Jos Biggs has had enough of August !! Read on :-

I’ve heard that there is a Rule of Six: A person can survive for 6 minutes without air, 6 days without water and 6 weeks without food.

I never intend to test the trueism of this statement, but presumably somebody did. 

I want to add another trueism: It is my own personal one, and whereas I haven’t actually perished in the proving of it I maintain that I can survive no more than 1 day in August without air-con.

I wouldn’t be happy, but I would survive adequately if not comfortably without: My car, my microwave, my hob, my fridge/freezer, my telly, my phone, my computer and printer, and if we are talking about August then I would add clothes - bed or personal, or both.

Must-haves would be: Running water to include a toilet, loo paper, toothpaste, soap, and a roof over my head.

So I would be: Living naked in my carport, nice and fragrant with spectacularly clean teeth in a cool stream of air wafted at me by the air-con.

However, I have spotted a flaw in this idyllic hermit’s life style - electricity! I need it to run the air-con. And if I’ve got electricity I might as well have my microwave, my hob, my fridge/freezer, my telly, my phone, my computer and printer! And of course my house - all these luxuries will have to be put somewhere!

The only thing that I can think that I might be able to do without is clothes. But then I would have no pockets, so where would I put my hankie - please don’t answer that one!!

Thank goodness September is just round the corner -I’ve had enough of August, which seems to have gone on forever, much longer than a normal month usually takes!

*Driving licence negotiations*

The negotiations remain a top priority and teams are working hard to conclude them as quickly as possible. In the last two weeks, we have made further progress on the annexes and we and DfT are currently waiting for the Spanish to come back to us on some outstanding points. As soon as we have anything further to update on, we will let you know.

We are very aware of the difficulties and frustration this is causing many of you – particularly in the heat of the summer. We read all your messages and continue to share examples of the difficulties being faced with the negotiating teams. A reminder that if you find yourself in a really vulnerable position, please do call our consular team on 0034 917 146 300 who will do their best to advise on any support that may be available.

A few people have asked me today about an additional charge on their electricity bill.this is the explanation 

The cap on the price of gas and how it affects your electricity bill

An urgent, temporary measure has been taken to establish a cap on the price of gas used to generate electricity. This not only directly affects the wholesale market, but also your electricity bill.

Cap on the price of gas: what it is, why, when and how this measure is applied

What is it? Gas used in thermal power plants to generate electricity has a new price cap. This measure was approved by the Government by means of a Royal Decree Law.

Why? The aim is to reduce the prices of electricity in the wholesale market.

When? It is an urgent, temporary measure, which applies from June 15, 2022 and until it is decided to cancel it (at most it would last until 31 May 2023).

How? The aim of establishing a cap on gas prices is to reduce the price of electricity in the wholesale market. But "putting a cap" on gas has a cost for everyone, since it is necessary to compensate those plants which will continue to buy gas in international markets. This measure will be financed by all consumers in accordance with the established regulatory conditions.

How the cap on gas prices affects your electricity bill

How does it affect you if you are in the unregulated market?

The cap on gas prices may appear on your bill in two ways:

Red Eléctrica (REE) costs: from 15 June 2022, all electricity clients living on the Mainland need to assume this small cost (those in the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla are exempt).

OMIE costs: this cost is higher than the above and applies to Mainland clients who sign a new electricity contract from 26 April 2022 onwards, as well as those who renew a contract in force or change any of the terms.  

These costs will appear on a line in your bill entitled "Cost for gas price cap RDL 10/2022".