Nick Clegg was quick to clarify today that the proposed 'Emergency Tax on the rich' is actually a whip round.
"We were just planning on, you know, passing the hat round. We promise not to ask again, it is just to tide us over".
For the moderately well-off, Clegg suggests an 'honesty box' system at local town halls, plus a special red bin outside the Treasury "so people can leave little donations until things pick up again".
more soon...