This is the answer. When all sockets are connected to one big loop, there's fuses in each socket to prevent a device from screwing with the whole system.

This isn't strictly true. Most houses built between WWII and the '90s were built with sockets that didn't have switches on them. It was only later safety regulations / suggestions that made the switches preferable.

Where I live was built in the late '80s right before switched sockets became more common. All the original sockets have no switch. Some in the kitchen have switches, but it's clear these were added at a later date.

I'm not sure of the exact rulings and where and when a socket must have a switch, but you can still find switchless sockets for sale at the sorts of retailers who sell those sorts of things, so there are definitely places where those sockets are still allowed.

The old Ring Circuit

eastern block solution to copper shortages was to wire houses with aluminum instead of copper. this avoided all that bizarre bullshit that brits do, and in principle it's a good idea since aluminum is used for big time power distribution as well. this worked pretty well until it was noticed that under some conditions hot spots can form on connections over time, requiring replacement of connectors. it's still legal to use aluminum wires in some places, but copper is more common now

So that switch will trip like a breaker?

Why are people saying this?

I've lived in multiple UK houses and never once seen a socket with a fuse. Are you saying this was change way way back in the day?

All houses have fuse boxes (which then got upgraded to circuit breakers). Not one fuses in sockets. Would be a fucking nightmare to take the socket off and change a fuse.

When I bought the apartment I'm living in, the previous owner had refused all modernisation, even legal ones (he had mental problems), so the appartment had the original 1 hot wire going everywhere, you just "tapped" off power where you wanted to to ground. 1959 era.

Sorry but I'm going to need a source on that because there is no evidence of that being the reason UK plug sockets have switches

Other countries have switches on their sockets, Australia being one because I live here

Switches on sockets do make a ton on sense though for safety reasons for example if you need to quickly isolate electricity from the switch and the breaker hasn't done anything

Switches also prevent arcing when you pull out a plug if an appliance doesn't have an off switch and you can switch something off that you use commonly say a kettle but don't unplug because you use it commonly so theirs less chance of an electrical fault happening while no one is there and its also the same reason I'll demand an isolation switch be installed on electric stoves just incase the dail on the stove fails and the stove turns on