Ed Milliband. Then and Now

[irc]

2009. Ed Milliband says we need Smart Meters in every home by 2020.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/smart-me...

2023 Ed Milliband says it's a national scandalSmart Meters are being used to put consumers onto prepay energy billing.

https://nitter.net/LBC/status/1614175993916276736#...

[bitchstewie]

In the first one he's talking about smart meters.

In the second one he's talking about using smart meters to put people onto expensive pre-pay tariffs that cost people more than you or I pay if we're on direct debit (with or without a smart meter).

I'm not sure what's supposed to be controversial about that?

[irc]

bhstewie said:

In the first one he's talking about smart meters.

In the second one he's talking about using smart meters to put people onto expensive pre-pay tariffs that cost people more than you or I probably pay if we're on direct debit (with or without a smart meter).

I'm not sure what's supposed to be controversial about that?

Hardly a benefit is it making it easy to put people onto prepay?

Billions wasted on Smart Meters for minimal benefits and actual drawbacks if you are having trouble paying bills.

[bitchstewie]

I think it's a bit of a stretch trying to pin that one on Milliband or to suggest he's wrong now to be honest.

[captain_cynic]

bhstewie said:

In the first one he's talking about smart meters.

In the second one he's talking about using smart meters to put people onto expensive pre-pay tariffs that cost people more than you or I pay if we're on direct debit (with or without a smart meter).

I'm not sure what's supposed to be controversial about that?

Because irc can't say anything good about the Tories he needs to make up a non story about someone who hasn't been in an power for over 12 years by attempting to claim theybsaid something they clearly didn't say.

[Mrr T]

irc said:

2009. Ed Milliband says we need Smart Meters in every home by 2020.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/smart-me...

2023 Ed Milliband says it's a national scandalSmart Meters are being used to put consumers onto prepay energy billing.

https://nitter.net/LBC/status/1614175993916276736#...

Did you do any research before posting this? The two links are totally unrelated. A smart meter just measures your consumption. I have one it's great no more having to read a meter at the back of a cupboard.

A prepayment meter is a meter which requires payment up front for usage. You can request one but most are installed by the electricity companies when you are in arrears. This is done by getting a warrant to enter the premises and fit. The tarrifs are amougst the most expensive. This means those in arrears, old, sick, low pay families now have to pay up front or if they cannot no heating, hot water, or lights.

[Dingu]

This is some mental gymnastics/ a total logic fail in the OP.

[bristolracer]

Politicians say one thing today and the opposite tomorrow shocker.

[Mrr T]

bristolracer said:

Politicians say one thing today and the opposite tomorrow shocker.

Except in this case the politician said one thing a few years ago and some thing about a totally different subject today. But the poster did not understand before posting.

[bazza white]

I can't believe prepaid customers still aren't entitled to the same rates as credit customers How has no MP forced this one through.

Been one of my annoyances for a long time even though I'm a credit customer.

[Sterillium]

bristolracer said:

Politicians say one thing today and the opposite tomorrow shocker.

Or even "politicians say one thing today and then say something else completely unrelated tomorrow shocker".

[irc]

Mrr T said:

Did you do any research before posting this? The two links are totally unrelated. A smart meter just measures your consumption. I have one it's great no more having to read a meter at the back of a cupboard.

Perhaps it is you that needs to research before posting?

https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/vulne...

[bitchstewie]

irc said:

Perhaps it is you that needs to research before posting?

https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/vulne...

Smart Meters can save people money or help with budgeting.

The fact some energy companies are using them to force people to pay more for energy and the fact it makes it slightly easier for the energy companies to do is an unfortunate consequence but any technology can be misused.

But it's more about the rules and legislation around that kind of thing than about them being some kind of "bad thing" just because Milliband wanted them which is what you seem to be suggesting.

Honestly please go and read up on it.

It's like saying Tim Berners Lee is a bad guy for inventing the World Wid Web because criminals use it too.

[Dingu]

irc said:

Mrr T said:

Did you do any research before posting this? The two links are totally unrelated. A smart meter just measures your consumption. I have one it's great no more having to read a meter at the back of a cupboard.

Perhaps it is you that needs to research before posting?

https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/vulne...

You have to be deliberately spreading lies surely?

I’m not disputing the contents of the link quoted but to take that and leap to they are bad full stop is disingenuous.

May as well start a thread claiming all cladding is bad because of Grenfell. Or all cars are bad due to a few bad drivers causing deaths. It’s taking one issue and extending it way way past its logical conclusion.

[iphonedyou]

Yeah think OP screwed up with this thread.

[Mrr T]

irc said:

Mrr T said:

Did you do any research before posting this? The two links are totally unrelated. A smart meter just measures your consumption. I have one it's great no more having to read a meter at the back of a cupboard.

Perhaps it is you that needs to research before posting?

https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/vulne...

I see you deleted the section of my post which explains why a prepaid meter is not the same as the smart meter many of us have in our home.

To remind you it's this bit.

Mrr T said:

A prepayment meter is a meter which requires payment up front for usage. You can request one but most are installed by the electricity companies when you are in arrears. This is done by getting a warrant to enter the premises and fit. The tarrifs are amougst the most expensive. This means those in arrears, old, sick, low pay families now have to pay up front or if they cannot no heating, hot water, or lights.

[Tankrizzo]

Leaving aside the OP's bendy logic, the real scandal is the cost of the tariffs that people who clearly already have trouble paying are forced onto. It's a bloody disgrace.

[poo at Paul's]

Tankrizzo said:

Leaving aside the OP's bendy logic, the real scandal is the cost of the tariffs that people who clearly already have trouble paying are forced onto. It's a bloody disgrace.

Well it is, it then who’s fault is it?
If such people had always just paid their bills, they’d not be on prepayment meters in the first place.
And the reason the tarrifs are higher is that they have an element of free electric credit. And such meters and customer cost more to service.
If they don’t pay more, or don’t pay on prepayment, the rest of us have to.

Prepayment meters are nothing new. I had one on a rented house 35 years ago! It was always a faff, tbh, and we argued in house as to who’s turn it was to top up every time.
Next house we had had a traditional meter, it was put in my name. Each quarter we argued as to who owed what, I struggled to get money out of people and of course it was all in my name. I really wished we had the old prepayment meter as whilst it was a faff, eventually everyone had to pay up or sit in the dark!

[Previous]

Smart meters used to create and enforce dynamic pricing in shock to no one.

That said, I don't think Millibands positions are contradictory. Even if they were, it's okay to reflect and change your mind (especially over that time frame).

Actually (and another unrelated topic), Milliband comes across far better now than he did when he was labour leader.

Edited by Previous on Saturday 14th January 18:18

[S600BSB]

What a pointless thread.