Once upon a time, didn't pounds and pence have a non-decimal (and much more confusing) relationship?

Kat's right in that the new high prices should provide some kind of contribution to constructive efforts to use energy in a saner manner, and the governments and their bosses the oil companies are not doing so directly. However, the sudden price increase is indirectly contributing to real progress by motivating individuals to conserve, buy more efficient cars and appliances, etc. Won't change things overnight, of course...