Heating will not be affordable for poorest

Many years ago when the longestablished coal industry was being demonised, the alternative saviour was seen as nuclear power and north Sea oil.

Shut the mines down, they can be replaced with better and cheaper alternatives. In the meantime, we can rely on our friends abroad to provide the country’s needs – this was the government of the day’s response.

Fast forward to now. Most of the population cannot afford to keep their homes warm. There has never been such a period before, surely?

Even the poorest could light a fire and sit by it for warm many years ago.

Today’s announced solution seems to be to build more nuclear power generation stations, wind turbine generation and solar farms for some time in the future. But will it be affordable?

What seems to be missing is an answer to the question, when will the crisis end? It’s already been signalled it will not be this year.

When then? What is the timescale for the end of unaffordable energy?

The price is doubling this year, so if this is going to happen year by year it won’t be a question of heat or eat, people will simply not be able to afford to use any heating appliances in their homes.

Heat or eat will soon not be an option. Heat will simply not be affordable for the poorest and might well be rationed in some form by permanent loans.

Colin Beardmore, by email