Whilst ATOS does their worst...HMRC 'lost nerve' over big tax avoiders

The government is well aware of what it's doing : some rich people/organisations/businesses are now more powerful than national governments.  It also clearly shows where this government's political philosophy lies : with the advantaged.  Those disadvantaged are to be dealt with harshly.  They are not individually or collectively powerful enough to seriously influence government opinion and are seen as an expense to the public purse.  So there we have it, happy christmas?

Well I passed a newspaper stand an hour ago, and nearly every front page headline is about being soft on the rich and mean on the poor.

So I think there's little doubt now, in the public's mind that the "coalition" has screwed up badly.

While newspapers inform, newspaper headlines tend to follow public feeling.