Worried About Increasing Prices?

Worried About Increasing Prices?

Yesterday the Bank of England’s Financial Stability Report warned that ‘global economic conditions have worsened, putting pressure on the finances of households. Prices of essential goods such as food and energy have risen sharply in the UK and globally, largely a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine’. They are expecting households to become even more stretched over coming months.

Cost of Living Increases

We are all experiencing a dramatic increase in our cost of living, and unfortunately it is likely to get worse. Basic food such as bread, milk, pasta, meat and fish, vegetables and fruit, cheese and other dairy products, to list just a few, are costing us more. With prices rising we can now buy much less for our weekly food budgets.

These price increases are caused by the rises in the cost of fuel. It costs manufacturers more to produce and deliver food. It costs farmers more to grow and harvest their crops, and feed and distribute their livestock. It costs more to store and deliver food to our supermarkets and shops. It is costing us more to travel to work.

Increases in Energy Prices

It is also costing us more to run our homes. We are experiencing steep price rises for the gas and electricity that we use in our homes. From 01 April 2022, Ofgem’s increase in the energy price cap has had a big impact on households already. Basically, this means that the maximum price that energy supplies can charge for their energy has increased. We are expecting a further increase (possibly 50%+) in this price cap in October 2022.

This will come at the time of year when temperatures in the UK get cooler, and when we are more likely to need to turn on our heating to make our homes warmer. We need to make our homes more energy efficient!

Energy-saving Tips

  • Switch off standby, and turn off at the plug
  • Switch off lights when not needed, and use LED bulbs
  • Use your washing machine on a lower temperature cycle and ensure it is full so you do less washes in a week
  • Avoid using a tumble drier – dry outdoors or use racks
  • Fill your dishwasher before use – do not operate when only part full
  • Shower instead of bath, and spend less time in the shower
  • Draught-proof windows and doors

INSULATE

  • To stop heat escaping through your walls and roof
  • To keep heat in – you can set your heating to a lower temperature; and you won’t need it to be switched on for as long
  • To reduce carbon emissions

Government-backed grants are available to help people insulate their homes and make them more energy efficient.

If anyone living in your home receives any of the following benefits, you are eligible to apply for a grant:

Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit (not the single-person’s 25% discount), Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-Related Employment Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit Savings Credit, Pension Guarantee Credit, Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit. (Child Benefit also qualifies, but there is a household income limit, depending on whether you are a single-parent/a couple, and the number of children you have).

If a resident in your household doesn’t receive an income-related benefit, you could still qualify for a grant in some postcodes. For example, if a resident has a long-term illness, is a pensioner, is pregnant, or is over a certain age. The number of children living in your household is also another contributing factor. If your household annual income is £31,000 or less, you could still qualify.

EnergyLink can put you in touch with an approved local installer who has access to this grant funding for Cavity Wall Insulation, Internal Wall Insulation, Loft Insulation, External Wall Insulation, and Room in Roof Insulation.

To receive a no-obligation, free survey, visit https://www.freeinsulation.co.uk/apply/ and fill in the form!