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UK Utility Reforms: Distributional Implications and Government Response

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  • Catherine Waddams Price
  • Alison Young

Abstract

The UK was one of the earliest countries to undertake utility reform, which included changes in ownership, in the regulatory regime and in market structure and competition. While most agree that the programme has had beneficial effects on efficiency, there has been increasing concern about the distribution of these benefits between and within stake holder groups, resulting in a second phase of reform under the Labour Government elected in 1997. This paper reports on the effects of the initial programme of reforms, and on the response of the British public, the government and the regulators.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine Waddams Price & Alison Young, 2001. "UK Utility Reforms: Distributional Implications and Government Response," WIDER Working Paper Series DP2001-10, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:dp2001-10
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/dp2001-10.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Giulietti, Monica & Otero, Jesus, 2002. "The timing of tariff structure changes in regulated industries: evidence from England and Wales," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 71-99, March.
    2. Ruth Hancock & Catherine Waddams Price, 1995. "Competition in the British domestic gas market: efficiency and equity," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 16(3), pages 81-105, August.
    3. Monica Giulietti & Catherine Waddams Price, 2005. "Incentive Regulation and Efficient Pricing," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 76(1), pages 121-149, March.
    4. repec:ccp:journl:v:53:y:2001:i:2-3:p:209-223 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Catherine Waddams & Ruth Hancock, 1998. "Distributional effects of liberalising UK residential utility markets," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 19(3), pages 295-319, August.
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