'Privatisation premium': billions from UK energy bills paid to shareholders
4 hours ago
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- #public-ownership
- #energy-privatisation
- A quarter of the average UK energy bill (24.2%) funded corporate profits in 2024.
- Shareholders of privatised energy companies received £70.7bn in dividends between 2010-2025.
- Energy networks had a 55% profit margin (2020-24), compared to FTSE 350's 14%.
- Public ownership saw twice the investment in energy relative to GDP compared to privatisation.
- Nine largest electricity generators and networks made £17.8bn in operating profits in 2023.
- £8.02bn was spent on dividends, buybacks, and interest payments in 2023 (9% of average bill).
- 71% of UK voters support public ownership of energy companies.
- Labour has established GB Energy and renationalised the grid.
- UK household energy bills are 63% higher than pre-crisis levels.
- Calls for public ownership aim to reduce costs and boost clean energy investment.