I don't think we should pay a standing charge for any meters - it should just be a charge for how much water, gas or electric that we actually use.

How would the utility companies pay their boards their massive wages and bonuses if they cut out standing charges?

For example the head honcho at United Utilities which has the monopoly on a lot of the private water supply in England was paid £650,000 last year and soon they will decide his bonus for the year which could be as high as £1.3 Million. This info is out there on the web I looked at it yesterday.

I have no doubt whatsoever that other water companies, electric power and gas suppliers also enjoy such largesse at the top by imposing unnecessary and unfair charges on customers.

And to boot these people never ever take responsibility when things go Pete Tong....

Look at this fiasco surrounding the health trusts notably Stafford. Some of these NHS execs are the highest paid public sector workers anywhere in the system, they tell us they need to pay high to attract the best talent.....

Best talent... don't make me laugh..

It seems the systems (watchdogs) various Governments have set up to counter abuse by these firms is not fit for purpose. But hey the heads of those organisations will also be on eye watering sums.

Truth is we are saddled with the government we deserve. Until things reach a point where ordinary people say enough is enough and protest Greek or Egyptian style with direct action nothing will change.

Maggies poll tax upset a lot of people who wrecked the centre of London, some Months later the issue was dropped.

I remember the problems the poll tax caused.

I think that we're all going to be forced to have water meters eventually so my happy go lucky water days are numbered. I must admit that I don't think twice about running a bowl of hot water to do a bit of washing up - I don't like leaving it to mount up (which is what we're all advised to do)

My sister in Wales has a regular water bill of just over £50 per month and there's only three of them living in the house. It's horrendous

Thats the 'free market' and capitalism for you. Im not by any means against companies making profits, quite the opposite in fact, but how they make those profits is something that should concern us all.

Imposing a compulsory 'standing charge' is just plain wrong as it immediately removes the customers option to control their own outgoings by reducing their useage. Pensioners, the disabled, the unemployed and folk on low wages have to pay regardless of whether they have actually consumed any utilities. How can that be right ?

Germany is often quoted as being the model of efficiency and productivity, and this article from yesterdays Guardian is an interesting read. It would suggest that profits, social conscience and morality can work hand in hand for the better good.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... dium-firms

Or maybe Im just living in La-La Land ??

My sister is living on a pension and so am I. The utility bills are ones we cannot really cut down as we all need water, electricity and heating, especially as we're home all day long.

And thats the real scandal Sunshine. Folk who are at home all day for one reason or another are being absolutely hammered from all sides. Utility charges rising way above the inflation rate, and 'benefits' being slashed to the bone. Just wait until April when the next batch of cuts come into force. The general public don't seem to have any understanding of how bad things will get in the very near future.

This government is mounting a concerted attack on people who can least afford it. Im not just criticising this government though, the one before it has a lot to answer for.

Apologies for my doom and gloom. I'll go back to the weather forum soon.

at least you get the rain and its free

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Its not always the biggest and the bestest, its them that make the least mistakes.

No its not, the water companies recycle it and sell it back to us and generate a huge profit for themselves !!

well they get free delivery

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Its not always the biggest and the bestest, its them that make the least mistakes.

I wonder if we will get a hosepipe ban in the summer?