In 17% of the 367 cases tested, unavailability "appeared to have been systematically applied to prevent patients being reported as not meeting their treatment guarantee date".

BBC: Waiting times reports in your area

Earlier this month, for example, Sony said that demand for its new Daily Edition Reader is so strong that while it hopes to fill orders by Christmas, it can't guarantee a delivery date.

WSJ: Barnes & Noble Pushes Back Store Debut of Nook

People's savings will still have a 100% government guarantee after the split date, but this will be reviewed by the Treasury after the restructuring.

BBC: Northern Rock split date is set

Stock prices readjust on the ex-dividend date to reflect the pending payment, and there is no guarantee the shares won't slip below the trader's breakeven point, resulting in losses.

WSJ: Running With Scissors: Another Way Dividends Can Boost Your Stock Portfolio

To date there has been no need to call on taxpayers to fund the guarantee.

FORBES: Improving Insurance Decision Making

You want a guarantee of safety - not something along the lines of "if we peak at date X and reduce emissions at rate Y that gives you Z% chance of not being flooded out of existence".

BBC: Durban: Climate summit looks back and forward