Trying to freeze utility prices - can a labour supporter please explain how?

kabayiri

The energy companies must be struggling as it is.

In the case of RWE Npower, one chief exec (Volker Beckers) ensured the company paid no UK tax using the ruse of channeling tax-deductible interest via Malta. This would have undoubtedly helped them keep their head above water

In his new position as a HMRC director I would hope Mr Becker could advise the other energy companies how to survive a Milliband era!

antrobus

michaels wrote: »

I think we like to think that when a 'stupid' policy is announced it shows that the politicians are stupid but actually we should remember that they are not,........

You clearly have not read the Labour Party's general election manifesto for 1983. And have forgotten all about the Community Charge aka the poll tax.

michaels

CLAPTON wrote: »

a little unclear why the Utility companies want a labour victory

Because they have increased prices in advance of the fix which obviousy makes extra profit plus labour are fixing prices so that they don't really have to compete against each other once the fix has been brought in (note as part of the agreement they must grumble as much as possible about what a bad deal they are getting as it is all just the publicity that labour wants to generate). Look at 'regulated monopolies' like water supply, I don't see to many companies struggling under only being allowed to earn a 'fixed' rate of profit, simply maximise capital employed and senior execs pay to make sure you don't earn too much.

grizzly1911

Rinoa wrote: »

This chart produced by the EU commission.



UK prices for both industry and household look competitive.

This has been discussed before - the raw prices aren't the full story.

Country taxation policies play into the pricing amongst others AIUI.

black_taxi_2

I hate uncertainty when it comes to paying utility bills,this is a huge smokescreen,what happens when freeze is lifted do prices double?

this policy is DOOMED

michaels

antrobus wrote: »

You clearly have not read the Labour Party's general election manifesto for 1983. And have forgotten all about the Community Charge aka the poll tax.

Didn't the Falklands rather override politics as normal in 1983?

The 'community charge' probably played as a vote winner in focus groups, stopping the 'feccless' voting for local spending on themselves which they didn't actualy pay for as they paid no local taxes themselves. It was obviously not anticipated that it would be spun as a tax on democracy - even bright people get it wrong sometimes when they are competing against other bright people. The Labour party and BBC are trying to play the same strategy with the bedroom tax, I don't suppose any Tory spinmeister would have the mindset to imagine that a reduction in benefits could be christened as a tax. Part of the reason Mr Mandelsson was so good at the dark arts is he could understand what all political segments would think of a policy rather than just framing responses through a prism of labour beliefs.

antrobus

michaels wrote: »

Didn't the Falklands rather override politics as normal in 1983?...

Didn't stop the manifesto from being the "longest suicide note in history".

michaels wrote: »

...The 'community charge' probably played as a vote winner in focus groups,....

The Labour Party are making similar claims about their new energy 'policy'.:)

grizzly1911

ILW wrote: »

Just start using our massive coal reserves again and tell the Greenies to shove it.

I have never seen a Polar bear in my life and can always look at archive footage if I want to.

An unexpected consequence of Thatcher policy means we have a nice coal reserve tucked away. At some point it will be excavated and used.

Graham_Devon

I just don't get why labour have done this.

They don't have a great reputation on the economy anyway. And now, the headlines are reading "Ed Milliband in Economic Vandalism".

It's probably one of the worst things I've seen to come from a party conference.

The overarching idea of reducing energy bills is great, but this is so full of holes it's absurd.

I honestly think on this one they haven't thought about the detail, only thought about how it might raise some votes and cheers and have seemingly shot themselves in the foot. Big speech, little or no detail in the hope of confusing people and gaining support on the back of cost of living pressures.

kabayiri

grizzly1911 wrote: »

An unexpected consequence of Thatcher policy means we have a nice coal reserve tucked away. At some point it will be excavated and used.

In keeping with modern education trends will we see the corresponding emergence of new degree topics?

"Deep Underground Excavation Studies" - how does that sound? . Comes complete with free helmet and soap for life.