Whatever next? As today turns into the most unprecedented day since yesterday and pillars of business fall like ancient trees in the 1987 freak storm, what will be the next financial certainty to crumble?

Could the oldest profession collapse in the wake of market meltdown? Jacqui Smith hopes so. In contrast to her government peers who are bailing out failing businesses, the home secretary wants to hasten the demise of one industry: sex. At the Labour conference, Ms Smith announced her proposals to crack down on prostitution and give local authorities greater powers over lap-dancing clubs. (In contrast to the Conservatives who offered a £10 reduction on entry to Birmingham’s Rocket Club in their conference pack.) The deadline for comments on the home secretary’s proposals ended this week.