Count Kostov has been counting the cost of everything. We are at £250 billion annually, and counting.

Here are the current top ten costs:
1. Crime: £60 billion
2. Unemployment: £40 billion
3. Ageism: £34 billion
4. Mental ill health: £32 billion
5. Congestion: £20 billion
6. Road Accidents: £16 billion
7. Stress: £11 billion
8. Air Pollution: £11 billion
9. Absenteeism: £11 billion
10.Back Pain: £5 billion

So back pain costs are in the same league as smoking (£1.7 billion) plus alcohol abuse (£3.3 billion) plus obesity (£2 billion) combined.

In total it comes to about £250 billion every year. That is over £8000 for every household in the country. Count Kostov wants his £8000 back.

So who are these people who produce these estimates? In nearly every case it is a familiar pattern:

1. Venal start: special interest group wants to prove that there are huge costs associated with the problem they sponsor.
2. The meadow mayonnaise moment: research is commissioned which conveniently proves the point the sponsors want.
3. The illogical conclusion: more money must be spent on the problem, preferably by channelling it through the special interest lobbyists who can keep their verminous careers going.

Count Kostov invites you to submit the following ideas:
1. Any more "cost of" studies which deserve a mention and possible nomination for the annual meadow mayonnaise awards?
2. What punishment is suitable for these vermin? Like the Mikado, we "let the punishment fit the crime."