Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

[JamesWales]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

The point in the interview, don't know whether you saw it, is that this woman has to resort to riding on a bus because she cannot afford to stay in her home during the day.

It says in the interview that her monthly energy bills went from £17 to £84. It is also pointed out in the interview that energy companies are making billions of profits, so perhaps they could take smaller profits to help people out. Additionally, in the interview, a windfall tax is suggested - this is when companies who have experienced an unexpected bonus of profits can let the country share in the good fortune.

Does she? We will take this at face value. It seems a peculiar and dramatic set of circumstances. One that is handy to some for political reasons. £17 a month is also VERY VERY cheap for someone who presumably uses a lot of energy (such that it is now unaffordable) Energy bills have gone up but that is a 500% increase. I cannot think of a set of circumstances where a bill would increase so much, can you?

I don't doubt she is struggling and needs help - my point is, has she been to her council? Who are her council? Her energy provider etc. Has she spoken to citizens advice etc?

The lady needs help, that isn't in doubt, but it strikes me she is being used for political gain somewhat.

[Tito Fuente]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

I appreciate that making difficult long term decisions may not be your kind of politics (you gloss over the bad nuclear decisions for example) but what if a short term windfall tax leads to a long term withdrawal of investment in renewal energy sources, and so we have another problem in a few years? Thats the governments concern.

Worth noting as well, that with increased profits they will be paying increased taxation too.

I'm open minded on a windfall tax, but how I can see how it's a short term fix that may be a bad decision in the long run

You're just taking the piss now, surely?

Energy companies having massive profits and not being taxed accordingly 'just in case' it leads to a long-term withdrawal of renewable energy. Laughable.

Who's in charge: the energy companies or the government? They can be legally forced to co-operate with the green and renewable legislation but instead let's be blackmailed by companies while people are literally starving.

[lardy]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

Does she? We will take this at face value. It seems a peculiar and dramatic set of circumstances. One that is handy to some for political reasons. £17 a month is also VERY VERY cheap for someone who presumably uses a lot of energy (such that it is now unaffordable) Energy bills have gone up but that is a 500% increase. I cannot think of a set of circumstances where a bill would increase so much, can you?

I don't doubt she is struggling and needs help - my point is, has she been to her council? Who are her council? Her energy provider etc. Has she spoken to citizens advice etc?

The lady needs help, that isn't in doubt, but it strikes me she is being used for political gain somewhat.

Yeah, she's definitely the bad one.

[Tito Fuente]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

We'd get more more for our buck as those energy companies would have made more profit , we are also coming out of the winter months it makes sense to apply this nearer the winter months and see where the Russian issues are .

And Id say that the green lobby who ae mostly wealthy returned comfortable folk don't give a flying duck about the poor and how they are going to pay for all this electric cars , green boilers .

Its good to see the New, New , Newer Labour has at last U turned on nuclear power , lot of them still on the fence though along with the Liberal party as the young vote is key .

Labour aren't in charge the last time I checked so maybe keep your focus on the current government who, to counter a cost of living crisis, have lent households £250 while the energy companies continue to show humongous profits.

I asked what evidence you had to suggest a windfall tax could be introduced in winter and you provided diddly squat.

It makes no sense introducing it in the winter months, unless you meant the winter we've just had. Are people not using gas and electric now for their households?

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

Is free bus travel not a good thing? Whats your solution to Elsies problems?

Ah, so when Johnson was coming up with his scheme he was thinking of all of those old ladies who can’t afford to heat their houses was he?

[JamesWales]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

You're just taking the piss now, surely?

Energy companies having massive profits and not being taxed accordingly 'just in case' it leads to a long-term withdrawal of renewable energy. Laughable.

Who's in charge: the energy companies or the government? They can be legally forced to co-operate with the green and renewable legislation but instead let's be blackmailed by companies while people are literally starving.

I don't think you understand how long term investment works. The point is that that is done in conjunction with government and places the risk and rewards on the business. Things like windfall taxes are not always wholly positive because it can reduce trust and investment in sectors we need it in. Nonetheless, I am not against it in this case. I just realise it's more complex than you make out, where you think there are simple cost-free answers to everything, but there isnt.

Do you at least recognise that the increased profits mean increase tax receipts?

[JamesWales]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

Ah, so when Johnson was coming up with his scheme he was thinking of all of those old ladies who can’t afford to heat their houses was he?

Well when providing free bus travel for the elderly, yes it was probably aimed at older people on lower incomes, yes.

Who do you think it was aimed at? Young footballers?

[JamesWales]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

Yeah, she's definitely the bad one.

It's about finding a solution. I dont think you or others want to help her. I think you want to use her for your political benefit.

The energy cap recently went up 50%. That's a serious rise. But her bills (from £17 to £85) have gone up 500%. Ten times the rate. That doesn't strike you as odd?

[Tito Fuente]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

Does she? We will take this at face value. It seems a peculiar and dramatic set of circumstances. One that is handy to some for political reasons. £17 a month is also VERY VERY cheap for someone who presumably uses a lot of energy (such that it is now unaffordable) Energy bills have gone up but that is a 500% increase. I cannot think of a set of circumstances where a bill would increase so much, can you?

I don't doubt she is struggling and needs help - my point is, has she been to her council? Who are her council? Her energy provider etc. Has she spoken to citizens advice etc?

The lady needs help, that isn't in doubt, but it strikes me she is being used for political gain somewhat.

My cousin works in one of the council hubs alongside the money advice team.

She's told me that they have been told that there isn't anything available (unless you qualify for a welfare benefit) to assist with the energy crisis.

Sorry, that's not true; they can provide foodbank vouchers so that she doesn't starve.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

Well when providing free bus travel for the elderly, yes it was probably aimed at older people on lower incomes, yes.

Who do you think it was aimed at? Young footballers?

No, I think it is ludicrous for a Prime Minister facing the question he was asked to try and claim credit for a situation which should never happen in the twenty first century in what is supposed to be one of the richest countries in the world. The argument isn’t whether free buses are a good thing or not, it’s whether they should ever be used in the manner that poor lady is using them.

[JamesWales]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

My cousin works in one of the council hubs alongside the money advice team.

She's told me that they have been told that there isn't anything available (unless you qualify for a welfare benefit) to assist with the energy crisis.

Sorry, that's not true; they can provide foodbank vouchers so that she doesn't starve.

In Wales?

[Tito Fuente]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

I don't think you understand how long term investment works. The point is that that is done in conjunction with government and places the risk and rewards on the business. Things like windfall taxes are not always wholly positive because it can reduce trust and investment in sectors we need it in. Nonetheless, I am not against it in this case. I just realise it's more complex than you make out, where you think there are simple cost-free answers to everything, but there isnt.

Do you at least recognise that the increased profits mean increase tax receipts?

Yes, because we all know how corporations are taxed accordingly.

That's a good point, actually. Instead of a windfall tax, how about increasing the tax percentage of energy companies? Good shout James. That's definitely a longer term solution.

[JamesWales]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

No, I think it is ludicrous for a Prime Minuster facing the question he was asked to try and claim credit for a situation which should never happen in the twenty first century in what is supposed to be one of the richest countries in the world. The argument isn’t whether free buses are a good thing or not, it’s whether they should ever be used in the manner that poor lady is using them.

I think it's actually worth noting, because if there weren't free buses then she wouldnt be riding them.

Nonetheless, I agree, it shouldnt be happening. The question is why, and how do we solve it.

I'll repeat what I asked lardy:

The energy price cap went up 50%. Her bills went up 500%. Ten times the rate. Now if she came to you for help, would you throw your hands in the air and blame the Prime Minister, or would you try and find out the reason for a rise that is ten times above what it should be?

[Tito Fuente]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

In Wales?

Are benefits different in England?
You do know the cost of living crisis isn't just in England too, right?

[JamesWales]

Re: Good Morning Britain - Boris Johnson Interview

Yes, because we all know how corporations are taxed accordingly.

That's a good point, actually. Instead of a windfall tax, how about increasing the tax percentage of energy companies? Good shout James. That's definitely a longer term solution.

I don't disagree with you. And I appreciate here we are talking about the providers not the suppliers but bear in mind numerous energy companies recently went bust, which is the cause of the increase in the standing charge for gas and electricity.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/mar/06/why-is-my-standing-charge-up-by-80-energy-firms-pile-on-the-agony