Final answer:
In the 1980s, the British government privatized several state-owned enterprises, including the post office and telephone company, selling them to private entities to improve efficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the 1980s, the government of Great Britain undertook privatization, which is the process of selling government-owned businesses to private individuals and companies. Notable industries that were privatized include the post office and the telephone company among others. This shift was part of a larger trend in many countries, moving away from state-run industries, which were often criticized for being inefficient, to privately owned enterprises that were expected to be more cost-effective and to provide better management.