Energy Prices

[Dorcus]

it’s common sense, it’s as though the country’s population is being held to ransom.

Totally agree!

[Vindec]

Utilities should not be run for shareholder profit as they are too vital to the country. Imagine how much more could have been invested in infrastructure and renewables if they hadn't been lining shareholder pockets.

In theory I agree. But one of the main advantages of privatisation from the government's perspective was that any money required for infrastructure improvement would be paid by users rather than the taxpayer. When utilities were in public ownership, infrastructure improvement requirements had to compete for government money with other things and sadly revenues earned by public owned utilities were often diverted elsewhere.

[the other bob wilson]

If you take all the profits off the energy companies, they will stop investing in infrastructure, development of alternative resources and most importantly, staff. How is that going to help anything or anyone ? People like you also continually advocate re nationalisation of energy companies - how much do you think that will cost ? A lot more than subsidising energy prices now to the tune of £180bn is the answer. You moan about taxes going up to pay for it, yet you support political ideas that would tax people until the pips squeak. Your socialist ideals are morally and economically bankrupt and luckily the majority of the population can see through it.

It’s all those dirty socialists’ fault isn’t it. It’s as if the last twelve years hasn’t happened with you. Tell me, what was the point of austerity?

[PontBlue]

In theory I agree. But one of the main advantages of privatisation from the government's perspective was that any money required for infrastructure improvement would be paid by users rather than the taxpayer. When utilities were in public ownership, infrastructure improvement requirements had to compete for government money with other things and sadly revenues earned by public owned utilities were often diverted elsewhere.

I agree that money could be diverted elsewhere and that's one of the risks of nationalisation. However, the users would pay for infrastructure improvements whether nationalised or privatised and I suspect there's less bill avoidance in this country compared to tax avoidance.

[dandywarhol]

How do you bypass a smart meter?
Asking for a friend.