Episodes

  • Did You Hear About 77 Year Old Elsie?!

    Did You Hear About 77 Year Old Elsie?!
    May 10 2022
    In today's episode, we continue the theme of "What is in the uk energy news". We discuss in detail 77 year old Elsie's plea to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. His response quite frankly left me speechless and embarrassed for him. There are millions of Elsie's in the UK right now who need support now. Perhaps reminding them you introduced the 24-hour freedom bus pass Boris wasn't the best idea, it was insensitive and insulting. The ramifications of people actually cutting out meals and not turning their power and gas appliances on for fear of not being able to pay their bills, will be far reaching. We would love to know your thoughts on this topic. @CUBESExpert on the socials. Resources: https://mycubes.uk @CUBESExpert
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    36 mins
  • Why Are Direct Debits Increasing More Than The 54% Price Cap?

    Why Are Direct Debits Increasing More Than The 54% Price Cap?
    May 9 2022
    Ofgem have issued a RFI's to a number of Energy Suppliers last week, giving them three weeks to provide information and evidence of why they are increasing direct debits much higher than the anticipated 54% price cap rise. So, myself and Sarah have explored the reasons why this may be happening and the data we are seeing on our CUBES members accounts. Resources: https://mycubes.uk
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    14 mins
  • Heat the Human Not the Home - is this safe advice?

    Heat the Human Not the Home - is this safe advice?
    Apr 29 2022
    In todays episode myself and Sarah are discussing the notion of "Heat the Human not the Home". I've got to be honest I'm baffled by this advice, and worried it is now going to result in unnecessary cold related illness like COPD, Asthma, pneumonia. Living in a cold damp home surely cannot be something we are encouraging in 2022 its a step to far?! Influencers are now offering advice to consumers who can't afford to pay their energy costs since the price cap rise that they should consider buying a sleeping bag to sit in at home with a hot water bottle, to wear fingerless USB gloves, buy USB body warmers and electric person blankets, if they can't afford to heat their home. How safe is this advice? And who does it benefit really? We support the reduction of energy waste and changing consumer behaviour to the point of energy optimisation and heating the home to a safe level. However for me this is not the right advice. A warm home is not a luxury.
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    23 mins
  • Through the Eyes of 12 Year Old George Broad

    Through the Eyes of 12 Year Old George Broad
    Apr 27 2022
    In this episode I'm joined by 12 year old George Broad. George is an aspiring author, who is currently writing his first book about this experience of life during lockdown. what that meant for him and life since then. I caught up with George to ask him about what he makes of everything he's sees and hears on the news at the moment, concerning the cost of living and energy crisis, the war in Ukraine and covid. He has a big question for Boris Johnson too! I was left extremely humbled by his innocence and maturity. It's important we all understand the impact the way we report 'news' is received particularly by the younger generation.
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    14 mins
  • Household Support Scheme & Meatless Mondays

    Household Support Scheme & Meatless Mondays
    Apr 27 2022
    In this episode Sarah is answering questions from our Facebook community regarding the Household Support Fund and who is eligible to apply, where to apply and what it covers. We also take a closer look at social media posts and news articles we've read this week and respond to comments that we have seen. To finish off the podcast with a great money saving tip we discuss the concept of Meatless Mondays, which we have blogged about recently. I'm personally saving £15 per week by have chickenless, limbless, beefless meals. We hope you find this episode useful. Resources mycubes.uk
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    20 mins
  • Checking Benefit Entitlements & Organisations Who Can Help You

    Checking Benefit Entitlements & Organisations Who Can Help You
    Apr 27 2022
    In today's episode of Lifting the Lid, I'm joined in the studio by my colleague Sarah. We are discussing how to check all of the benefits you may be entitled to as a household. Benefits are not only for people who are job seeking, there are £15bn of unclaimed benefits in the UK and there is a very quick and easy way to check if you are missing out. I'll be sharing some of my own past struggles and experiences of fuel poverty and how this affected me. What I did, how we can support and what you can do if you are struggling like I was. Resources https://mycubes.uk
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    29 mins
  • Trailer Lifting the Lid

    Trailer Lifting the Lid
    Apr 27 2022
    I don't know anyone who enjoys dealing with their energy bills or speaking to their energy suppliers. Life is short, why waste any of it trying to resolve billing errors, tariff issues and so much more when your energy supplier doesn't get things right. I'm Jo Gilbert and after working in the UK Energy sector for 22 years and seeing the same issues arise over and over again, I decided to set-up CUBES - Customer Utility Bills Expertly Serviced. A complete energy account management service. Helping consumers to understand their energy bills, lifting the lid on some of the hidden charges and commissions inflating their energy costs each year. Ensuring our members get the very best service, the fairest energy tariffs and an account that is optimised every month and checked for errors. We look after and manage our members energy bills for them. Lifting the Lid Podcast is here to provide our listeners with our inside knowledge, thoughts, advice and guidance on some of the real big hitting topics in the news each week concerning energy bills, cost of living, fuel poverty, energy saving, renewable energy, benefit entitlement and so much more. We encourage consumers to join us on the podcast to share their experiences so together we can support more consumers in resolving some of the most common issues we see with uk energy suppliers and energy bills. We want to ensure the consumer is heard. We are here to champion you - We See You! We Hear You! We Are You! CUBES is not-for-profit, our members pay us, we have no commercial relationships with any any suppliers, there are no hidden commissions or charges. We stand firmly on the side of the consumer. Resources https://mycubes.uk
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    4 mins