The document discusses the privatization of several British industries including British Airways, the water industry, British Petroleum, and electricity supply. It provides details on the reasons for privatization, the effects before and after privatization, and historical background. The key points are:
1) Industries like British Airways, water, and electricity were nationalized but privatized in the 1980s-1990s due to reasons like improving efficiency, raising money, and increasing productivity which had declined in nationalized industries.
2) Privatization led to initial rises in prices, profits, and executive pay but longer term impacts included increased investment, employment cuts, and varied effects on services and environmental standards depending on the industry.