The odd billion here, the odd billion there, soon you are talking real money!
The result of a tea break searching google is below.
Mainly lifted from wikipedia – so of course take the values (which are in pounds) with a touch of salt.
Still, I found the relative values illuminating – feel free to add to the list if so inclined.
1.3 billion NZ defence budget
2.2 billion BAE's profits
3.8 billion Spent when Nimrod Mra4 scrapped
5 billion QE carriers
6 billion UK overseas aid budget
6 billion First 3 Astute submarines
7 billion 1988 estimate for 232 typhoon airframes
10 billion Estimated cost to rebuild Christchurch earthquake damage
13 billion 14 A330 UK tanker
13 billion 132 JSF airframes
20 billion Trident replacement?
20 billion Current budget for 162 typhoons
34 billion UK defence budget
37 billion UK Defence overspend
37 billion MOD estimate of the life cycle cost of Typhoon
43 billion UK interest on national debt
80 billion NZ GDP
113 billion UK social welfare
120 billion UK Health service
186 billion UK social security budget
420 billion US defence budget
900 billion UK National debt
1,721 billion UK GDP
Last edited by typerated; 15th Mar 2011 at 10:36.