Down, not out

As this issue of unquote" goes to press, the UK government has announced a ТЃ37bn rescue package for its biggest banks. RBS stood to receive the most, just as Sir Fred Goodwin stood down. The bailout is the second event in as many weeks that is hoped to kick-start the economy. Whether or not it does is not yet discernable (though stock markets seem happy) - but it serves as a stark reminder of what a mess has been made in the last few years