Mike, I dont know about heart surgeons but,,,,,,, my better half is an orthopaedic trauma nurse and nurses for a Dr xxxxxxx. This Dr charges £6,550 per hip re-placement and does 3 in a day. Granted he pays the anesthesist (i know i cant spell it) a £1,000 per op but otherwise doesnt have to many other debts. From what I gather he clears over 4,000 per op. Hey at a £1,000 3 times a day isnt too bad at all for the anaesthesist either. As you know I am a yank and as I hadnt lived in this country long enough I had to pay for an operation as the NHS wouldnt cover it, nor should they have had too. This (3 in all) op cost me just under £15,000. So where you think we earn what they do or vice-versa I am not sure. A good lawyer will charge £150 a letter and £40 per phone call. He or she also sits in court for close to £400 an hour. As for the Prime minister, dont make me laugh, 50 quid is too much. In closing please dont let me have to use your heart surgeon or lawyer. For indeed if they are earning less than a good carpet cleaner it is maybe they, who needs a job change. Best, Dave.