What greater public control could mean for consumers of essential services

What greater public control could mean for consumers of essential services 3.63 MB

Our thoughts on public control are still developing. This working paper provides an initial framework through which to evaluate the benefits of greater public control for consumers versus the current system.

We suggest three practical examples that could enhance public control for consumers:

(1) Enhancing the consumer voice in appeals;

(2) Ensuring regulators are accountable for the outcomes of price controls and

(3) Strengthening Regional Energy Strategic Plans from 2029. 

Whatever form greater public control takes, there must be a strong role for independent statutory advice and advocacy across essential services. The government’s ambition to bring essential services under stronger public control creates an opportunity to give people greater power over the services they depend on. Public control should extend the role of a statutory advocate into a wider range of essential services.