In my time as a computer contractor, I worked for several outfits that had been recently sold off into the private sector, namely The National Grid, British Rail Business Systems and British Airways. In fact BRBS was sold to the SEMA group during my contract there.

Commonalities between them were absolutely massive overmanning and poor management to the point of rank incompetence (in my humble opinion)!

Having also worked in France, I was aware that the nationalized industries there have a reputation for efficiency and excellent management. I wonder the problem lies in the management in the nationalized industries in the UK being paid an absolute pittance compared to similar positions the private sector, for the privilege of a job for life and a 'good' pension (nothing like as good as the ordinary basic state pension where I live in Luxembourg, but hey!).

Anyone have an opinion of this?