Media reports have suggested that ministers could extend a short-term 150m euros loan to Alitalia while they examine the case for further funding to tide the airline over for a year.

BBC: Workers at Alitalia demonstrate

At the time of our chat earlier this year, Tice was still looking for work and had been in the job market for over a year, using freelance consulting work to tide him over.

FORBES: Job Hunting in CSR, Part 3: When All Is Said And Done, Where Are The Jobs?

Even then it is also highly likely it becomes a slimmed down beast - with the Treasury simply handing departments one year spending chits to tide them over to the other side of an election.

BBC: A tough end to a tough week for Nick Clegg