What episode of Black Mirror is this?
A man became a very unique This Morning competition winner today after getting his energy bills paid for the rest of 2022 amid the cost of living crisis.
On Monday morning’s show, hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby brought back their fan favourite Spin The Wheel segment … but with a twist.
Phil explained: “This week we’ve got our usual cash prizes, but you could also win some extra cash to pay your energy bills until the end of the year. That’s four months of energy bills taken care of.”
Of course, the country is in a bit of state with the rise of energy bills which is probably why Holly added: “Wow, that’s very important right now.”
Caller Alex from Enfield decided to go for the wheel, which featured £1,000 and £3,000 prizes as well as several chances to win energy bills paid for the rest of 2022.
Asked if he was worried about the rising cost of energy, Alex admitted: “Massively. I’ve got one of these prepayment meters and it’s absolutely murder.”
When the wheel landed on ‘energy bill’ Alex reacted to the news: “Oh my God! Thank you! Fantastic, what a relief, thank you very much!”
Now, while many of us are happy for Alex, and probably wish we were him right now, many viewers pointed out that there didn’t need to be such a spectacle on television.
#ThisMorning has turned completely dystopian and Black Mirror by offering to pay energy bills as a competition prize. pic.twitter.com/hs1DD6NXbo
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) September 5, 2022
Viewers couldn’t believe what they were watching, with plenty of people blasting the need for such a “tone deaf” spectacle on television.
“Incredibly depressing. And the guy sounds so relived makes me sad”, said one viewer, while another added, “#ThisMorning having ‘energy bills’ as a prize on their Spin To Win is the most dystopian and sad reflection on society right now… How did we get to this point? Madness.”
Another social media user wrote: “If this doesn’t perfectly showcase what a dire state this country is in. Tv shows like #ThisMorning are now having to help us pay energy bills, that’s what 12 years of tories has given us. (sic)”
This comes as Liz Truss was announced as the new Conservative party on Monday. The incoming Prime Minister is expected to unveil a package of support ‘on the scale of the furlough scheme’ to help Brits through the cost-0f-living crisis.
Both The Times and The Telegraph have reported that a bill freeze is on the cards to avoid energy ‘Armageddon’.
The average UK household spends currently stands at £3,549 a year, already too much for many, but grim warnings say it could soar to £6,616 in 2023.
Polling has shown nearly one in four Brits won’t turn the heating on this winter due to the price increases, with ‘warm banks’ being considered by several councils.
Calculations by the Financial Times show her tax cuts and defence spending pledges, coupled with spiralling inflation and the growing cost of the UK government debt, will create a £60 billion hole in the public finances by 2026.
An energy bill price freeze will cost a similarly eye-watering amount.
This article originally appeared on Joe.co.uk.
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