The clearest and most irrefutable proof that we have a major crisis in the economy is provided by the number of job losses. Ten days ago the Small Firms Association estimated that 400 jobs per week were being lost to the economy. Based on current trends, this is likely to continue for the foreseeable future as investment and business confidence continue to weaken. When investment begins to decline, job creation dries up and when confidence dissipates, investment dries up.