[cillian64]

In the UK, which was until very recently in the EU, most modern (last 20-30 years) houses have what’s called Protective Multiple Earthing where the house earth is just connected to the incoming neutral and there’s no earth spike at the house. Then the power company earth-bonds at the substation and several points between the substation and houses.

[michaelt]

Don't most UK houses also have earth bonded to all the water and gas pipes in the house?

There may be no earth spike, but if earth connects to a copper pipe going into the ground, you'd expect them to be at the same potential.

[jon_adler]

I believe metal pipe bonding is a building control requirement however many new builds use predominantly plastic pipe work. The requirement is to protect the occupant against touching live metal pipe work, not to earth the house.

[yrro]

Gas pipes can't be plastic!