Queen’s Speech 2017: did it deliver for you?

Fropm what I have read, the “smart” meters will be paid for by the consumer, probably adding the cost to the bill, spread over a period.So we have to pay the utilities to find out in advance what the cost of our supply will be? Oh happy day!!

I am hoping that Which? will be supporting those consumers who do not wish to have a smart meter installed and urging the government not to make them compulsory.

At the very least, the adverts should make it clear that there is no need to have smart meters fitted and that the cost of their installation is payed for by all customers.

I’m a voluntary worker for CAS & some of the info. we’ve received states that when electricity generation goes ‘phut’ the government, thro’ devious’ means can shut down using ‘smart meters’. Bet they didn’t say that in their publicity ‘blurb’!

According to Which?, smart meters will need to be replaced after about ten years, whereas conventional meters can remain in use for significantly longer. If you have an earlier smart meter it may need to be replaced with one that meets the requirements of the Data Communication Company. Never, mind, you won’t be charged for the smart meters (except that your bills will be higher).

No-one has to have a smart meter installed: http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/do-i-have-to-accept-a-smart-meter

I don’t remember any public consultation prior to the smart meter roll out.

I would give smart meters to those who are in arrears or struggling to pay their bills to help them budget. Some people don’t have a good idea of how much electricity and gas is used by different appliances, etc.

I don’t know what public consultation would be. Without them knowing all the ramifications, costs, advantages of smart meters how can anyone reach a considered decision? And how many do you ask – a “typical” 2000 sample or a full scale referendum?

£11 billion to essentially get automatic meter readings? I’d rather let consumers keep the £500 a family it will cost them – how long before smart meters save them that money? Probably never; the thought of everyone sitting by their meter, switching appliances on and off to see how much they use, comparing one days gas use with another to work out….what? Sorry, i find it an expensive white elephant, made more so by puerile cartoons.

I agree that there is little justification for encouraging people to have smart meters — I don’t want one because I can read the ordinary meters at any time. What we need is sensible tariffs. Perhaps less tax on energy for people who keep below a certain level of consumption would act as an incentive to save energy. Do people realize how much tax we pay on gas and electricity?

The vat component is 5% – around £50 on an average dual fuel bill. I believe under EU law vat has to be applied and this might be the minimum. There are other “taxes” – going under the guise of green energy for example all of which would need to be found from elsewhere if they were removed from your energy bill.

Many people have little option in the amount of energy they use, that any incentives cannot effect. Why penalise the unfortunate high users even more?

It was the UK Government, (in 1994), which first imposed VAT on fuel for Domestic consumers; not the EU. Once imposed, it couldn’t be reduced to less than 5% under EU rules.

As the “Queen’s” speech is written by May, it’s another instance of someone else being blamed for the Government’s mishandling ; I regarded any so called promises,or intentions as a PCP – a Pie Crust Promise, easily broken.

Much as I do not like politicians I dislike B of E Governors even less.

If you choose to live in a cold climate you should expect to pay for the extra heating. Why should the south subsidise the “colder north”. If we start down that route, then the north, with its significantly lower house prices and rents, should be asked to help those in the south who have to pay much more. 🙂

Why do people in the south have to pay more the houses are the same ?

You could say George there are more jobs opportunities in the London area and that was the case when I lived there but lately City investors, Billionaires , Foreign millionaires , Hedge Fund companies etc have been buying up large parts of Central London helping to up the prices and you have-too many people-not enough housing . If you want the controversial viewpoint -house prices have been pushed up by hundreds of Billions of pounds of new money created in the years before the crisis –BBC -before banking crisis banks create money when they make a loan and pre-banking crisis they quadrupled their money through mortgage lending which was a major driver in house prices. House prices rose much faster than wages . There is a lot more info on this but guess who bailed out the banks post crisis ?

George – supply and demand. It will cost more to build a house in the south(east) because labour rates are higher, but land made available for housing is limited, expensive, and because people seem prepared to find the money to pay the higher prices.

I WAS PLEASED SO MANY AUSTERITY MEASURES WERE DROPPED.

Only temporarily, Anne. They are still in the Conservative Party manifesto on the basis of which they fought the 2017 election so as soon as there is Parliamentary time they could be introduced. The Queen’s speech only covered the legislative programme for the next two years. By the end of March 2019 we could have left the EU and the government would be free to get on with its domestic agenda.

The general election has shifted the timetable for Parliaments under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act. Instead of taking place on the first Thursday of May 2020 as would have happened but for the GE, the next general election should take place on the first Thursday of June 2022. This will put it out of step with some other elections which would have coincided with it [like those for police & crime commissioners and certain municipal elections], so people who get fed up with going to the polling station too often will be annoyed and there will be mass cries of “Not another one!” That is, of course, if the present government doesn’t get derailed further down the line and we have to go to the polls again before its term is up.

Amusing but not very helpful!

fingers crossed!

Have you ever considered why we are ” living beyond our means” ?
Might it not be that the cost of living is far too high??
And that wealth is so unevenly spread that the less well off, and that is most of us, have no chance of living within our means.

TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU>

Radio 4 seems to have a hostile approach to some interviews. If they ask a question, I want to hear what the interviewee has to say, not have them cut off in mid-sentence by the interviewer – except of course if they go into motormouth mode. Yo sometimes feel the “Today” staff are an inquisition, rather than capable of teasing out information for the listeners. Perhaps they could form a “Today” Party and get a landslide victory as in France.

One interviewer I do respect is Andrew Neil – he appears very well informed and although incisive, does give his subjects a fair hearing, providing they respond sensibly.

Thanks for giving me a good laugh on a wet and miserable day, Malcolm. Andrew Neil is a bit on the aggressive side for me but I agree that he lets his victims get a word in edgeways.

The latest tactic of bellowing at hapless ministers as they leave Downing street is very odd.

Lets hope a lot of them are leaving soon…for good!

George – The term ‘British’ excludes the residents of Northern Ireland which, although part of the British Isles [as is Eire], is not a part of Great Britain which consists of just England, Scotland and Wales. Perhaps you don’t wish to be inclusive but if you have a recent passport it will be a UK one rather than a British one [still issued on behalf of Her Britannic Majesty though].

Could be a long time. Wavechange. The Queen’s Speech covered the legislative programme for the next two years. The price cap is buried in the Conservative Party manifesto but whether it sees the light of day remains to be seen.

I agree, John, but at least it has resurfaced. Our political parties are good at promising jam tomorrow and maybe the Queen should engage in a little leg pulling about what has been omitted from her speech.

Government intervention is usually inept and distorts the market. I would like to see two things happen.

One, abolish the subsidised fixed price deals and have all customers on a (consequently) reduced price standard variable tariff.

Two, have Ofgem publish regularly the benchmark costs for energy so we can see how close companies come. (if government thinks it can control costs then Ofgem must have this information to be able to advise it in an informed way).

If we have to help people with energy, make sure they are deserving of help and then provide that from the social fund, not from some ill-founded cap. Many people with borderline finances will spend far more on food, housing and travel to work that they spend on energy. Are we proposing a cap on those would be a good idea?

The DT article you referenced, Wavechange, was dated four weeks before the general election. Has it been regurgitated like some of our Conversations are?

A significant percentage of the population is mentally unfit and as we age, there is a fair chance that any of us will go into decline, lose our eyesight or suffer other serious problems that could make it more difficult to keep on top of our financial affairs. Many of them will not be classified as ‘vulnerable’. I would like to see prompt action to stop them being exploited.

I recall reading that former Exec Director of Which?, Richard Lloyd, now works for an organisation that raises awareness of the financial problems that mental illness can cause.

John – My comment was prompted by today’s news from the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40476691 The Telegraph article provides a reminder of what was said before the election.

Thanks, Wavechange. I missed that news item. I don’t know what happened to the third of July. As you say “a significant percentage of the population is mentally unfit and as we age, there is a fair chance that any of us will go into decline“. I know the feeling.

It is wonderful how the Queen is able to keep on going. I think we all need to be optimistic but realistic.

Wavechange-There is an emergency word in the event of the Queen,s demise it was something like-London Bridge has fallen , regardless of Harry,s comments about -“nobody wanting the job ” I am sure Charles wont “knock it back ” he deserves it for sheer perseverance alone . Mentally unfit ??? not me ! if a “significant proportion ” of the population is “mentally unfit ” then I blame this new society and all it entails . I will tell you who are “mentally unfit ” a lot of HMG and that applies 1000 fold to the US Congress who both act like children in this world and have brought us very near to annihilation –for money, have you honestly listened to the rhetoric coming out of both governments ?? you hear more sanity in a primary school playground .

I’m surprised that the Queen manages to keep a straight face when delivering the Queen’s Speech in recent years. I hope that everyone realises that she is just the messenger.

I keep hoping she’ll introduce a little improvisation. The odd joke, perhaps, or simply a few of her own suggestions. I have a few…

My Government will introduce legislation to vote on the fate of all Government ministers annually. Each year a popular vote will be held and those unable to achieve a popularity rating of 70% or higher will face a variety of penalties, ranging from the merely embarrassing to the outright painful and humiliating. These will be televised on Channels 4 and 5 as Big Brother is no longer providing the anticipated revenue streams.