Should our utilities. . i.e. gas/electric/water be placed back into public ownership (UK plc)?

Question

I’m a commodities trader by occupation and 52 years old, so my question reflects a knowledge in how the markets are traded. After many years of watching greed and manipulation in the name of profit for the few, I think it’s about time that all of us benefited and had a human right to receive these natural and necessary resources at an affordable price. A non-profit UK owned system of all utilities where cost includes overheads for renewal, replacement and maintenance only. I’m not rich by the way . . . and what I do have after I retire will be returned to a project, which will invest in people (the real future of our country) and not tangible assets.

Answer 1

The prices won't go down, the inefficiency of nationalised industries is well known, back in the 1970s British Steel was losing £1 million a day, that has be be paid for by higher taxation. We all pay taxes in some form. All that nationalised industries promote are jobs for jobsworths.

I heard earlier this week of the large profit made by BP, at the same time realising that this equated to less than 1p for every litre of petrol sold. Not many people realise that this crafty government makes you pay VAT on the actual part of petrol sales already taxed by the government. That's Taxing Taxes. How would you like to pay VAT on top of your income tax?

Answer 2

Yes

Answer 3

Yes - it was a mistake to privatise them.

Answer 4

Yes without a doubt we are sick and tired of all these "fat-cats" ripping of the public of this country.The big question we should be asking is why is it these utilities are increasing now on a weekly basis and,where are our flaming government,enjoying their summer holidays for the next couple of months.What is it going to take for them to get involved?

All public services should be returned back to us so any profits will benefit all and get rid of this culture of those that have it and those who don't.

Answer 5

They should never have been sold off in the first place. It was obvious at the time, except to the gullible, what the final outcome would be, and it's arrived.

Now those who saw the pound signs in their eyes when they were handed a couple of free shares to keep them happy are seeing the light and complaining about the price hikes - what did they really expect to happen??

Water, gas and electricity were classed as "utility services". The clue is in the word "services". They were there to provide a service to the people, not as a profit making organisation for the shareholders, most of whom are now foreign.

At the time of privatisation we were told it would improve the services provided. We now have a rail system that is on a par with third world countries but charges the earth for the privilege, a water system that leaks like a colander whilst they tell us to save the stuff,  electricity suppliers increasing charges for "transporting" down a cable system and gas that has to be stored on the European mainland because we don't have the facilities, and then bought back at an increased price,  for which we have the privilege of paying sky high prices. And they call that progress.

Thatcher sold off the "family jewels" and we are now reaping the consequences.

Answer 6

No, we had enough trouble with running them before so we don't want the back again.

Answer 7

I am younger than yourself and a former Govt Bond Trader.

The issue here is not the ownersgip but the total lack of foresight and investment by our Governments.

When i was at school we being tought in geography that this will happen.  25 yrs ago!!

The governments over the past 30 yrs have failed to provide any investment id renewable, sustainable power for which we do not have to rely on foreign imports.

And as for the Anti everything greens.  They really should be culled.  Nuclear is the way forward.

Answer 8

I think someone should put you in charge