New vote on rejoining EU would be democracy in action: Yorkshire Post Letters

Peter Packham, Chair, Leeds for Europe, Roundhay, Leeds.

I read with interest Andy Burnham announces 'unfunded' £850m tax cut on energy bills (The Yorkshire Post, July 22).

As a part-time energy broker, I can tell you that small political policy changes are unlikely to make a meaningful difference to the lives of ordinary people.

Joe Public is facing a multiple whammy when it comes to domestic energy bills; there are no cost of living payments anymore; the winter fuel allowance for pensioners was temporarily removed; the wholesale price of gas and electricity have both risen and energy price caps have risen.

According to the UK Government's own figures, cutting VAT on electricity bills would reduce the annual Ofgem price cap by around £45 per year – equivalent to approximately 82p per week.

At the same time, many households are facing annual energy bill increases of around £300 because of rising energy price caps.

Ask yourself this: Will an extra 82p a week genuinely change anyone's circumstances?

I've been heartbroken by stories such as that of Yorkshire grandmother Jackie Bland, whose struggle to heat her home while caring for two grandchildren was reported by the BBC. Likewise, seeing people write on Facebook, "I live in fear of using my heating," is deeply upsetting. No one in the UK should have to live with that fear.

There is another way.

In 2024, when the Government reduced the £200 Winter Fuel Payment for many pensioners, there was understandable public concern. Around that time, I released a video called "How I Cut My Mum's Gas Bill by 40 per cent Without Spending Any Money."

My mum didn't have to change her lifestyle, turn the heating down, or make any sacrifices. The only thing she noticed was that her home became more comfortable. In fact, she asked me what I'd done when she noticed the bills were coming down!

The response to that video was incredible. One lady, among many others, told me she was saving around £3 per day.

I've put together the contents of that video into a free 7-Step Guide.

You can download it free by visiting endheatoreat.online and entering your details. Within minutes you'll receive the guide by email, together with a share link. My goal is to get this information into the hands of at least 30 million people across the UK.

The methods I share have also transformed my own energy costs.

In June 2020, my supplier set my monthly dual-fuel direct debit at £161.45. I just implemented 15 ‘ninja’ energy saving measures. By November 2021, I had built up such a large credit balance that they reduced my monthly payment to just £68, a reduction of almost two-thirds.

Since then, despite rising energy prices, I've continued to build credit on my accounts and my suppliers have refunded me hundreds of pounds.

These results weren't achieved by living in a cold house or making life uncomfortable. They came from following a simple process that helped me use energy more efficiently.

I don't want anyone to experience fuel poverty this winter.

Helping households reduce unnecessary energy use can also benefit energy suppliers. Lower demand reduces pressure on the energy system and can lessen the need for expensive investment in additional generating capacity. When households waste less energy, everyone stands to benefit.