ChatterBank2 mins ago
Another example of conservatives living in a fantasy world
http://www.dailymail....says-Chirs-Huhne.html
In my opinion. (A) not everyone wants to shop around because price isn't everything, (B) it is actually a hassle doing so and more importantly (C) all of these companies put the price up eventually so you don't really gain.
Truth is, he's probably claiming his bills on expenses!
In my opinion. (A) not everyone wants to shop around because price isn't everything, (B) it is actually a hassle doing so and more importantly (C) all of these companies put the price up eventually so you don't really gain.
Truth is, he's probably claiming his bills on expenses!
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Well, Chris Huhne is living in a fantasy world, at any rate. This idea of shopping around was his sole answer when British Gas first announced their eye-wateringly large increases in prices, a couple of months ago.
Problem is, that competition does not work to drive down the prices, at least when it comes the power utilities, because those who have control of the production are able to quote pretty much whatever price they want, since the demand for Gas and Oil worldwide is so great. So, his argument is rubbish.The regulator has so far proven to be a largely toothless watchdog, decrying the rises but seemingly unable to control them.
Add to that the crisis last winter where the demand for gas was so great that it threatened to outstrip the Uk gas storage capacity, and it is difficult to see where the consumer has benefited from the privatisation of utilities. Where once we had regional boards of supply, we now have 6-7 private companies, all paying staff for sales, telesales, customer service and marketing, paying large salaries and bonuses to their board of directors, and with a primary obligation of generating a return for their investors.None of this seems likely to improve the position of the UK consumer.
As a domestic consumer, I cannot say that I have seen any improvement in the service, quality and price of the utilities I am supplied with since the utilities were privatised. Seems to me that a powerless regulator and a bunch of rapacious private companies controlling our utilities is a recipe for a future of price rises.
Problem is, that competition does not work to drive down the prices, at least when it comes the power utilities, because those who have control of the production are able to quote pretty much whatever price they want, since the demand for Gas and Oil worldwide is so great. So, his argument is rubbish.The regulator has so far proven to be a largely toothless watchdog, decrying the rises but seemingly unable to control them.
Add to that the crisis last winter where the demand for gas was so great that it threatened to outstrip the Uk gas storage capacity, and it is difficult to see where the consumer has benefited from the privatisation of utilities. Where once we had regional boards of supply, we now have 6-7 private companies, all paying staff for sales, telesales, customer service and marketing, paying large salaries and bonuses to their board of directors, and with a primary obligation of generating a return for their investors.None of this seems likely to improve the position of the UK consumer.
As a domestic consumer, I cannot say that I have seen any improvement in the service, quality and price of the utilities I am supplied with since the utilities were privatised. Seems to me that a powerless regulator and a bunch of rapacious private companies controlling our utilities is a recipe for a future of price rises.
As already stated he is a LibDem Minister in the coalition govnt. But for how
how much longer one wonders. Something as important to the nation as the supply of fuel of any kind should not be in the control of any private companies (let alone foreign ones). The government should re-take control of this matter.
how much longer one wonders. Something as important to the nation as the supply of fuel of any kind should not be in the control of any private companies (let alone foreign ones). The government should re-take control of this matter.
The man is a prat.
I review my energy supplier every year and have changed four or five times in the past ten years. I have just had a quick check on the cost of my average annual consumption and have discovered that the range for those costs from maximum to minimum is less that 3%.
So (A) As far as energy supplier goes, the companies do little else other than supply energy through the same pipes or over the same wires to your premises, so price is more or less everything. (B) Shopping around and changing supplier is no great hassle. (C) You’re right.
I review my energy supplier every year and have changed four or five times in the past ten years. I have just had a quick check on the cost of my average annual consumption and have discovered that the range for those costs from maximum to minimum is less that 3%.
So (A) As far as energy supplier goes, the companies do little else other than supply energy through the same pipes or over the same wires to your premises, so price is more or less everything. (B) Shopping around and changing supplier is no great hassle. (C) You’re right.
Things you should know about Huhne:
///As part of the Daily Telegraph investigation into expense claims by MPs, Huhne was reported to have claimed for various items including groceries, fluffy dusters and a trouser press. In 2006, he claimed £5,066 for painting work on his garden fences and chairs.[63][64] He collected £119 for a mahogany Corby trouser press from John Lewis but later said he would repay the cost in order "to avoid controversy". He later claimed on a live Channel 4 news programme that he needed the trouser press to "look smart" for work.[65] In June 2010, it was revealed that in the second half of 2009, a period after the expenses scandal news story became known, Huhne claimed £14,948 in expenses, including some minor amounts such as a 14p bill for stationery. The claim also included costs incurred in servicing an old boiler at his constituency home. Huhnes office running costs during the 2007/2008 financial year were the 206th highest, out of 645, his second home claims were 580th highest (or 65th cheapest) out of 645, his total expense claims were below average, ranking 418th most expensive./
///As part of the Daily Telegraph investigation into expense claims by MPs, Huhne was reported to have claimed for various items including groceries, fluffy dusters and a trouser press. In 2006, he claimed £5,066 for painting work on his garden fences and chairs.[63][64] He collected £119 for a mahogany Corby trouser press from John Lewis but later said he would repay the cost in order "to avoid controversy". He later claimed on a live Channel 4 news programme that he needed the trouser press to "look smart" for work.[65] In June 2010, it was revealed that in the second half of 2009, a period after the expenses scandal news story became known, Huhne claimed £14,948 in expenses, including some minor amounts such as a 14p bill for stationery. The claim also included costs incurred in servicing an old boiler at his constituency home. Huhnes office running costs during the 2007/2008 financial year were the 206th highest, out of 645, his second home claims were 580th highest (or 65th cheapest) out of 645, his total expense claims were below average, ranking 418th most expensive./
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