Readers on how to tackle soaring energy bills in wake of Iran war – from ‘going electric’ to ‘holding back’ on travel

Iindependent Readers are divided on how the government should respond to rising energy and fuel costs; While some support Rachel Reeves’ targeted approach, others argue it fails to meet the scale of the crisis.

Some commentators have highlighted the limits of government support, arguing that this support ultimately comes from taxpayers and that high debt leaves little room for universal aid.

Others have argued that the UK has limited control, pointing to global powers (particularly the US and ongoing geopolitical tensions) as the real drivers.

Some have suggested alternative ways to raise funds, including changes to aid, net-zero policies or North Sea drilling, but there have been doubts about how effective these would be.

A number of readers focused on personal responsibility, encouraging people to reduce energy use, drive less, or switch to electric vehicles rather than relying on subsidies. Others shared how rising costs are affecting behavior, from reducing trips to postponing trips.

Many agree that this is part of the global energy crisis, leaving policymakers facing tough choices with no easy answers.

Here’s what you need to say:

Does drilling mean nationalization of oil companies?

Kemi says we should extract ‘our’ North Sea oil and gas. For this to make a difference you need to stop oil companies from selling fuels on the world market but at the lower price imposed on the British government. Companies wouldn’t do this. So you will have to nationalize companies. Is this what Kemi stands for?

epaminondas

Switch to electric

If you can afford it, switch to electricity; second-hand prices are just as cheap, if not cheaper, than their combustion counterparts. You’ll save a fortune on fuel (assuming you have a car) and maintenance, plus you’ll have the added benefit of polluting the planet less and ending our dependence on dangerous regimes for fuel.

The battery lasts longer than the car, and even basic models will comfortably get you 200 miles on a charge, with better ones getting more than 500 miles. Ignore the fossil fuel-funded anti-EV propaganda and enjoy.

Dr.G.

Government support ultimately comes from taxpayers

Rachel Reeves can’t wave her wand to prevent a global recession, any more than she can stand on the beach and command the tide to go out.

There is only one source of government support for energy bills: Us. We can pay the money to Octopus or we can pay it to the government as taxes.

This mess (which incidentally wiped out about 12 percent of my and everyone else’s retirement income) is a made-in-American fiasco.

If you want to be angry, boycott American and Israeli goods and services.

SteveHill

Money can be found in ‘sacred cows’

The chancellor needs to find the money, but it’s not there, they say. But that’s definitely not true, right? There’s money hiding in Labour’s two sacred cows: benefits and Net Zero. If he wants money, he can find some, perhaps all, of it in these two.

There was a third sacred cow, international aid, which is no longer sacred, thank God.

Opponents of further drilling in the North Sea state that the oil extracted will be sold on international markets and will not benefit the UK. What about tax revenues from sales? Maybe I’m hanging on by the ropes, but the situation is close to hopeless.

Krispad

Reducing energy use is the only sustainable way

We all have to use much less of the Earth’s resources, otherwise the planet will burn completely. Reducing energy use, stopping travel and living frugally with local products is what we need to do; The best way forward is to make the luxury use of electricity more expensive.

Dangerous Guy

Drivers can save more on fuel usage

I’ve logged a fair amount of mileage in the last two weeks, and considering how many drivers of internal combustion engine cars and pickup trucks consistently exceed speed limits, I’d say most drivers won’t have a hard time affording the higher fuel prices, as speeding and aggressive acceleration consume far more fuel than is consumed by economy-minded drivers.

I switched to an EV three years ago and haven’t looked back and I would encourage anyone considering buying a new or used car to choose an EV, provided there is off-street parking and they can charge from their own source.

The Government needs to be cautious about the idea of ​​subsidizing drivers because if the fuel tax increases planned in recent years were implemented the fuel price would already be over 150p per litre.

People need to wean themselves off fossil fuel addiction and there are plenty of low mileage EVs on the market with a range of around 250-300 miles, and BYD has now introduced an affordable EV with a 600 mile range that has the same range as most diesels on a full tank.

I don’t think the Government should step in to subsidize private drivers as most people can save money on car use if they want. The more challenging area is business transportation because higher fuel prices tend to be reflected in higher food and goods prices.

People ReallyThis Might Be Stupid

Spreading fuel costs and delaying travel

I refill the bit I use every time I drive the car. I’ve had a full tank since the first day of the war and by refilling small parts each time it spreads the cost and takes advantage of the previously cheaper prices as it’s clear the price will continue to rise.

I also use my car for my family because they are elderly and no longer drive, so before we use it we think about whether we really need to make this trip or whether we can use public transportation. I’m aware we may need a car for emergencies in the future, and I’ve held back from booking a spring and autumn holiday in the UK to see how this all plays out. It would be interesting to see if others take breaks for breaks too.

Kalem2030

Support for average income earners would be too expensive

It would be too costly to publicize support for people with average and lower incomes. Debt is already high and Reeves has no leeway here. Trump has destroyed Labor’s chance of doing well with the money in people’s pockets.

avid midlands reader

Energy crisis affecting global economies

Energy crisis is a serious problem worldwide. Gas prices even affect the offender’s own country, hurting those who have to live paycheck to paycheck. The reason for the decline in gold prices, which is seen as a means of protection against inflation and times of crisis, is that many countries are forced to sell their gold reserves to meet increasing energy costs.

opener

Some of the comments in this article have been edited for brevity and clarity.

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