http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ipm/2008/04/suggest_a_story_for_may_4.shtml en-gb 30 Fri 01 Jan 2010 07:48:17 GMT+1 A feed of user comments from the page found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ipm/2008/04/suggest_a_story_for_may_4.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ipm/2008/04/suggest_a_story_for_may_4.shtml?page=17#comment8 May I also add my views on this topic. As an 'rural oil user' not only are we penalised by the ever rising cost of oil/oil delivery and the obvious threat of theft, and the added cost of VAT but neither can we enjoy any dual fuel discounts.My (partial) solution was to install solar water heating but this is expensive the grants are pathetic (this government is clearly not encouraging individuals to reduce domestic power consumption). You have to calculate whether the pay back period is worthwhile (will you live long enough/live in your house long enough). But if you do at least in the summer period you can save a lot on the oil and still enjoy hot baths when the sun shines. Even in winter the sun on a frosty morning will take the edge off the otherwise near freezing water thus saving a little oil.But really the government could be a little more generous with the heating allowance for those of us on fixed incomes - but don't hold your breath. Heat or eat is the motto for Labour. Sat 03 May 2008 16:58:40 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ipm/2008/04/suggest_a_story_for_may_4.shtml?page=15#comment7 Heating oil in the Scottish Highlands is now 58p + VAT per litre. No gas here and changing to other forms of heating means a capital investment beyond the means of most of us. Our heating is now off until October and we are wearing our woolies! Sat 03 May 2008 16:43:14 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ipm/2008/04/suggest_a_story_for_may_4.shtml?page=13#comment6 Story on the rising costs of home heating oil?We received two emails on the subject this weekThe first came from Martin in County Durham:We hear much about the increases in gas, electricity and road fuel prices - which have gone up by about 20% - but little about what has happened to the price of home heating oil - the main form of heating for some 1,000,000 properties (so I am led to believe) - mostly in rural areas where there is no gas supply.A few years ago is was less than 15p/litre, and last year it was about 30p/l.Now we are lucky to find it for 55p/l - that's about 75% in a year, and in some places it has doubled in that time.Add to this the fact that rural petrol/diesel prices can be 10p/l or more than the town prices (I am paying 125p/l for diesel) and you can see why the number of 'fuel poor' in the countryside is rapidly increasing - something that your 'crunch' map seems to be indicating as well.And the second from Michael in Devon:While the high cost of petrol and diesel is of concern to motorists, the biggest worry is the high cost of domestic fuel oil, we live in a small village on Dartmoor and in common with most of the people in outlying areas we have to rely on domestic fuel oil to heat and in some cases cook.Since last August the cost of filling an oil tank has increased by approximately 60% and we are nearing the stage of an average oil tank costing close on a £1,000 to fill. This is on top of the 17/18% rise in electricity (we have not got mains gas on Dartmoor). Most residents have to fill their oil tank at least twice a year and by this coming winter a lot of people will not be able to afford it.We as a village have contact our local MP to see if he can help us, but I would suggest that any of your listeners who are as worried as we are, and there must be thousands, lobby their MP. Surely it cannot be in the realms of impossibility for the government to force the big oil companies to cap the cost of domestic fuel oil, this would hardly impinge on their vast profits but would enable people reliant on oil to keep warm in the winter. Wed 30 Apr 2008 15:45:38 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ipm/2008/04/suggest_a_story_for_may_4.shtml?page=11#comment5 On Saturday 1st March,2008, two members of Merseyside Animal Rights were holding an information stall at the bottom of Bold St. in Liverpool city centre; the stall was inform ing people about the connection between the over-consumption of meat and climate change and to alert people to the plight of old people living in residential care homes of whom 60% are being given neuroleptic drugs (tested on animals) to keep them quiet and who die 6 months sooner than would otherwise be the case (for those on these strong sedatives for 2 years the death-rate is doubled)(BBCnews 29/3/2007). The 2 MAR members were informed by PC 8008 Phil Tower of Merseyside Police that Merseyside Police had been instructed by Liverpool City Council that the Council did not want anything "contentious" on the streets during Liverpool's year as Capital of Culture 2008 and to get rid of it. PC 8008 threatened to arrest the couple for obstructing the highway even though their stall was against the wall in a pedestrianised area about 25 yards wide and it was obvious that no pedestrians' progress was being impeded. They packed up their stall. A letter was sent to Mr Warren Bradley , leader of Liverpool City Council on 9th March asking him to confirm or deny the truth of what PC 8008 had said; to date no reply has been received from Mr Bradley. Tue 29 Apr 2008 19:42:37 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ipm/2008/04/suggest_a_story_for_may_4.shtml?page=8#comment4 I have observed Councillors, being unusually active in the days running up to local & London Mayoral elections, where they are reporting street faults. In doing this, they put limited resources under a lot of pressure, while appearing to try to impress. Is this not a breach of electoral rules? Tue 29 Apr 2008 18:03:34 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ipm/2008/04/suggest_a_story_for_may_4.shtml?page=6#comment3 Story- ambulance crews taking victims' DNA-A year ago this May I was attacked by a gang of 15 asian youths. i defended myslf and required a check up in an ambulance called to the scene. The crew took DNA swab - (i only learned this afterwards talking to a policeman) - the crew member lied to me at the time saying it was part of the blood pressure test taking saliva.Sincd then i have been atempting to get Home Office to1. explain to me who and why they have ordered DNA to be taken without permission2. whether i am on a National DNA database or not3. Who do i speak to to get off this NDNAD4. Why are thy doing this?to date - no Body- Home Office, Office of Information, Jacqui Smith, has had the courtesy to reply. I see this as a dark and sinister corruption of my liberties. I would love to do a segment showing just how orwelian this govt is in the matter of DNA. I am an ex army officer so not exactly a hgih terror/ criminal type and have zero convictions. Mon 28 Apr 2008 14:24:38 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ipm/2008/04/suggest_a_story_for_may_4.shtml?page=4#comment2 This post has been Removed Sun 27 Apr 2008 19:02:12 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ipm/2008/04/suggest_a_story_for_may_4.shtml?page=2#comment1 I keep hearing about child poverty on the news, nothing is ever said about the fact that it seems to be acceptable in this country for parents not to support their children financially. Other countries appear to manage this so much better, it's considered shameful in America if you don't pay child support, and non paying parents are looked on with disgust. Why haven't we got the same attitude? Do we perhaps not view parenthood in the same way? Sun 27 Apr 2008 14:18:43 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ipm/2008/04/suggest_a_story_for_may_4.shtml?page=0#comment0 It's Sandy Toksvigs 50th - why not ask her?Failing that, something on Ecotowns? Sat 26 Apr 2008 16:50:22 GMT+1