[FromLori]

I know they probably could have cut more of their welfare I understand they really have a lot of handouts but I suppose they didn’t want riots like France.

[Vanders9]

Not really, there's little sign of rioting atm. The French are always rioting. They are a revolting lot (literally - I mean they are on their, what, fifth republic now?)

No, the real issue, and the only real worry for me re this announcement, is that there are going to be a lot of job losses in the short term. There is a question mark over whether the private sector in the UK still has the strength to absorb those people. There aren't too many things we export these days.