The UK Government has apparently given up trying to stop bailed-out royal Bank of Scotland paying out bonuses to the dealers who brought it to its knees, even though the bank is now 70 per cent owned by the British taxpayer. Some employees are set to get five-figure sums.
There is even speculation that bonuses will go ahead next year as well.
Around three quarters of staff at Barclays’ investment banking division, Barclays Capital, which has made use of the Treasury’s loan guarantees, will also get a bonus this year.
The Government seems well able to impose its will on Mr Average, whether he likes it or not, and he generally doesn’t, so where’s that same determination in this case?