A radical agenda for the UK A work in progress to explore and develop socio-political options for the United Kingdom. Vision_2da868ca-5ae1-4e69-84d0-b29b4920f01e Mission_2da868ca-5ae1-4e69-84d0-b29b4920f01e Simplicity Simplicity makes things easier to understand, thereby increasing transparency, and reducing cost Fairness for all Reform the Benefits System Reform the Benefits System Goal_71095f06-a87e-4640-90d3-274ae4424e23 1 Ensure that only those that truly need state support receive all the support that they need. Scrap the state pension Scrap the state pension Objective_4a2f403c-a131-48b7-8827-996dccd46027 1 People don’t need to stop work just because they’ve attained some arbitrary age. People don’t need a state pension if they already have enough money. The money saved could be redirected to those who need it because they are unable to work, and don’t have other sources of income or wealth, regardless of wealth. Reform the tax system Reform the tax system Goal_7dbf252c-a883-4587-b464-ec35248cebe9 2 Scrap unearned income Scrap unearned income Objective_e562a125-0dad-4f18-bd1d-9fbb826c7d23 1 Scrap corporation tax Scrap corporation tax Objective_4a23fdd8-b75d-46b7-928e-1c8995d208ae 2 Scrap National Insurance Scrap National Insurance Objective_fad28763-0e5f-4262-8a4f-06d50b9f4ee1 3 State pensions liabilities are not included in the official national debt Brexit could leave the UK isolated and a rule taker The law states that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union on Friday March 29 at 11pm. This is set out in primary legislation, the EU Withdrawal Act, with the qualification that it can only be changed if a Minister of the Crown proposes a regulation to do so. (Source: Sorry Brexiteers, but Parliament doesn’t want No Deal, and MPs will kill it off published 03/12/2018) As a small country and without the collective bargaining power of Europe, the UK could find itself forced to accept whatever rules Europe, the US or other global powerhouses force on it in return for trade and other concessions. The press lacks accountability and credibility See this video from John Cleese: https://twitter.com/JohnCleese/status/1019870590579208192  The structure of the energy market means energy is more expensive in the UK than in comparable markets Yes, energy costs in the UK are higher than in many comparable countries, both for households and industries. Several factors contribute to this disparity: ### &##128200; How UK Energy Prices Compare - Domestic Electricity: As of 2024, UK households pay an average of 36.39p per kWh for electricity—the highest among International Energy Agency (IEA) countries. This rate is 2.8 times higher than in the US and 3.5 times higher than in South Korea. - Industrial Electricity: UK industrial electricity prices are among the highest in Europe, significantly impacting energy-intensive sectors like steel manufacturing. ### ⚠️ Why UK Energy Is So Expensive - Gas-Driven Pricing: Despite nearly half of the UK's electricity coming from renewables, the market operates on a "marginal pricing" model. This means the most expensive energy source—typically gas—sets the market price, keeping overall costs high. - High Import Dependency: The UK imports a significant portion of its natural gas and has limited long-term storage capacity. This reliance makes it vulnerable to global price fluctuations, such as those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. - Environmental Levies and Network Costs: Green taxes and the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading the energy grid add to consumer bills. - Inefficient Market Design: The UK's national pricing system doesn't account for regional variations in energy production. For instance, areas near wind farms don't benefit from lower prices, unlike models in countries like Norway or the US, where localised pricing can lead to cheaper energy in regions with abundant renewable resources. - Policy and Industrial Decline: The shift away from coal and domestic fossil fuels, without adequate alternatives, has led to higher energy costs and the decline of energy-intensive industries. This has resulted in job losses and increased reliance on imports. ### &##128269; Conclusion The UK's high energy prices stem from a combination of market structures, policy decisions, and external factor. Addressing these issues may require reforms in pricing models, investment in energy storage, and a balanced approach to energy policy that considers both environmental goals and economic impact. In the UK, generating electricity from gas is currently more expensive than from renewable sources.​ ### Cost Comparison: Gas vs. Renewables - Gas: Electricity generated from existing UK gas power plants is approximately three times more expensive than from new onshore wind and nearly twice as costly as from new solar installations. ​Ember Energy - Renewables: The levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) for new onshore wind and solar has decreased significantly, making them more cost-effective than gas-fired generation. ​Wikipedia+2Ember Energy+2Wikipedia+2 ### Why Are Bills Still High? Despite the lower generation costs of renewables, UK electricity prices remain high due to the market's marginal pricing system. This system sets the wholesale electricity price based on the most expensive source needed to meet demand—often gas. ​Financial Times+2sustainabilitybynumbers.com+2Latest news & breaking headlines+2 Additionally, the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources necessitates backup from gas-fired power plants, which contributes to overall costs. ​Latest news & breaking headlines In summary, while renewables offer cheaper generation costs, the UK's current market structure and reliance on gas for backup power keep electricity prices elevated.​The Independent Relative costs of energy production in the UK In the UK, the cost of generating electricity varies significantly across different energy sources, with renewables generally being the most cost-effective, followed by gas, and coal being the most expensive.​ ### ⚡ Electricity Generation Costs by Source (2023 Estimates) - Onshore Wind: Approximately £36–£45 per MWh​ - Solar PV: Approximately £30–£40 per MWh​ - Offshore Wind: Approximately £40–£60 per MWh​ - Natural Gas (CCGT): Approximately £80–£100 per MWh​ - Coal: Approximately £100–£120 per MWh​ These figures are based on levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) estimates, which consider the total cost of building and operating a power plant over its lifetime divided by the total electricity output.​ ### &##128201; Decline of Coal in the UK Coal has become the least economical option for electricity generation in the UK. Its high costs, coupled with environmental regulations and carbon pricing, have led to a significant reduction in its use. As of 2023, coal accounted for only 1% of the UK's electricity generation, and the last coal-fired power station closed on 30 September 2024. House of Lords Library​ ### &##128269; Summary Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are currently the most cost-effective means of electricity generation in the UK. Natural gas remains more expensive due to fuel costs and carbon pricing, while coal is the most expensive and has been largely phased out of the UK's energy mix. StrategyPlan_2da868ca-5ae1-4e69-84d0-b29b4920f01e 2025-10-15 https://www.stratnavapp.com/StratML/Part3/2da868ca-5ae1-4e69-84d0-b29b4920f01e/Styled Submitter_2da868ca-5ae1-4e69-84d0-b29b4920f01e