Financial matters

[SteveH]

What the Autumn Statement means for you and the cost of living

With the cost of living rising at its fastest rate for 41 years, this is going to be a tough winter for many people.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has outlined plans designed to tackle rising prices and restore the UK's credibility with international markets.

It will mean further pain for many, but the chancellor argues that the most vulnerable in society are being protected. Here are some of the ways the Autumn Statement will affect you.

More details..... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63635582

[SteveH]

Energy bills have been rising for households across Europe as prices have been driven up by worries about gas and oil supplies after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Individual countries, and the European Union (EU), have announced support schemes for consumers.

Here's what they're doing:         https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/61522123

[SteveH]

A father-of-four got the shock of his life after British Gas tried to raise his direct debit from ?350 to a whopping ?1,320 a month. And Andy Hirst said he worries there could be thousands more British Gas customers who are suddenly going to get hit with massive increases on their direct debits and may have no idea it is going to happen.

After investigating the issue he says a major worry is that British Gas can change your direct debit to any amount it wants ? the company doesn't have to agree to it with you beforehand, It just has to let you know at least 10 working days before, so if you miss the email or letter telling you it?s going up, the first you?ll know about it is when the money vanishes from your account.

Mr Hirst said: "As I discovered, it's very easy to miss that warning and the only way to challenge it and bring it down to something manageable is to phone British Gas. It seems the problem is with customers who were switched to British Gas as a supplier of last resort earlier this year and then had to wait a long time for their direct debit to be set up.

"British Gas wants everyone to not be in any debt to it at the end of each year so carries out a review after every six months and then raises the direct debit if it feels you?ll still be in debt by the end of the next six months. Bizarrely, the unbelievably high monthly direct debit British Gas wanted me to pay would have brought in three times what the company itself estimates I'd use a year in gas and electricity.

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/shock-british-gas-direct-debit-25560483?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

COMMUNITY centres in Conwy are being opened up to people struggling with heating and food bills because of the cost of living crisis.

Soup and rolls along with cups of tea and coffee are being provided free of charge in the Warm Welcome/Croeso Cynnes centres located across the county.

Housing association Cartrefi Conwy and its subsidiary, Creating Enterprise, are managing the scheme in the community centres they run.

They are working closely with Conwy County Borough Council who are making their libraries available as well, along with other housing associations and organisations in other parts of North Wales

The community centres taking part in Conwy are at the Park Way estate in Rhos on Sea, Y Fron in Colwyn Bay, Pentre Newydd and Kennedy Court in Old Colwyn and Chester Avenue in Kinmel Bay.

The times of the Warm Welcome sessions vary but they generally span the lunch period every weekday.

Read more https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23140731.new-warm-welcome-centres-help-combat-cost-living-crisis-conwy/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Reading between the lines, I have checked our supply of batteries, candles and camping stove gas, and I was never in the Scouts.   

National Grid denies electricity blackout claims but confirms 'energy use test' tonight
Customers are being invited to ration their energy this evening for test event but supplier dismisses shortage fears

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/national-grid-denies-electricity-black-25580294

[SteveH]

Brexit added an average ?210 to household food bills in the two years to the end of 2021, burning a ?5.8 billion hole in consumers? pockets, new research suggests.

The increase was driven by extra checks and requirements on goods ? representing an ?important impediment? to trade with the bloc, with much of the cost passed on to consumers, according to the Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) at the London School of Economics.

The researchers said the hike in prices would disproportionately hit poorer people, as those on low incomes tend to spend a greater share of their pay packets on food.

While the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which came into force in January 2021, ensures that trade between the UK and EU remains tariff-free, it lacks ?depth?, the CEP said.

It blamed the increase in food prices on a Brexit-induced rise in ?non-tariff barriers? (NTBs) on trade between the UK and EU, including new customs checks and measures affecting the movement of animals and plants.

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/brexit-added-average-210-household-25645476?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Events in Conwy to offer help and advice on the rising cost of living
ORGANISATIONS are coming together to run two events in Conwy County to offer advice to residents to help deal with the rising cost of living.

The events will take place at Glasdir, Llanrwst on Tuesday, December 6 from 1-5pm, and at Coed Pella, Colwyn Bay on Tuesday, December 13 from 10am-2pm.

There will be staff from Conwy County Borough Council?s welfare rights, housing, community wellbeing, leisure, family centres and libraries teams.

There will also be a range of organisations attending who can offer advice about managing bills and finance, heating your home and keeping warm, safety, training and employment.

Attending the events will be: Conwy Employment Hub, Warm Wales, Nest, Citizens Advice, Cambrian Credit Union, Welsh Water and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

There is no need to book; residents can simply come along with their questions, or to have a chat.

Aberconwy MP, Robin Millar, is hosting a similar drop-in event tomorrow (December 2) at St Mary's Church Hall, Conwy between 10.15am and 1.30pm.

Admission is free, all are welcome and refreshments will be provided.

?I know how concerned so many residents and businesses throughout Aberconwy are about the cost of living and spiralling energy bills.
"However, I know that many people are still very worried about the winter ahead and that is why I felt it was important to host this event in Conwy, the third of a series of events throughout Aberconwy.?   ref pioneer

[SteveH]

Five ways to spend and waste less this Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate with family and friends but its true meaning can get lost in a blizzard of panic buying, over-consumption and waste. This year, as the cost-of-living crisis bites, we asked some experts for their tips on how to spend less, waste less and still enjoy the festivities.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63796498

[SteveH]

A number of warm spaces have been set up in the area, here are two more ................

Conwy
St Paul's Church Penmaenmawr: Bangor Road Penmaenmawr, Wales, LL34 6LE, United Kingdom

Venue Type: Church
Opening Hours: Friday 10am-1pm
Location Features: Free Food/Drink, People to chat to, Toilets, Crafts and games


Tea & Toast: Lloyd Street Llandudno, Wales, LL30

Venue Type: Church
Opening Hours: Wednesday, 10am-12.30pm
Location Features: Free Food/Drink, Free Wi-Fi, Advice, People to chat to, Wheelchair Accessible, Toilets, Accessible Toilet, Child Friendly

[SteveH]

People are being advised to heat living rooms during the day and bedrooms before going to sleep as a cold spell hits the UK.

Health officials issued the advice to people who cannot heat every room or are struggling with heating costs.

Overnight lows of -10C (14F) are predicted in northern Scotland with snow and ice warnings there, in Wales, Northern Ireland, and the east coast.

The level three cold weather alert for England begins at 18:00 GMT.

Issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), it will run until 09:00 on 12 December, but could be extended further if forecasts predict continued colder temperatures.

The alert is triggered when severe cold weather is likely to significantly affect people's health - particularly those with underlying health conditions.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63879870

[SteveH]

Martin Lewis shares important message to those using air fryers instead of ovens
The advice from the Money Saving Expert could save you money in the kitchen this winter

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/martin-lewis-shares-important-message-to-those-using-air-fryers-instead-of-ovens/

[SteveH]

A DEGANWY Pub is offering a warm welcome to those struggling or feeling lonely this festive season.

The Castle View Bar and Restaurant is inviting people to get together at their venue on Wednesday mornings. From 11am until 12pm, the pub will be putting on tea, coffee, mince pies and cake or homemade shortbreads.

Like-minded people have the opportunity to form friendships, exchange a book, a recipe, show photographs, play cards, or enjoy a "good old gossip". There is no charge.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23178180.deganwy-pub-providing-extra-warm-welcome-lonely/

Also Conwy Libraries offering 'warm welcome'

[SteveH]

This is getting ridiculous, what about basic human rights.......... 

An email sent by British Gas seems to have caused confusion amongst some members of the public. After energy regulator Ofgem announced the energy price cap for the period 1 January ? 31 March 2023 will rise to an annual level of ?4,279 in January 2023, British Gas customers were confused as to what that meant for them.

Although certain bill-payers remain protected from this price cap rise under the government's Energy Price Guarantee (EPG), that is not the case for everyone. Ofgem says the current EPG covers around 26 million customers on default or variable rates on credit meters, who will remain protected come January?

Households are eligible for the EPG if, on 1 April 2022, they were liable for Council Tax on a property which is in Council Tax bands A-D and which they live in as their main home. This includes those who receive local council tax support, even if their council tax bill for the year is less than ?150.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/british-gas-email-ofgems-january-25750483

[Hugo]

The Welsh postcodes that qualified for ?25 cold weather payment in the last week
If your area records or is forecast for a continuous below-zero temperature, that's when you become eligible
It seems like a good idea unless you live in Llanberis.    The last I heard was that the weather Station that would help Llanberis was in Anglesey so not much help there!


https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-postcodes-qualifed-25-cold-25740656

[SteveH]

Interesting article how Citizens Advice helped turn their lives around, this is the link to finding your nearest office https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/search-for-your-local-citizens-advice/


Citizens Advice is one of the Guardian and Observer?s annual appeal charities this year. As millions struggle with the cost of living crisis, we talk to people who have benefited from the charity?s free and confidential debt, benefits and housing advice.

?A huge weight has been lifted?
The cost of living crisis has affected us very negatively but if I hadn?t had help from Citizens Advice, my money stresses would be double. I wouldn?t have been able to survive ? I would have been using food banks all the time.

Full article https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/dec/17/two-people-tell-how-citizens-advice-helped-them-turn-their-lives-around?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589