The size of the British economy has slipped below that of France for the first time since 1999 thanks to the slide in the value of the pound.Sterling's rapid fall to 11-year lows against European currencies has also pushed Britain into sixth place in the world.The US, Japan, Germany, China and France all had larger economies than the UK in the third quarter of 2007 - and in 2006. The figures represented a "political economic cataclysm" for Britain, said Martin Weale, the director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, who noted that the UK government often boasted of Britain's being the fourth largest economy, and then the fifth largest when China overtook the UK in 2005.The UK's demotion to sixth place will put pressure on the government's reputation for economic competence, particularly as it is Britain's ancient rival, France, that is moving ahead.
The size of the British economy has slipped below that of France for the first time since 1999 thanks to the slide in the value of the pound.
Sterling's rapid fall to 11-year lows against European currencies has also pushed Britain into sixth place in the world.
The US, Japan, Germany, China and France all had larger economies than the UK in the third quarter of 2007 - and in 2006.
The figures represented a "political economic cataclysm" for Britain, said Martin Weale, the director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, who noted that the UK government often boasted of Britain's being the fourth largest economy, and then the fifth largest when China overtook the UK in 2005.
The UK's demotion to sixth place will put pressure on the government's reputation for economic competence, particularly as it is Britain's ancient rival, France, that is moving ahead.
Anybody care to explain this title to me at 5 AM PST on a Sunday morning? Coffee hasn't kicked in yet.
Hey, how about those Packers? Think they have a chance against New England? Oh yeah, this is Europe. Yawn. In the end, might makes right. Nothing has changed since the caveman.
Far as I know the Patriots are all-conquering this year. The Packers have got two chances and slim just left town. keep to the Fen Causeway
