George Monbiot

privatisation

The Self-Hating State
Devolving policy to “the market” doesn’t solve the problem of power. It makes it worse. Read more – ‘The Self-Hating State’.
The UK’s Odious Debts
Many PFI deals were undemocratic and against the national interest. It’s time we stopped honouring them. Read more – ‘The UK’s Odious Debts’.
The Real Expenses Scandal
It’s a thousand times bigger than the one we’re talking about, so why doesn’t it ignite public anger? Read more – ‘The Real Expenses Scandal’.
The Biggest, Weirdest Rip-Off Yet
The widening of the M25 is a private finance initiative scheme that requires little private finance. Or initiative. Read more – ‘The Biggest, Weirdest Rip-Off Yet’.
The Proceeds of Crime
The US and British governments have created a private prison industry which preys on human lives. Read more – ‘The Proceeds of Crime’.
The Great Consolidation
What more can the government shut down? Oh yes, doctors’ surgeries. Read more – ‘The Great Consolidation’.
The Patient Stalkers
Beware of privatisation schemes dressed up as customer choice. Read more – ‘The Patient Stalkers’.
The Fat Cats Protection League
Wherever you hear the words “free market”, you’ll find massive state handouts to corporations Read more – ‘The Fat Cats Protection League’.
An Easter Egg Hunt
The £95 million that private companies extracted from a hospital project was not a mistake, but a deliberate gift from the government. Read more – ‘An Easter Egg Hunt’.
A Good Model for a Mugging
Labour’s first full-scale privatisation involves the multiple fleecing of the taxpayer Read more – ‘A Good Model for a Mugging’.
Our Very Own Enron?
Is the private finance initiative melting down? Read more – ‘Our Very Own Enron?’.
A Scandal of Secrecy and Collusion
Why have we paid £93m for a £15m bridge? Read more – ‘A Scandal of Secrecy and Collusion’.
Road Hogs
Even the government’s private finance success story turns out to be a roaring failure Read more – ‘Road Hogs’.
Exploitation on Tap
Why is Britain using its aid money to persuade South Africa to privatise its public services? Read more – ‘Exploitation on Tap’.
This Is What We Paid For
Britain’s foreign aid has been used to bankroll a programme for mass starvation Read more – ‘This Is What We Paid For’.
On the Edge of Lunacy
British foreign aid is being directed to countries willing to sell off their assets to big business Read more – ‘On the Edge of Lunacy’.
The Patient is Dying
The Labour Party has 24 hours to save the National Health Service Read more – ‘The Patient is Dying’.
Do As We Say, Not As We Do
The free market is imposed on the poor world, but absent from the rich world Read more – ‘Do As We Say, Not As We Do’.
A Challenge to the Chancellor
Refute these charges, or admit that the private finance initiative is built on fraud and false accounting Read more – ‘A Challenge to the Chancellor’.
Private Affluence, Public Rip-Off
New Labour’s enthusiasm for business is matched only by its lack of business sense, as the private finance fiasco shows. Read more – ‘Private Affluence, Public Rip-Off’.
Very British Corruption
The private finance initiative is rigged from beginning to end; but now we have the chance to stop it Read more – ‘Very British Corruption’.
The Corporate Takeover of Childhood
Schools are being privatised in order to develop a new export industry Read more – ‘The Corporate Takeover of Childhood’.
Could this be Labour’s poll tax?
The attack on New York has suppressed discussion of the Private Finance Initiative; but not for long. Read more – ‘Could this be Labour’s poll tax?’.
Private Finance – Keep Out!
As public services are part-privatised, the business of the state is being shrouded by “commercial confidentiality” Read more – ‘Private Finance – Keep Out!’.
Bleeding Us Dry
Money is being siphoned out of our new hospitals before they receive a single patient Read more – ‘Bleeding Us Dry’.
The NHS is Being Privatised
But so subtly that even ministers don’t seem to know what’s going on Read more – ‘The NHS is Being Privatised’.
Totalitarian Capitalism
Corporations are seizing the genome, but that’s only the beginning Read more – ‘Totalitarian Capitalism’.
Don’t Get Sick!
The Private Finance Initiative is forcing doctors to work dangerously long hours Read more – ‘Don’t Get Sick!’.
The Great Railway Swindle
Private enterprise flourishes at public expense Read more – ‘The Great Railway Swindle’.
Cuckoos in the Nest
The corporate capture of the National Health Service means that it can only shrink, not grow. Read more – ‘Cuckoos in the Nest’.