More than an unpleasant surprise, a shock on discovering an adjustment bill. Like many Belgians, Thierry takes care of the accounts of his dad, Roger, and is positive: he intends to call his energy supplier and show them his disagreement, because this year, the observation is clear: the price of gas is fly away.
For the first time, more than a thousand euros is claimed from Roger, who has nevertheless paid several monthly installments. “However, I always pay a little more than what is asked of me, to be sure not to have the joke that I have today“, exclaims this retired foreman.
Thierry explains his resentment to us: “My father is 86, and they probably think he’s old and so it doesn’t matter, he’ll pay. That’s the feeling I get when we call and we don’t get a clear answer“.
Consumption, however, remained the same. Roger, who worked for 49 years, will have to adapt to this new situation. “It was going very well until now, but if I have to pay all that now, I’ll go over the limit, even if it means having to go to the CPAS or the Restos du Coeur.“
The gas bill: two and a half times higher than fuel oil
Armed with his calculator, Philippe did the calculation for a normal winter month. This retired engineer, unbeatable in figures, cannot believe it: in one year, the increase in his gas bill, at variable rates, has reached new heights. “It’s exorbitant, it’s two and a half times the price of someone who heats with oil“, he says.
For him, the energy measures taken by the federal government remain largely insufficient. “They are crumbs, not to say dust, they make fun of people, it is clear and net.“
Sent from January to April, regularization invoices force the most precarious to make credit: for two years, the average value of unpaid bills has increased from 400 to 550 euros and continues to climb.