There are only a few key investors in each sector that count.

FORBES: P2P Or Bust

The public-sector head count has grown by over a tenth in the past decade, and as many as 400, 000 jobs may have to go.

ECONOMIST: Britain's budget

But when Mr Osborne drew up his plans to cut public borrowing, he did think he could count on the private sector - especially private sector demand from the rest of the world - to fill most of the gap.

BBC: Eurozone and the UK: A tale of two crises