By: Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:05:33 +0000

And we now learn that the French govt has capped electricity and gas prices to 2% and 5% which means, as the Times reports today, that UK consumers (hit by 22% price hikes from EDF) will be subsidising their French counterparts this winter.
How about a hard-hitting comment on the wonders of privatised utilities, and the inability of our govt to restrict prices to the CPI?

By: Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:34:30 +0000

In your eagerness to heap blame yet again on the EU (and I don’t doubt you have a point) you may have forgotten other contributory factors to the hikes in gas prices.
Firstly, the absurd link between gas and oil prices.
Secondly, privatisation of utilities which means that dividends have to be paid to shareholders.
Thirdly, the takeover of these utilities by foreign companies whose principal aim is to screw the UK customer.
Fourthly, the lack of gas storage capacity. We have 13 days, France has 120.
Maybe you could explore these factors in a subsequent article.
[Nick Cowen adds: it is worth noting that the EU is also at the forefront of privatising energy utilities and it would be very difficult for the UK government to re-nationalise them under current EU law. However, I am not opposed to privatisation in principle, although the manner it has been done with energy utilities is highly suspect.]

Comments on: But who is really responsible for high gas prices? You know whEU!

By: Anthony

By: Anthony