This £100 billion figure is from a report funded by the Privatised Water Industry to lobby against Nationalisation.

Why is a Labour MP regurgitating industry lies?

  • manualoverride@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    I’d love this to be a 4 step plan however…

    Step 5, Watch the collapse of virtually all private pensions in the UK as their value drops due to heavy investment in various water companies.

    Step 6, Watch the gilt markets collapse as the UK government is seen as reckless and anti business as it removes assets from private investors.

    Step 7, government borrowing goes up just as debt to GDP goes flying past 100%.

    Step 8, government collapses and Nigel Farage comes swinging to the “rescue” by stuffing as many of the remaining £50 notes passing through the government into his pockets, and the pockets of his friends, while selling off the NHS and making the UK the first nation in the world to revert back into a 3rd world country.

    • G4Z@feddit.uk
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      3 days ago

      Step 5, Watch the collapse of virtually all private pensions in the UK as their value drops due to heavy investment in various water companies.

      Overstated I would say, pensions are heavily diversified.

      Step 6, Watch the gilt markets collapse as the UK government is seen as reckless and anti business as it removes assets from private investors.

      If the government continues paying interest on the bonds, why would the markets collapse?

      • manualoverride@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        You know what you’re right “collapse” of the pensions is overstated, but it will hit “low risk” pensions by a couple of percentage points. Low risk pensions options are mostly owned by people in their 60s who are keeping a close eye on their retirement income, and who also vote in large numbers, not the people you want to make clear you are going to take away a few hundred a month for the rest of their lives.

        Just today government borrowing went up just because the growth forecast was a little worse then expected. If the government is suddenly on the hook for tens of billions in water infrastructure investment at the same time they are seen as anti-business and willing to rug-pull private investment, you bet foreign governments will sell their investments in the UK.

        • G4Z@feddit.uk
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          2 days ago

          Just today government borrowing went up just because the growth forecast was a little worse then expected. If the government is suddenly on the hook for tens of billions in water infrastructure investment at the same time they are seen as anti-business and willing to rug-pull private investment, you bet foreign governments will sell their investments in the UK.

          We don’t need ‘foreign investment’, it’s nothing but a euphemism for allowing foreigners to own our shit. Doesn’t matter if it’s government debt or houses, it causes inflation and it’s just selling our futures.

          Fuck foreign investment, might as well just print it ourselves or just take it from those that already have far too much.

          Enough of letting finance spivs dictate how shit goes in my opinion.

          If we let them win, we lose, if we fight them they will mess with ‘the market’ and generate as much FUD as they can but it’s the only weapon they have and we need to take it off them, one way or another.

          • manualoverride@lemmy.world
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            2 days ago

            The investments I was referring to was gilts, which is how the government borrows money from foreign countries and private investors.

            We do absolutely need foreign investment as our national debt is currently £2.7 trillion (about £40k per person)

            If governments start selling that debt, then higher interest rates will be demanded for new gilts by those willing to still buy them.

      • manualoverride@lemmy.world
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        3 days ago

        In that case I know a political party you’ll love… until the “find out” period comes for you.

        Just ignore what is happening elsewhere, I’m sure it will be different here.

    • thr0w4w4y2@sh.itjust.works
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      3 days ago

      100% I’d love to see nationalised utilities more than anyone else but we need to be realistic that the choices are:

      1. the government spends an obscene amount of money to buy out the private interests, economy collapses and faraj gets in, or
      2. the government changes laws and takes ownership of the companies (and the debts) some way, needs to borrow tons to service the debts, economy collapses and faraj gets in, or
      3. the government just straight up steals control and the shareholders eat the losses. The above scenario plays out where pension funds collapse, the country is punished by investors withdrawing, economy collapses, faraj gets in. Free holidays to El salvador all round.
      • manualoverride@lemmy.world
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        3 days ago

        There is another way… the new government regulator can force terms on the water companies that limit bill hikes, pay, dividends and bonuses until the upgrades they were supposed to do over the last 40 years are completed and their debts are repaid.

        The pensions take a bit of a hit without wiping them out and the government is just ensuring the vital infrastructure is upgraded and sewage is treated as promised when they privatised.

        • sunzu2@thebrainbin.org
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          3 days ago

          US uses regulatory commissions for electricity among other utilities…

          It doesnt work.

          The parasite captured it too. I am not even sureif anything works due to culture of corruption within Corp and state institutions

      • sunzu2@thebrainbin.org
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        3 days ago

        There is nothing that can be done tbh… just let them loot it. fuck it, who cares. The rich deserve to live their best lives.

        • thr0w4w4y2@sh.itjust.works
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          3 days ago

          No, they need to be made to put it right. But that requires a strong regulatory framework, sustained pressure from government backed with expertise and oversight from a capable civil service and it will take years.

          Or we can burn it all down and get faraj who will not give two shits about water quality. The choice is ours.

          • sunzu2@thebrainbin.org
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            3 days ago

            I am with yo but there is clearly a strong bootlicker sentiment in this thread tbh

            Muhh property 🤡