Or we could ask the government to find away of spreading earnings a bit more evenly, invest in real job creation schemes.

I would increase income tax, across the board, and include a wealth tax on asset inflation (though not sure how that would work).
Then reduce or abolish all the silly confusing and conflicting tax and incentives for all industries (though that would conflict with job creation).

As much as the idea of zero taxation appeals, money would have to be raised somewhere else. Really a case of balancing. Unearned income and wealth is one area that could be looked at.

A fixed lower price on carbon is going to be interesting as a tax.

I would keep the Green taxes. Use the funds that this generates to create jobs and encourage UK based companies to manufacture the turbines we are using and purchasing from other countries. The same funds could be used to fund UK based PV production. The days of cheap power are going and in many ways this can only be a good thing environmentally. I would also bring Hydro in and use the river Severn. If it reduces waste then good. Regardless of opinion towards carbon and global warming renewable generation is a good thing. Yes some people may need help with paying their bills but are these the same people that smoke and drink. Assist with their fuel bill directly instead of giving cash. I am linked to the energy market but I do not think that companies are ripping the public off any more than other companies are. If the government had any concerns would they allow France and China to build new nuclear? For starters why are we not building our own. I am only 42 years of age but whatever happened to Great Britain and our manufacturing capabilities? We should be leading the world in these fields not sitting back and selling off UK PLC.

was 9% on electric and 4% on gas I believe , not sure what it is now , higher if think

It's the old blame someone else game, this week it's the energy companies turn , no doubt next week it'll be the old favourites, those on welfare or those of some foreign extraction. It's all politicians are good at. Perhaps they might consider a bit of leadership and getting on with what we pay them for. Effectively managing our society.
I heard Cameron got shot down for suggesting wearing a light jumper round the house . Much like Jimmy Carter , the plebs don't like to be told to consume less. I'm not at all keen on Cameron , but it seems a sensible comment .

Posted By: HollyBush1 - lower fuel price for first units used

What would the lower units go up to, 100 kWh/month, 200, 300 ... Would it not encourage usage up to the limit rather than just limiting usage?

Posted By: HollyBush2 - a house tax similar to the car tax - perhaps a multiplier to the council tax based on energy efficiency or environmental impact

Not really the same problem, cars move and cause congestion on the roads at certain time, houses don't move. But, like cars, if you raise the fuel duty you encourage better technologies. It is all about usage not the hardware. An empty Band F house does not use any energy, regardless of size, location.

Posted By: HollyBush3 - small tax on major polluters which helps the councils improve people's houses (or factories I guess)

I am all for taxing polluters, but I think it is a job for central government not local councils. Local councils should be about local issues, not national energy policy. How would you feel if your neighbouring town happened to be in different council and allowed a waste incinerator on the boarder (think Cornwall and Devon). One gets the benefits the other gets the problems.

I also think it is not the local councils problem to reduce individuals outgoings. Yes they need to make sure that any housing they control is up to regulations, but I would feel pretty narked if they wanted me to spend a few thousand by Shanghaing me with a council tax hike, regardless of my actual energy usage. Technically it hurts physically smaller houses as well, that volume to area ratio.

Posted By: SteamyTea

Posted By: HollyBush1 - lower fuel price for first units used

What would the lower units go up to, 100 kWh/month, 200, 300 ... Would it not encourage usage up to the limit rather than just limiting usage?

not if the limit was set low enough! maybe three tiers

1) zero cost or very low for the first x units per household - sorts out the "poverty" argument
2) a raised cost for the next X , brings up the average cost back to near where it was for a degree of "normal" usage
3) double the raised cost for units above tier 2 - discourages waste

I'm sure we could build some credits into the system for listed buildings, after all if society wants to keep the quaint charm of old buildings it is they who should help to pay for them.

Why all the focus on green taxes?

We should examine the fuel price increases over, say, the last 3 years, and find out how much is due to underling world energy prices, energy company price hikes etc. Has anyone got the figures?

The focus on green taxes as the evil source of energy price increases seems to me to be a cynical ploy to distract the public from the profiteering of energy companies.

Green taxes are an investment in the future energy security of the nation - fuel prices are only going to increase...

Posted By: MartinHThe focus on green taxes as the evil source of energy price increases seems to me to be a cynical ploy to distract the public from the profiteering of energy companies

I think both energy co and green tax bashing are cynical ploys to avoid the unpalatable truth that fossil fuels are getting harder to extract and there are ever more people buying them.

The real issue is should green levies be collected in a way that impacts the poor more than the rich, or should it be done via general taxation?

Another link to a 'typical' energy bill breakdown which explains how the proportion of the green policies are allocated:
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2013/oct/10/green-taxes-energy-bill-fuel-sse-price-rising

From what I have heard it was OFGEN forcing it upon them, so more a caseof government meddling and the law of unexpected consequences. EDF have openly stated that they would rather have just a Unit rate, though the standing charge can be set at zero.

From a purely pragmatic viewpoint is it worth just having mains gas for cooking only?

There ARE Gas Cos that charge only for the gas that you use, and do not impose standing charges....
https://www.ebico.org.uk/

Ideal for low use customers!

I'd like to see the Green Levies, Social Levies etc broken out and visible. Purely for simplicity.

As it is we have a false debate about high energy prices when:

a) - They aren't high.
b) - Green levies which have been smuggled in to make them invisible also create a conflict of interest for the energy companies, and make it difficult to perceive the value of doing energy improvement work.

I wonder if an appropriate way to link costs for green insulation etc to the pocket of the householder would be to tier Stamp Duty according to EPC figure. The huge fly in that ointment is that Stamp Duty is paid by the buyer. Perhaps add a Stamp Duty contribution by the seller. Even a 2% charge might encourage people to Eco their house before sale if doing so got it back.

Ferdinand