We've got RBS on the run

I supported the Giveupthebonus campaign, but I can't see it has succeeded, despite JP's claims. In addition to the £175M, another £165M has just been reported, together with plans for up to £600M in deferred payments. The 93% saving looks more like a 25% saving if these plans are implemented by RBS.

Alec, I see what you mean but the £165m is a 10% pay rise for the 80,000ish people below managerial line, on an average of £19k. These people previously relied on a 10% annual bonus and we see this pay rise as a victory for lower paid workers, who should be paid fair wage - not dependent on a bonus system.

Alex Hilton

Mr Prescott. Since you failed to answer my question on a previous thread I will ask it again.
What are your views on the transparency of MPs expenses and perks? Do you think it right that MPs should be skimming huge sums of taxpayers money when the poorest in the land are paying tax on their hard earned meager pensions. I really don't think you have got your head round this blog business it should be a place where you can engage with people and answer their questions, if not then why bother?

How's about a campaign to regularise and closely scrutinise the MP's exes system.

Your trough-snouting puts the bankers to shame.

Kindly give my regards to your Mock Tudor Beams.

keep up with the good work John.

Isnt it funny how labour jump on every bandwagon that goes past. Tell me John, have you made any consideration to the majority of the RBS workforce that earns under £20k a year, where bonuses for achieving individual targets form part of their necessary living expense?
Its all very well you sitting in your ivory tower with your fat "tax payer" pay packet, but to spout such under thought out rubbish is not only reckless, but dangerous given the blame culture that exists in our country and the possible vigilante possibilities that go with it. Will you accept any responsibility should a member of the british public take upon themselves to exact revenge on one of the banks? I think not!
Further to your well thought out campaign, have you made any consideration to the amount of "tax payers money" that these 170,000 staff have generated for the british economy over the last 10 years? Have you thought about the amount of corporation tax that RBS has paid for generating years of profits? Maybe this money is better spent on MP's second homes and endless expense accounts because as soon as the reckless few cause an organisation to seek help from the very people it has paid so handsomely (the british government), people like you come out and chastise every member of staff as if they are all earning six figure salaries. Maybe we should start a petition to get a pathetic excuse for an mp to return every penny he has bled from the uk tax payer!

Darren. I agree 100%. This is all a smoke screen in an attempt to conceal the governments culpability in the situation that the UK.has now arrived at after 12 years of their mismanagement. I have posed the question of MPs expenses five times to this man - guess how many replies I have received? He calls himself a socialist, I would describe him as a common looter and we all know what happens to them.

It's good to see some passion in politics - and this is something that people feel very strongly about.

Of course, there is something simplistic in making a bogeyman of 'bankers.' The economy is driven by greater forces than individual greedy bankers or corporations. We were overdue for a recession (anyone read 'The Tiger That Isn't?')

However, people are stung by the gross overspending involved in the bonus culture and it's fantastic to see that reflected in a high profile politician taking action. Great stuff.