The British model is the way forward now for Brussels

1st July 2006
By Michael Pollitt

One area where the UK has led the world is in the reform of its energy markets. In 1985 both gas and electricity were supplied by inefficient incumbent state-owned monopolists. Today the UK has the world’s most successful retail competition with competitive gas and electricity supply and efficient privately-run companies.

UK energy markets continue to be the example which many other countries aspire to follow. Successive European Energy Directives, including the key ones in 20…