Bridge. Ok, done the sums.

The NHS budget through PCTs is just over £100Billion. Take out the 65% that is salaries (staying level or even decreasing slightly, depending on how you measure it.)

You are left with £35Billion.

Every last penny of that is budgeted for, using a system called local delivery plan( LDP.) The plan for 2011/12 was agreed last January ish. Inflation hits that spending, full stop. Either less is spent (politically not good as Parliament voted through the DH budget) or government has to borrow to fund it.

Now, that's the NHS. Repeat system for Local government, armed forces, etc etc etc...

Governments do buy on the High St. Keep repeating it until you are brainwashed into believing something correct for a change.

No wonder my mate keeps taking the piss out of you. I am slightly exasperated myself!