Can the UK cope with this cold winter snap?
Over the last few days it has become apparent that the UK utility sector is firmly at the beck and call of overseas suppliers with particular concern in the area of gas. The Conservative party revealed that UK gas supplies, the backup system in place in the event of a catastrophic incident, have only eight days of gas supply left for the UK. While there is no chance that the UK gas supply will be cut off it does prompt the question as to whether gas prices will start to rise for UK consumers.
Many have been highlighting the fact that the UK utility sector is now effectively controlled by overseas companies and natural utility supplies in the UK are often exported overseas and re-imported back into the UK. This complicated system has put the UK at the beck and call of overseas suppliers and with gas prices in particular having risen significantly over the last few years, UK consumers are certainly feeling the pinch. So what can the government do?
Aside from tightening regulations in the UK to offer more protection to UK households, there is very little that the UK can do because we operate in a free market and by privatising the utility sector this offered the opportunity for businesses to be acquired by overseas parents.
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