I suspect that Peter is in the Stockbroker Belt or close to it and that explains the major difference.

I could never see how the economy could continue working as it was, based on quicksand. Whilst the motor industry has provided thousands of jobs it is a kind of incestuous cycle that maintains it.

To rescue us by providing more of what was the root-cause in the first place, that is, more credit, surely ain't gonna work!

Too little, too late. Someone described the recent survival measures as "rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic". Trouble is, a lot of the deckchairs were on loan from landlubbers like us.

Like a lot of people, I have been fortunate enough to have saved some money and have a small pension fund. I have seen my investments decline in value whilst HMG promise the banks and all vast backing (using our tax money of course).

Yes, they may have to pay the money back but in the meantime some of us are losing out again. No dividends until HMG is paid back!

Meanwhile, I hear that some bankers (and did you know that the collective noun for a group of bankers is a "wunch"?) are still rewarding themselves for their profligacy and failure with bonuses!

Yours and my bonuses are to still be in business at the end of the year despite the greed and incompetence of these 'Erberts!

The only advantage to me (and you guys) is that with the slowdown in new car sales we may hope for continuing business maintaining older cars for longer - and, as a spin-off, a slowdown in the introduction of the technology changes we are all wary of.

Soap box away and with apologies for the rant, I just have to get used to the idea that I will have to work til I am a hundred and twenty-twelve,

Steve