I am convinced that the modern British economy is a hollow sham and it won't be long before the cracks begin to show ...

That will probably happen later this year when Gordon Brown hands over the reins of the economy to whoever his successor will be (who the hell could it be, btw? I can't think of any member of this lot I'd want to run the economy) - just in time to get out before the water starts to seep into the ship's engine room.

Talking of selling your house to pay for a nursing home, an aged relative has recently been told it will cost a staggering 900 quid a week for a place in a nursing home. His house is worth about £150,000 (if he's lucky, it's in a poor state of repair). That means he will be able to survive for 3 and a bit years before the money runs out and he presumably gets kicked out. Naturally he's not too keen on moving.