So South West Water are introducing, without discussion, surge pricing (otherwise known as exploitation). Water bills in summer will rise by 300% and there will be a MUCH smaller decrease in winter!
So the reasoning – most of all to keep the profits of shareholders and the bonus payments to executives as high as possible. This is not capitalism, just extortion. I have no recourse to oter suppliers – I will still get a bill if I live in a field with no water or sewage disposal!
I think this is a tremendously difficult situation, but also thet Starmer needs to be brave – let the companies falter, share price down as fines mount up. No rises in bills above inflation. They can then justifiably nationalise them to keep the infrastructure going. Foreign investors are already writing down their investment value and the capitalist answer is absolute. Whether the governemnt can find the funds for the necessary investment – well, the latest figures show that government bonds issued for loans are over subscribed at lowish interest rates. So lets do it ! – water bills will pay for what we receive and not foreign investors!
I just had a thought – will the NHS introduce surge pricing in winter months?