It’s cloudy and cold today. The heating is ‘on’ but won’t run unless temperatures inside drop below 18º C (65 F). Overnight when we are tucked up in bed, the minimum is set for 15º C (59 F).
We’ve had a mini field trip to get cold /flu remedies before the shelves are stripped as they were last year and visit the post office where I can top up my phone. Town was not too busy, and although there was only one person at the counter and no queue, I had to wait about 10 minutes as like me, she had a variety of things to do, including posting a parcel to Ireland.
I have no idea when the last posting dates are for items to be sent abroad, but with current events, I have got in early as you can guarantee the fuel shortage and everything else will have a knock on effect on mail deliveries.
The forthcoming winter here in the UK is looking extremely bleak, and with the latest Government plan to add an extra tax on gas energy bills now, more people already on the breadline will be struggling.
Benefits are also being cut, and the head of the DWP (Department of Works and Pensions) has suggested that those who have lost the £20 a week Universal Credit top up should work an extra 20 hours a week to compensate.
The stupid cow has no concept that some of those people are out of work, others cannot work an extra 20 hours because of other commitments………. like having a family to look after……… and those who could would currently lose 63p of every pound they earn over a certain amount as it would be deducted from their benefits.
Add into the equation that our Caring Conservative party are pushing for homes to have alternative heating methods to gas anyway, and installation of these so called ‘energy saving pumps’ is upwards of £11,000.
It’s all very well homes being all electric, but when there is no power, what happens? Yeah, no heat and you can’t cook a hot meal either.
Then another little snippet says that council tax bills are likely to rise by 25% (they say over the next three years, but you can guarantee it will equate to more than that in that time frame).
Ah well, at least I know where my State Pension will be going then.
Rant over, so as always, take care and keep safe everyone.
pensitivity101 
I think that it was inevitable that the governments were all going to take steps to cut back on benefits and other social grants post the covid lockdowns. I think that the coffers are pretty empty on a world-wide basis. We have problems here too.
It had to happen of course. I am just glad that we are managing quite well compared to so many others.
Same is happening here too. At least there isn’t a tax on food in my state – yet…
We have VAT on some items, but it would not surprise me if they added it to food prices too.
Sounds like old war times but Covid is a war.
Sent from my iPhone
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Maybe this is WW3
The US has the same issues. The people with money are okay, those without are losing hope.
It’s the same everywhere. The rich have no concept of the real world.
that is so true!
And I thought Ireland was bad!
I think the UK has it worse! 🙂
It ain’t gonna get better any time soon Carol Anne.