NATS was sold by the government and the price was borrowed by NATS to pay the government and is now the millstone around its neck, a debt of approx £70billion.
Previously NATS was a profitable company, the en-route fees more than covered its costs and allowed for future investment. Now the repayments on our huge debt mean that we don't have the money for investment we previously had. Selling us off was allegedly to allow us easier access to the money markets and the ability to invest properly in our business. No-one wants to loan money to a company who's debts are hugely leveraged!! Sigh!!
My viewpoint, please correct me if I'm wrong.