70s having to light a gas ring of her cooker for a bit of warmth? All the while these scrounging free loaders are arriving by the hour with do gooders and with the human rights brigade dropping a bollock to help them, Feed them clothe them put money on cards, put a roof over their heads even initiatives to donate mobile phones and bikes to these people. Are you having a ducking laugh. No that’s right, They are laughing at us at how COWARDLY, Snivelling apologists we have become that they have and are continuing to bless us dry while our pensioners, kids, disabled and our poor are left with nothing Relying on Foodbanks in this day and age. It’s criminal and sickening. The people that do speak up are branded racist but that is all to shit people up and to cover up what is really happening here. Time the borders were closed deport the lot of them and look after our own who have nothing and no one to turn to.

[@williamgoss4691]

“Why isn’t Boris doing something about it ?” (the cost of Heating). I believe it’s because he doesn’t give a shit about poor and struggling people. He might, eventually, be told he has to care about the optics, ie what it looks like politically, but that’s the full extent of any care or interest he has. The bigger question is how come we ended up with a lying & uncaring PM, everyone knew what he was like from day one…. It’s true, he has given his ‘chums’ literally Billions of pounds of Taxpayers hard earned money, so perhaps it’s not such a difficult Q to answer after all…

[@rogerwilco2]

I believe the problem is that in the Computer Age, the first-past-the-post election systems in the UK and USA are too easy to corrupt and game. Proportional representation is not perfect, but makes it much easier to align the needs of the population with those of politicians. A second problem is that neither the USA nor the UK have experienced the horrors of fascism like large parts of the rest of the world did

[@martinwebb1681]

william goss ... The people are the problem not the politicians ... come election time the people will get a penny or two knocked of their taxes and a load of empty promises and they will all rush out and vote Conservative again ... same old bullshit, same stupid people.

[@gloriadenning3860]

In a perfect world a poor person would be running the country so there would be empathy and understanding to some degree

[@martinwebb1681]

@@gloriadenning3860 ... A spiritual person (not religious) would be the perfect candidate, unfortunately we live in a far from perfect world where that will never happen.

[@Jan_von_Gratschoff]

What's coming after the people have been freezing for a while, is the mold epidemic in buildings that haven't been heated in the winter properly, and have built up condensation in the structural elements.

[@barbararobinson7022]

The cost of energy has to be reduced for all of those on benefits.

[@Totalinternalreflection]

I haven’t use my heating for 2yrs, I don’t know else I can cut so worrying about what’s to come is real.

[@am4793]

It's utterly shameful that we allow our pensioners to live like this. The Germans and French look after their elders with state pensions more than double what we provide ours.

[@jackiethomas249]

Britain care for dogs and cats not people.

[@roseanne9986]

In Ireland every household gets £100 off there electricity bill. Just for the winter months. All EU countries have done the same. Our electricity bills are not as high as Britain's. Why is it so high, can they not put a cap on it.

[@roseanne9986]

54% rise in electricity in Britain. In other countries it increased by 4%. That's shocking.

[@am4793]

@@roseanne9986 the UK is in the grip of disaster capitalists who depend on chaos to parasite from the economy.

[@davidnelson3026]

Politicians in general don't give a damn about the people , sadly to say this.

[@19Edurne]

0:13... "Why isn't Boris doing something about it?" Well, he did... You're in this mess thanks to him to begin with.

[@matthewthiesen6098]

This is so tragic. I also think she should bundle up better. It isnt a solution but they aren't going to help her soon.

[@oddities-whatnot]

The point is, everyone needs to make sure they can survive financially in retirement. Doesnt matter how you do it, its common sense.

[@sekib2003]

I solved my heating bills by ....leaving that titanic dump and going to a warmer country. I don't know what folks there are gunna do now.

[@fasthracing]

What now you've left?

[@iedco4]

Pensioners in the UK need to demand a Pension that’s fit for purpose.

[@sorennilsson9742]

I know the Parlament listens to you since they gave themselves a 11% increase this year the members can afford heating. But they might need 11% more to signing a bill that gives this lady a warmer house. What about 20£ a week? The UK has become a third world country after leaving the EU.

[@martinwebb1681]

Bugger all to do with leaving the EU, its what happens when you have a corrupt Conservative government in charge of the country for 11 years.

[@julezpanda14]

@@martinwebb1681 I agree with you... I got my head bitten off by some self righteous person earlier for stating similar! Even Putin and his colleagues don't trust them, says it all really doesn't it?!

[@piccalillipit9211]

*IM AN AUTHOR* I have lived without any heating all winter in very cold Bulgaria as research for a book on how to stay warm - *THESE ARE MY TOP TIPS* 1) Its WAY cheaper to run a dehumidifier than a heater - you feel cold in the damp WAY more than you do in the dry 2) DONT turn the heating on and off - just leave it off and acclimatise 3) Throw out everything you own made of synthetic fabric and buy WOOL, WOOL and MORE WOOL. Wool socks, wool jumpers, wool scarfs, wool blankets, have a blanket on the sofa, wear a scarf indoors like the aristocracy used to. Wear cotton next to your skin. Vacuum the clothes when you get them to stop allergies. I have been toasty warm in my living room at 13ºC - today I am HOT cos its 15ºC

[@HCProds1]

£60? That's cheap as chips mate. Even doubled, £120 for gas/electric a month? Hardly unaffordable

[@mikez2779]

and yet no one asks: we've spent the last 20 years investing in those supposedly cheap renewables, so how come we end up in this mess immediately when gas prices spike up? by now we shouldn't even need this gas anymore, should those green promises be anywhere close to reality...

[@rumourhats]

I suppose, the good thing is that this winter has been rather mild. That said, 58% of people aged 70+ voted for the Tories in 2019.

[@neilfraser4761]

What on earth is going on? Shocking. Absolutely shocking, made so by how unnecessary it is.

[@bollinger6541]

she gets over £800 per month in pension, lives in a rent free flat and has free travel pass. How can she not afford to £60 per month gas bill??

[@justsomebloke6784]

I'm sad and angry. Why should anyone go through this. Like many people I try to help: stuff for the foodbank; signing petitions; writing to my MP, donated laptops at the start of the pandemic for schoolkids remote learning. But I get an uncomfortable feeling that I'm a government enabler by trying to help people eff'd over by the Eton and Harrow gang and their sycophants. Won't stop doing these things but don't hold out much hope that things will get better. Like all children, our politicians will stay on the gravy train as long as they bloody well can, as long as they seem to be getting away with it. £2000 pay rise now, because we're worth it...?

[@gfuke]

It's fine, we will all just clap for the pensioners and the problems will disappear

[@martinwebb1681]

I'm surprised there are any left alive after Covid, the least the government could do is keep the surviving pensioners warm throughout the winter period.

[@paradisebreeze1705]

This is disgusting. Government and greedy corp should be ashamed. They won't though as they have no morals.

[@colinwhite5355]

I want to live in a world where it’s not possible for some bloke to make a toy ‘house’ for a horse, scribble on it, to then see it sell for six times more than my real house cost - which I’m still paying for - to someone who has a spare million kicking around allowing him to do that. Then, maybe, this lady could afford to keep warm.

[@LordOfLight]

Every cloud has a silver lining. If there's one thing that'll do for Johnson it's the cost of living.

[@vickimarlene4905]

It’s so hard on pensioners. Here in Oz we are experiencing the same problems. Everything skyrocketing. Something needs to be done.

[@weediestbroom]

I appreciate the honest editing. I studied media and I absolutely hate it when directors of documentaries use fly on the wall editing and other manipulative editing techniques. It's so fake and I can see straight through it but it makes me feel angry knowing that I'm, essentially, being lied to.

[@maximoo9861]

She's 71 my mum's 81 and I worry cos she is so vulnerable to the cold and her bills are over £300 a month now before the new October price hike, this winter is going to be horrific and I might have to help pay my mum's bills as well as my own and I can't afford to on a carers wage,

[@dougthebuilder1]

top tip, use the heat from the ring that the kettle is on to warm your hands, 50% gas saving there

[@Alfadrottning86]

"When a regime has been in power too long, when it has fatally exhausted the patience of the people and when oblivion finally beckons - i´m afraid that across the world, you can rely on the leaders of that regime will act solely in the interest of self-preservation and not in the interest of the electorate" - quote Boris Johnson (according to James O´Brian) your leaders act only in the interest of self-preservation and self-enrichment. And you fell for voting for them time and time again .. and you WILL vote for them again when time comes. - Because one of their biggest achievements is that NOT voting for them is rejecting your own identity. You were groomed to believe - genuinely and truly believe ... that voting for "the other" only makes things worse ... and so, you keep voting for the Tory party while complaining about the outcome.

[@MoebiusUK]

They say that when Boris Johnson finally leaves office he will earn over £100 million in 3 years. I guess that his current priority is securing the money bag and lining up his future at the expense of everyone else.

[@petyrkowalski9887]

It has always been the same… and Tony Bliar was no different. The whole political and parliamentary system is unfit for purpose and rotten to the core.

[@kevbarnes9459]

When a regime has no opposition it can do what it likes . The Labour Party are a total joke that’s why the Tories are getting away with it . Don’t blame the stupidity of the general public . Blame it on the fact that the majority don’t want to see a government including Nandy , lammy , Thornberry and Abbott .

[@glennjanot8128]

@@kevbarnes9459 It's also because of the voting system in the UK. First past the post allows the tories to gain majorities with the minority of the vote

[@kevbarnes9459]

@@glennjanot8128 lanour have won in the past . it’s more to do with the Labour Party is all about the london and south voters now . They have lost their heartland that’s from an ex northern Labour supporter (me ) .

[@delfine7163]

This month the cost of living really bites as bills go up. Insurances up, council tax up, heating up again, food bills up. And unbelievably that tiny increase in pension is a fraction of the increases.