FISCAL TIFF

That's what I've been having with the local gas board who have sent me an early Christmas "present" in the form of a truly enormous domestic gas bill.

Admittedly I am not Sicilian enough to pride myself on not using the heating during the winter months but, quite apart from the fact that I actually think one's home should be comfortable, I do have asthma, arthritis and Raynaud's disease, all of which are aggravated by the cold. 

I've been a good girl and have paid my bimonthly gas bills upon their arrival all year so this extra one, for such a large amount, was a real shock.  I am told it is a conguaglio or "adjustment" and have spoken to several other people who have received similar unpleasant surprises. Even though the gas company has agreed to payment in three installments, it is still an almost impossible amount to find in addition to payment of the new gas bills which will continue to come.

This conguaglio is a scandal and, although Italy does not have as many competing energy companies as the UK, there are some. What we need here is a scheme like this one in Belgium and I might just start one.