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public utilities

4 articles on this subject, from across the site.

Pensioners

Pensioner care world-wide

How pensioner care differs around the world

Countries fund and organise long-term care differently: some rely on public services, others on family support or insurance. The approach affects who pays, what services exist, and whether older people can afford care.

28 Sep 2026
National Debt

Privatisation and national debt

In the UK: the 1979-1990 period

The government sold state-owned businesses to raise revenue and reduce state involvement in industry. Whilst privatisation brought substantial one-off money, the relationship between these sales and national debt reduction was more complex than a simple transaction.

27 Sep 2026
Water and privatisation

Did Macquarie drain Thames Water?

Did Macquarie's ownership of Thames Water prioritise shareholder returns over long-term sustainability?

Macquarie owned Thames Water from 2006 to 2017, investing £11 billion in infrastructure while increasing debt to £11 billion and paying £879 million in dividends, sparking debate over priorities.

4 May 2025
Water and privatisation

How did UK utilities reach crisis point?

Treasury micromanagement is partly responsible for poor privatised utilities, but systemic failures run deeper

Treasury short-termism, weak regulation, privatisation without oversight, and foreign ownership prioritising dividends have combined to underinvest in water and rail infrastructure.

2 May 2025

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