BRFR Cake Stop 'breaking news' miscellany

[Pinno718]

You've only got to look at the US model to see where that ends up: the worst average outcomes for the highest average cost.

This ^.

 

[Pblakeney]

I know we've been over this before, but these companies are very canny at identifying sectors that have a captive customer base then aggressively turning them into quasi monopolies through acquisition of all meaningful competition (see the veterinary industry, for instance). Once they've done that (or been handed that, as in the case of water companies), then, in Trump's words, they hold all the cards.

The only question is what industry will they target next. We know they are gunning for the NHS, as it's the same principle: something absolutely essential and unavoidable. You've only got to look at the US model to see where that ends up: the worst average outcomes for the highest average cost.

That's capitalism that is.

 

[Pinno718]

Presumably, I'm supposed to be outraged at a company making a profit of 22.6%?

Just a note; the Watchdog would not be concerned if they thought that the profits were reasonable so that removes the element of subjectivity somewhat.

 

[briantrumpet]

That's capitalism that is.

It's one aspect of its current state, sure. My suspicion is that the tools for extracting the maximum possible profit aggressively on a global scale have developed somewhat and become much more commonly used over the last few decades, but as I know nothing about global capitalism, that might be a terrible terrible libel about lovely cuddly capitalism, that's there only for the good of mankind.

 

[PurplePenguin]

I'm trying and failing to find figures for private school fees over the same time, but I suspect that they haven't doubled.

I'm going to cherry pick here, because I assume that's how headlines work.

March 2020 - min wage for a 21 year old was £7.70. April 2025 it was £12.21. That's only a 59% increase, but a lot of companies now need to pay more than the min wage. Also, employers' NI is higher by around £500 per person.

March 2020 - interest rate 0.1%. April 2025 - 4.5%.

 

[briantrumpet]

I'm going to cherry pick here, because I assume that's how headlines work.

March 2020 - min wage for a 21 year old was £7.70. April 2025 it was £12.21. That's only a 59% increase, but a lot of companies now need to pay more than the min wage. Also, employers' NI is higher by around £500 per person.

March 2020 - interest rate 0.1%. April 2025 - 4.5%.

Impressive cherry picking. I was hoping you'd be able to find the figures I couldn't find, as that'd be a valid comparison, sans cerises.

I'd suggest that a profit margin of 22% suggests a very uncompetitive market, and unlike with any surplus that private schools make, is not going to be reinvested in the schools: it's going to be paid in dividends and keeping the share price high for investors.

 

[PurplePenguin]

Impressive cherry picking. I was hoping you'd be able to find the figures I couldn't find, as that'd be a valid comparison, sans cerises.

I'd suggest that a profit margin of 22% suggests a very uncompetitive market, and unlike with any surplus that private schools make, is not going to be reinvested in the schools: it's going to be paid in dividends and keeping the share price high for investors.

You know some private schools are owned by private companies that make a profit? They're not all "charities".

In general though, for something like this which sounds reasonably risky, 22% seems fine to me. There is a reason some councils run nurseries and foster care, but shy away from this kind of thing.

 

[BoldonLad]

I know we've been over this before, but these companies are very canny at identifying sectors that have a captive customer base then aggressively turning them into quasi monopolies through acquisition of all meaningful competition (see the veterinary industry, for instance). Once they've done that (or been handed that, as in the case of water companies), then, in Trump's words, they hold all the cards.

The only question is what industry will they target next. We know they are gunning for the NHS, as it's the same principle: something absolutely essential and unavoidable. You've only got to look at the US model to see where that ends up: the worst average outcomes for the highest average cost.

That would be useful to know, at least, which PE Company is actually in the lead in terms of "influence" over our Politicians, you could buy shares in said company then 😂

 

[BoldonLad]

It's one aspect of its current state, sure. My suspicion is that the tools for extracting the maximum possible profit aggressively on a global scale have developed somewhat and become much more commonly used over the last few decades, but as I know nothing about global capitalism, that might be a terrible terrible libel about lovely cuddly capitalism, that's there only for the good of mankind.

In the whole of human history, has there ever been a working "system" which did not have the Emploiters and Exploited, and/or the Elite and the Plebs?

Personally, I cannot think of one, and, since there is none in existence today (AFAIK) then, even if one existed at some time, it hasn't survived.

 

[PurplePenguin]

Also, I asked Copilot about private school fee increases. You can pick a school and it will tell you. I tried a few London ones which are up around 50% over five years, but Exeter's finest is only up 23% which is pretty remarkable given the impact of VAT.

 

[briantrumpet]

Also, I asked Copilot about private school fee increases. You can pick a school and it will tell you. I tried a few London ones which are up around 50% over five years, but Exeter's finest is only up 23% which is pretty remarkable given the impact of VAT.

Thanks.

Obviously they've put the savings of not employing me any more into keeping the fees low.

 

[Pblakeney]

It's one aspect of its current state, sure. My suspicion is that the tools for extracting the maximum possible profit aggressively on a global scale have developed somewhat and become much more commonly used over the last few decades, but as I know nothing about global capitalism, that might be a terrible terrible libel about lovely cuddly capitalism, that's there only for the good of mankind.

While I'd agree that capitalism has been good for a long time now we seem to have entered a new age of global capitalism where it is a race to the bottom for services provided while maximising profit. Things are declining for the average person/customer/end user.

 

[PurplePenguin]

Why have Exeter's School fees increased by so little? Do you think it is because the trumpet playing music teacher has left?

Copilot

Tempting theory—but Exeter School’s relatively modest fee increase isn’t likely due to the departure of any one music teacher, trumpet-playing or otherwise. The real reason is more strategic and financial.

🧾 Why Exeter’s Fee Increase Was Modest​

10% Discount to Offset VAT Exeter School applied a 10% discount to spring and summer term fees in 2025 to soften the blow of the new 20% VAT on private education

• This made the headline increase appear smaller than it actually is.
• Early Fee Announcement The school announced its 2025–26 fees earlier than usual to help families plan ahead, signalling a conscious effort to manage affordability
• • Regional Positioning Compared to London schools, Exeter operates in a region with lower average incomes and cost of living, so aggressive fee hikes could risk losing pupils.
  • Board Sensitivity to Parental Pressure The school’s board explicitly acknowledged the financial pressures families face and chose a more conservative increase to maintain accessibility

  • 
    About That Music Teacher…​

    While the departure of a beloved trumpet-playing teacher might leave a cultural dent, it’s unlikely to shift the school’s financial strategy. Staff changes happen regularly, and budgets for salaries are part of broader operational planning—not directly tied to tuition fee decisions.
    
    If you’re curious whether the music program has changed or if there’s been a shift in extracurricular offerings, I can dig into that too.

 

[PurplePenguin]

Oh dear, I followed this up and asked if Copilot knew who the highly acclaimed trumpet player was. It confidently asserted it was Sam Massey. I then said I thought his name might be Brian. At this point, it suggested Brian Kirkby.

So sadly, I've come to the conclusion that either copilot doesn't know what it is talking about or that our briantrumpet is not even the best trumpet playing Brian in Exeter that used to teach.

 

[PurplePenguin]