O/T:- ⚠️Impressed with the leadership [The UK Party Politics Thread]

[SmiffyPie]

Not going to blame 1 party above the other, but I see Severn Trent are planning to increase bills by 47% in next 5 years but will pay increased dividends going forwards. Sod prioritising renationalisation of the railways, this has to take priority as it is a true monopoly situation that businesses are taking clear advantage of whilst OFFWAT does nothing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvge6d1dx6mo

Agree with that, I can get from A - B by a variety of means (or not go) but I need power and water to survive. All the utility companies are taking the wazz and should be brought under control so that the consumer gets a fair deal and not be milked for the sake of some investor (whether they are pension companies or not!).

[Old_pie]

Agree with that, I can get from A - B by a variety of means (or not go) but I need power and water to survive. All the utility companies are taking the wazz and should be brought under control so that the consumer gets a fair deal and not be milked for the sake of some investor (whether they are pension companies or not!).

So kill off the dividends, no more investment funds, higher bills to raise even more money. If it were still government owned then taxes would have to rise and the government is beyond its borrowing limit already.

In my view the government did very well in selling off an outdated underfunded resource, a bit like RT buying Notts post-Munto. There was more to be fixed than met the eye. Similarly with rail - outdated, dramatically requiring major infrastructure upgrades but the government opted out for decades of doing the necessary work. Personally I do not understand any business wanting these enterprises and the chickens are now coming home to roost except the directors get some good bonuses out of being unable to deliver.

[SmiffyPie]

So kill off the dividends, no more investment funds, higher bills to raise even more money. If it were still government owned then taxes would have to rise and the government is beyond its borrowing limit already.

In my view the government did very well in selling off an outdated underfunded resource, a bit like RT buying Notts post-Munto. There was more to be fixed than met the eye. Similarly with rail - outdated, dramatically requiring major infrastructure upgrades but the government opted out for decades of doing the necessary work. Personally I do not understand any business wanting these enterprises and the chickens are now coming home to roost except the directors get some good bonuses out of being unable to deliver.

We are talking now not 30+ years ago when the unions pulled all the strings.

[Old_pie]

We are talking now not 30+ years ago when the unions pulled all the strings.

Do you really believe that the current, or even near recent, governments have the finances, or financial will, to fix the decades of underinvestment in national infrastructure?

Bliar had plenty of opportunity and years in which to reverse much that Thatcher introduced.

Let's put it another way; name one government enterprise that is really working well. You can introduce local government in that list if you wish.

[Med Pie]

Do you really believe that the current, or even near recent, governments have the finances, or financial will, to fix the decades of underinvestment in national infrastructure?

Bliar had plenty of opportunity and years in which to reverse much that Thatcher introduced.

Let's put it another way; name one government enterprise that is really working well. You can introduce local government in that list if you wish.

I can't understand why local government and councils, have been averse to the construction of council estates. They are self, financing, bringing in income and creating jobs by way of maintenance.

On a separate note, Starmer has prevented the allocation of a whole, life, tariff for the crimes of the Southport monster because in the eyes of the law and under a UN (non binding) resolution, he was a child when he committed the crime and yet, Starmer is keen on giving votes to those aged six****, double standard at play. How can people who are not held, fully accountable to the law because of their immaturity, be allowed to influence the political, direction of the nation, any chance that it's because Starmer knows they are more likely to vote Labour? Similarly, he won't rock the boat with the Muslim voters by calling out certain, cultural incompatibilities.

[Med Pie]

So kill off the dividends, no more investment funds, higher bills to raise even more money. If it were still government owned then taxes would have to rise and the government is beyond its borrowing limit already.

In my view the government did very well in selling off an outdated underfunded resource, a bit like RT buying Notts post-Munto. There was more to be fixed than met the eye. Similarly with rail - outdated, dramatically requiring major infrastructure upgrades but the government opted out for decades of doing the necessary work. Personally I do not understand any business wanting these enterprises and the chickens are now coming home to roost except the directors get some good bonuses out of being unable to deliver.

Many peoples pension, investment portfolios, depend heavily or at least in part, on utilities because they're such a guaranteed, cash cow.

[Med Pie]

Agree with that, I can get from A - B by a variety of means (or not go) but I need power and water to survive. All the utility companies are taking the wazz and should be brought under control so that the consumer gets a fair deal and not be milked for the sake of some investor (whether they are pension companies or not!).

People should rebel as with tv licence, not sure how many people know that because water is so ***** to life, they cannot cut you off for not paying your bill.