Van for sale

LDV wanted £5 million to survive.

The Government, who hand that sort of amount over to banks in loose change to top up the staff tea and coffee fund, said no and 5,000 or so Midland jobs are at risk.

Mind you LDV probably didn't arrange to take as many Treasury and FSA senior officials to polo matches, days at Wimbledon's centre court, Lords' Test matches, cup finals, operas, first nights and 02 Arena concerts as the bankers seem to have managed.

And sadly those in charge of Birmingham's van maker probably did not make as many nod and wink offers of directorships, consultancies, advisory roles and the like in the direction of the Whitehall and Westminster decision makers to provide a nice little retirement number in Small Heath, an area where sadly the old boy network is probably not as strong either.

Still at least LDV and the banks have one thing in common, Lloyds seem to be axing a similar number of jobs. Personally, as Lloyds TSB HBOS and now of course Taxpayers Inc, seem to be making a profit at the moment and the bank is one of the parties responsible for this current financial mess I do not think it would be unreasonable to expect them to cover the total bill for benefits, grants and the like for at least the first 12 months for all the 4,500 or so people they seem to be sacking.

I really do not see why the taxpayer, who is bailing them out already, should also be lumbered with a bill for 4,500 of their staff heading for the dole just to make their balance sheet look prettier for the shareholders.