http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8323592.stm

He doesn't seem to get that the bonuses encourage extremely risky behaviour, short-term profits 'thinking', sheer annoyance at payouts for people who are now being rewarded after being bailed out by Johnny Taxpayer...

I think Andy needs to STFU. What does he know about real life anyway? Sure he represents UK industry, and when I saw a documentary about the royals a while back he seemed to be doing a fair job of it, but he's not in the same position as most of the "workers".

From my perspective, the bailed out banks are simply not willing to loan to businesses, but happy to give huge bonuses - with my tax money! - to their employees. My cash flow right now is zero. I'm reliant on Best Beloved's pension income, and I'm not the only one in that kind of situation. To me, huge bonuses for just doing a job stink.

If the banks were still lending to businesses then bonuses would not be an issue. The fact that they are not is a problem. The banks need to be broken up so that they can do what they do best. The universal banking model is a failure but I wonder how long it will be before the politicians accept it and break the banks up?

If bank bonuses are minute then the average person's salary must be somewhere on the atomic scale.

They are only minute on the scale of the economy as a whole. In terms of bank profits they are huge. Shareholders are getting stiffed through the payment of the bonuses.

Well the Royals are a waste of money as it is, he really should not draw attention to himself. Twat.

Yes he is a twat and a waste of money, but the Queen, Charles and Anne are excellent value for money. Maybe the civil list should be trimmed further to cut out the minor members.

Excuse me but unlike Charles Prince Andrew actually saw combat and served with distinction in the Falklands war - as a decoy for Exocet missiles no less - amongst other duties.

Edited for obvious mistake!

You mean Andrew. I don't think Edward was in the Falklands, was he?

I will not criticise Andrews Falklands war record. I will definitely give him support over his military record. Edward dropped out of the Marines.

The royals are a difficult question to answer. It seems to the man-on-the-street that they don't do much for the money they get, and frankly there is some truth in that.

However, we gain a massive amount of business due to the fact that we have a hereditary family in charge. The Saudis for example wouldn't do half the business with us that they do, unless it was for the queen and her mob. I know that a great many people will say "so what?", but I for one like that fact that BAE Systems are able to employ so many people in the UK, because of contracts in the middle east.

Here's an interesting factette for you. As you are well aware, our Navy is always out in the gulf doing something or other; training here, invading oil producing countries there etc. Due to our relationship with the Saudis, we are the only country in the world who does not have to pay berthing charges for harbouring in Saudi ports. We save approx £20m a year on that alone, notwithstanding other benefits of their king being mates with our queen.

The world is rarely as black and white as it would seem. We have fingers in every pie, and eyes and ears in every cabinet, thanks to our royal leaders. I'm no royalist, but you can't ignore the benefits of having links round the world due to them.

Oh I am a royalist, but some are better than others. Overall as you say there are huge benefits from the Royal Family. Tourism benefits immensely as a result. And the best benefit of all, no chance of a President Thatcher or Blair ever!

Whoops, that's the last time I edit a post and forget to proof read.