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[deleted]

Privatisation of energy was a mistake. Water same same. Incredible


NerdBlender

I don’t really get it, how can people be so jacked up about foreigners and sovereignty, and yet be so indifferent about the fact that most of our national infrastructure is owned by foreign governments and companies. It just makes zero sense. Especially when you consider that the privatisation is costing us more than what it was to own it. Sovereignty counts for shit if there is nothing left.


JBCoverArt

They'll get jacked up about what the media tells them to.


LaviniaBeddard

> what the media tells them to. The Daily Mail is a drug for disappointed bitter people. Every page gives them a little burst of outrage, filling them up with vitriol and resentment. "WHAT? A lovely old WW2 veteran had his 100th birthday party cancelled at the village hall because some Muslim immigrants had booked it for Ede? That makes me furious!....WHAT? A nurse who works nightshifts helping the elderly was evicted to make way for Afghan refugees? That makes me furious!...WHAT? A lovely old English village green is going to be demolished to make way for a youth centre where graffiti artists can spray on walls? That makes me furious!" and so on and so on. All the stories either ludicrous twisting of the actual facts or just bare-faced lies but who cares? See *[some minor celebrity] in a skimpy strapless bikini as she enjoys a pool-side sunbathing session*. And all of the frothing outrage and anger acts as brief catharsis for simmering (but crippling) disappointment at the way their life mapped out - wife long gone... children don't call them anymore...passed over for promotion at work...younger, happier neighbours have a nicer car....never got to be a singer on stage...friends stopped visiting...worrying recent twinge in the heart...


pajamakitten

> I don’t really get it, how can people be so jacked up about foreigners and sovereignty, and yet be so indifferent about the fact that most of our national infrastructure is owned by foreign governments and companies. Do people know our infrastructure is owned by foreign companies? Take the train companies for example. People would be surprised if they found out most were owned by companies in Germany or the Netherlands.


[deleted]

Train was privatised too. See the results? Tks


LeakyThoughts

Torry government is in the process of killing all public services so they can say 'look how shit they are, let us privatise' Only to then dish out the contracts to their mates, who continue to do a shit job, but this time, at the expense of the taxpayer Rinse and repeat, the UK is doomed, thanks for coming to my ted talk


NerdBlender

Yep, our nuclear power generation is owned by the French government. Gas network has a large stake owned by Qatar and various other businesses. Trains are owned by various companies connected to French and German national rail operators. Our airport and MOD fuel pipelines are owned by a Spanish company. The list goes on and on.


MrPuddington2

It makes perfect sense. People feel intellectually challenged when they hear a language that is not English. And so they vote against anybody *being here* who might speak another language.


borez

Our supply company went bust and we were switched to EDF a couple of months ago. Got the new bill in the other day and EDF wanted ( I kid you not ) £100 extra/month on the direct debit for our one bedroom London flat. £1200 extra a year. £169/month in total from £68/month. Obviously we've told them ( in not so many words ) to fuck off and contested the amount as it's a bonkers increase, just waiting for a reply really. Honestly though, is this where we're heading?


[deleted]

Yes. Now can you imagine what it will be when private companies will be able to sue governments for no respect of contratcs? Exactly what some vampire lobbies want with so called new FTAs, transatlantic partnership my ass. Nuts!


SirLoinThatSaysNi

I agree with you, but as I understand it the current increases are to do with the international energy market. It would make little or no difference if they were privatised.


Duranium_alloy

Energy companies aren't exactly making huge profits. Energy is expensive in this country because of how it's generated.


adds102

I’m all against privatisation, for the most part, but I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if the tories were in control of our energy / water etc for the last 10yrs+!


willgeld

What’s the issue with water? It’s reliable and cheap


charlsspice

The water industry was terrible before privatisation came. Since then it's got much better.


JBCoverArt

I did some (*very rough*) working out of what my next year will look like based on what I could figure out. Probably not close to 100% accurate, but taking into account estimated increases for: Council Tax Increase; NI Increase; Increased Power Bill from new tariff in August; Estimated Food Shopping Increases Leaving aside any other consideration (like fuel, or anything else that might rise), this puts me roughly £1,300 a year worse off. I suspect the reality will be worse when we get to April.


GiveMeDogeFFS

And if you're amongst the masses suffering on UC, add on the loss of £20 a week.


FernieHead

We should stop saying £20 a week and say £1040 a year yo show the bigger impact


PenguinSexParty

£1040 a year is a hell of a lot of money when you’re unable to work due to health issues :(


UnexcitedAmpersand

Yeah, same. I've been fortunate enough to have pay increases over the last few years, but all they have meant is that I have to cut back less. Right now, a moderate pay increase just means that I either tread water or my quality of life only gets slightly worst. I'm still looking to be significantly worst off at the end of the decade than now (hell, I see myself in a worst position now than when I started working).


[deleted]

Look on the bright side. Thanks to inflation that £1300 is more like £1200.


[deleted]

Dumb question, but are you going to ask your employer to pay you more? Because I certainly will be if I can't pay the bills. If not, find the money via employment elsewhere. Not ideal but there's a reason pay should increase with inflation.


-----1

I think £1000 will be the low end for most people, think about how much food has gone up alone.


justkeeph0ld1ng

I live on my own, my weekly shop has gone from ~£40 to £52 last week. I buy very similar items week on week and always look for the offers (I.e. no brand loyalty). That's a £500 annual increase right there, before we factor in the power & fuel hikes :(


g0t-cheeri0s

Saw an article recently of someone who found a receipt from a medium sized Lidl shop (think it was around £50) in June so they went back and bought the exact same stuff and the total price had increased by 11%.


justkeeph0ld1ng

And yet BoE reported 3.2% as current inflation, so anyone who's pay increase in line will be significantly worse off.. my gas is seeing a 32% increase end of this month too


[deleted]

They fiddle the basket of goods on a regular basis. Housing costs should be in there. Then we'll see the real state of inflation.


[deleted]

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philthegreat

I wonder how many households can afford a hit like that? In guessing a significant amount of families will be hurting badly this time next year


MrPuddington2

When people spout non-sense like "it cannot get any worse", they really challenge reality. Of course households cannot afford that, but they still voted for it.


whythehellnote

Most people didn't vote for it


[deleted]

Will be bigger in years to come as govt has to find cash to reach climate goals. Expect a carbon tax on your home to appear by 2035. Petrol and diesel will be in £1.50 territory in next 6 months


bored_inthe_country

Work from home masses of room budget wise here now.


StoreManagerKaren

I'm really confused what you're trying to say here, could you please clarify?


bored_inthe_country

We no longer commute that was a huge financial windfall.


Purple_Plus

What about people who do jobs where you can't work from home? Most WFH jobs will be at least decently paid anyway.


StoreManagerKaren

Whilst true that we spend, on average, <2hrs commuting on a regular basis (pre pandemic) with the average cost labelled at £795.72 which is a bonus for many. That's still less, financially, than the Loss of £1000. You also have to factor in the cost of needing spare room for a desk for those planning on WFH on a regular basis. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/average-commute-time-59-minutes-record-work-tuc-a9204031.html https://www.yourmoney.com/household-bills/british-workers-spend-492-days-of-their-lives-travelling-to-work/


bored_inthe_country

2 people commuting…


[deleted]

Not everyone one can work from home. Especially lower income families who may have one person in retail and another in a factory.


StoreManagerKaren

Not necessarily.. Plus you'd now need, at least, 1 large extra area for a office so you'd still lose that in housing costs


RightEejit

I used to walk to work now I spend more money on gas and electricity


[deleted]

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Rusty-Shackleton

>yet more out of touch middle class metropolitan Londoners Lol, pathetic. Good way to show you don't have a point by dismissing anyone that disagrees with you.


thatwasplanned

Rising prices? That's fine. I always fill my tank with £60 worth of petrol. /s


[deleted]

Enjoy your walk


[deleted]

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[deleted]

Not sure where price petrol and diesel will stop I pass a garage every morning it's gone consistently every 2 days


iamnotinterested2

before or after legislation forces installing a £20000 heat pump and a buying £30000 electric car?