As private businesses grow, they come into contact with state-sector suppliers, distributors and customers, and often find that their theoretical property rights count for little when it comes to collecting debts or having contracts honoured.

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TSC, which operates seven sites in Scotland and one at Dearne Valley in South Yorkshire, provides contact centre staff across the business sector.

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While some have argued that Germany would be better off leaving the monetary union, its financial sector remains in close contact to the broader European economy, making it difficult for Merkel and the rest to give up.

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For instance, a slowdown in the auto sector presumably means less silver demand for electrical contact points.

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Is the private sector willing to provide such expertise, to perform 'contact-tracing', the unique NHS service which helps us track the spread of pathogens and identify outbreaks?

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