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Original poster

How did they get away with privatising public services?

134 replies

Newname85 · 21/01/2025 07:47

Whoever thought it was a good idea to privatise rail services, airports etc - how exactly did they get away with it?

How did anyone believe that adding profits on the top will somehow result in better service/ ROI?

I returned yesterday from a short trip to visit family. At the airport, you are asked to throw water away for security check. But, you are forced to buy it at £3.50 for a small bottle. How is this fair?
Restaurants serve ridiculously expensive food, but no obligation to serve water. wtf ??

The other day, I saw an advertisement from SouthEastern. Why exactly do they need to advertise!??? SE trains are the only option I have !!

OP posts:
Catza · 21/01/2025 08:20

There are water refill stations at every airport. All you need is an empty bottle. If you don't like water fountains, you have an option of buying overpriced water.

madamweb · 21/01/2025 08:18

The press talked a lot about incompetent and lazy public servants and everyone swallowed it hook line and sinker

Now the same services are run by people who are accountable to shareholders rather than the government

DaDaDoDaiDa · 21/01/2025 08:15

See also: right to buy. This is why a fortune in housing benefit is going to line the pockets of private landlords and many renters can't afford to save for a house deposit; and have little security of tenancy.

Thatcher has a lot to answer for.

Tipperttruck · 21/01/2025 08:02

Have a read or what has happened to the probation service if you really want a depressing morning.

Original poster
Newname85 · 21/01/2025 08:00

AKettleOfDifferentFish · 21/01/2025 07:53

The idea was that the private sector would invest in the relevant infrastructure (as a quid pro quo for subsequent profits) so that the taxpayer wouldn't have to. Except they didn't legislate to require them to do so, hence the shitshow that is the water companies.

Edited

And energy companies

OP posts:
BananaNirvana · 21/01/2025 08:00

What the never factored in was greed and lack of accountability - with both factors the fat cats saw public services as a licence to print money.

AKettleOfDifferentFish · 21/01/2025 07:53

The idea was that the private sector would invest in the relevant infrastructure (as a quid pro quo for subsequent profits) so that the taxpayer wouldn't have to. Except they didn't legislate to require them to do so, hence the shitshow that is the water companies.

BananaNirvana · 21/01/2025 07:50

It was Thatcher’s dream. Private good public bad. It’s the mantra of the Tory party 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
Newname85 · 21/01/2025 07:49

Now NHS? Before we know, we’ll be forced to buy water at hospitals at £3.50 a bottle. (You can’t bring your own water as it’s infection risk)

OP posts: