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3.6.1 Government intervention

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Question 25

Extract B

VoltGrid UK executive pay sparks controversy amid grid failure concerns

The Chief Executive of VoltGrid UK, a private-sector energy distribution network operator facing persistent criticism for storm recovery delays and network underinvestment, received £1.4 million in total compensation last year. This has intensified public calls for the nationalisation of the energy grid and the imposition of a maximum wage cap for top executives in regulated utilities. In contrast, the average base salary for a field lineman at VoltGrid UK is £34,800, although specialized sub-station engineers can earn up to £49,000.

Over the past year, service reliability has declined as the company attempted to resolve a tense industrial dispute involving potential strike action. Representative trade unions are strongly opposing the company's proposals to outsource high-voltage emergency response operations to third-party contractors and reduce crew sizes for live-line maintenance, which unions argue will seriously compromise employee safety during severe weather conditions.

Question

Assess whether complete nationalisation of the energy distribution network would protect its employees.

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Markscheme

3.6.1 Government intervention Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Economics
  3. /3.6.1 Government intervention

50 exam-style questions on Edexcel A A Level Economics 3.6.1 Government intervention. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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