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UK Regulatory Culture

The UK has a strange culture of "independent" regulatory bodies that are financed by large corporations.

The most infamous of these was the Financial Services Authority which oversaw the recent financial collapse.

Ofcom regulates broadband etc.  It has allowed a contractual structure for acquiring broadband where there is a 14 day "cooling off period" in which you can cancel a 12 or 18 month contract.  The supplier always waits for at least 14 days before delivering the equipment to ensure that the contract is not cancelled because of poor service, installation or faulty equipment.  Ofcom believes this is fair.   If the equipment or service is inadequate the customer must use it for 8 weeks before a complaint can be considered.  Ofcom allows suppliers to claim that non-use is a violation of contract which means that if the customer complains after 8 weeks the fact that they have used the equipment successfully for 8 weeks is proof that there are no grounds for complaint.  If the customer cancels a contract unilaterally they must pay a large, monthly, contract breakage charge as a lump sum.

Many of the regulators have an 8 week delay before disputes over installation, performance, damage, poor installation service etc. can become true disputes.  This is a masterstroke by the utilities that ensures they have a captive customer once the ink is dry on the contract.

Ofwat has presided over a water industry that has, since de-nationalisation, mounted a non-stop campaign to portray water as a rare commodity that is value at any price.  Ofwat allows water in the South West of England, one of the wettest parts of the country, to be priced at several times that in the South East.  They have linked water and sewage charges so that the keen gardener gets the same sewage charges as ten people.  They have failed to warn that development in places with very little water is a bad idea.

Ofgem has managed to preside over the sale of the British Gas and Electricity industry to foreign companies.  They have failed to ensure that there is energy security for the nation.  They have failed to inform the nation that nuclear electricity can be cheap, as in France, and renewables can be extremely expensive as in Denmark and Germany.

See Comparison of EU Electricity Prices
The Environment Agency has introduced a pricing structure and regime for the use of Inland Waterways that prevents the casual use of light pleasure craft on canals and rivers.  It has presided over flooding in areas where warnings of floods have been given for years and no action was taken.

    Ofcom - Independent regulator and competition authority for the UK  communications industries
    PhonepayPlus - regulator for phone-paid services in the UK, part of Ofcom, replaces ICSTIS
    Ofgem - the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets
    Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)
    Ofwat - the Water Services Regulation Authority
    The Utility Regulator - regulating electricity, gas, water and sewerage industries in Northern Ireland
    Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland


    Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
    Office of Rail Regulation (ORR)
    Environment Agency (EA)

    Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies
    The Pensions Regulator


   Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
    British Board of Film Censors (BBFC)
    Consumer Focus - the statutory consumer champion for England, Wales, Scotland and (for postal consumers) Northern Ireland
    Engineering Council - the regulatory body for the Engineering profession
    Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
    Food Standards Agency
    Forensic Science Regulator
    Gaming Board for Great Britain (GBGB)
    Information Commissioner's Office
    Planning Inspectorate
    Police Complaints Authority
    Press Complaints Commission (PCC)
    Scottish Housing Regulator (SHC)
    Council for Registered Gas Installers
    Direct Marketing Authority

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