I dislike the wording they have used, as it is very emotive and feels sort of "well, you wanted an answer in pounds, shillings and pence, and we've given you an answer in terms of hands-waving unmeasurable benefits".
I *do* think that most public services work best in public ownership and control, particularly ones where you can't sensibly have competitive pressure at the point of delivery ... e.g. in the old days there were two cable companies that "prevented a monopoly", but in reality, at most one of them had a cable in your street, so your only choice was "pay what they wanted for the service they wanted to give" or do without.
And in many places, there isn't room for two competing providers (small post offices in villages, single bank branches in small towns etc.), not enough business to keep two going, so the one that is there either has a monopoly, or is closed down to the detriment of the community.
There is no competitive Accident & Emergency department, small letter delivery service etc. and that's all to the good.
The union should just actually compare the costs and services provided under PFI and/or privatisation against similar costs and services provided by public owned bodies, that would show that it is cheaper *and* better to leave it in public hands!
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I *do* think that most public services work best in public ownership and control, particularly ones where you can't sensibly have competitive pressure at the point of delivery ... e.g. in the old days there were two cable companies that "prevented a monopoly", but in reality, at most one of them had a cable in your street, so your only choice was "pay what they wanted for the service they wanted to give" or do without.
And in many places, there isn't room for two competing providers (small post offices in villages, single bank branches in small towns etc.), not enough business to keep two going, so the one that is there either has a monopoly, or is closed down to the detriment of the community.
There is no competitive Accident & Emergency department, small letter delivery service etc. and that's all to the good.
The union should just actually compare the costs and services provided under PFI and/or privatisation against similar costs and services provided by public owned bodies, that would show that it is cheaper *and* better to leave it in public hands!