Most countries have a deficit, very few have a large surplus of cash Japan being the exception but that amount is still relatively small even comparing it to itself.
Besides if the Government sold BP they could pay the deficit off put the change in the bank so the UK will have a huge surplus, and who ever buys BP will have to charge us less for the fuel especially for our vehicles because of OPEC.
This stuff is easy; don’t know what’s up with the politicians, oh yes I remember now. 
That may be true Ewan, but do you, like me, wonder who the hell they are borrowing all that money from?
If I was starting out right now, this is what I would do.
I would advertise a dial a clean service, yes you would still pick up regulars, but I think there is a niche market for a clean when you want service.
I wouldn't want someone doing it in my area, because I know that many of my customers would be happy if they only had them cleaned every three months, or whenever they thought the windows really needed it, at least 10% of my customers are not glad to see me, the faces on some of them when I knock for my money is like a smacked bum.
Of course, a dial a clean service would need to command a premium price, I bet you would get it too.