Heating bills - a fairer way?

[jockscott]

Great idea , anobium. Can't see the government going for that one though. Just think of all those people in Bristol put out of work when TV Licencing closed. And,, just what would all those licence inspectors do?? (they could become Jehovahs Witnesses, cause their good at knocking on doors)

 

[JBR]

Not just the BBC and TV licences. There is a great deal of wastage in this country at all levels.

A couple that spring to mind:

The Royal Navy - apparently we have more admirals than ships.
Local councils - equality and diversity officers.

I'm sure, given time and a bit of research, I could think of many more.

 

[CaptainCaveman289]

Nationalise it.

Remove profit for shareholders, base 'profit' yield on projected investment,
shortfalls to be met by government, because; afterall it is national infrastructure.

While we're at it lets do water, telecoms, 'public' transport, insurance and banking.
(look at the recent, gigantic bungle that was Royal Mail privatisation...)

Removing a private profit motive from these industries puts control of the infrastructure back in the public's interest and should see reduced costs through elimination of the profiteering of the failed competition system.

 

[tony1851]

Removing a private profit motive from these industries puts control of the infrastructure back in the public's interest and should see reduced costs through elimination of the profiteering of the failed competition system.

Nonsense; governments are completely inept when it comes to running businesses - look at the BBC, and the escalating costs of the two new carriers for the navy, for example.

Prices can be kept lower by the free-market. One of the reasons why our power bills are so high are the ridiculous levies imposed by government to pay for wind turbines and other useless forms of power generation

 

[breadnbutter]

make it free heating during the winter for the pensioners, how hard is that, its disgusting that people in this country die of the cold.
The government are still dishing out millions in aid to a country who said we dont want it,and they still send it. it all stinks,

 

[CaptainCaveman289]

Nonsense; governments are completely inept when it comes to running businesses - look at the BBC, and the escalating costs of the two new carriers for the navy, for example.

Prices can be kept lower by the free-market. One of the reasons why our power bills are so high are the ridiculous levies imposed by government to pay for wind turbines and other useless forms of power generation

Not suggesting it should be directly central government controlled, however; removing the profit motive is likely to benefit.
The energy free market has failed, some things don't lend themselves to such a system.

 

[JohnD]

some pensioners are rich, and some pensioners are poor. Some people who are not pensioners are poor. Who should get free energy?

Some pensioners with no additional income or savings get pension credit and other benefits.

 

[tony1851]

Not suggesting it should be directly central government controlled, however; removing the profit motive is likely to benefit.
The energy free market has failed, some things don't lend themselves to such a system.

It comes down to public- or private ownership of the utilities.
While private is certainly not perfect, public ownership of any enterprise usually leads to waste on a massive scale.

 

[CaptainCaveman289]

It's in relation to scale, huge private companies also have a gigantic culture of waste.

If the system is setup correct from the off, most of the waste creation can be avoided.

I work for large international company, the culture of waste is insane.
Conversely, my partner is in the public sector and the institution she works at appears to have their finances bang in order.

Another note is that alot of private companies make a killing by playing public sector and large business purchase systems like a cheap fiddle.
Again, greed and profiteering.