As part of plans to tackle the UK’s ballooning £220bn (€240bn) budget deficit, the Prime Minister last week dusted off proposals to find a home for some the Government’s unloved assets. While cynics were quick to point out that many of the proposed divestments – the Tote and the Student Loan Company, for example – have been on the block for some time, deal-starved investment banks will nevertheless be keen to pick up mandates advising the Government and any potential buyers.

Other assets on the block include the Dartford Crossing, the Channel Tunnel rail link and the Government's 33% stake in uranium enrichment company Urenco.