IT IS indeed odd how the world can turn: for large parts of last year, one of the common criticisms that mainstream British economic commentators levelled at the UK government was the use of vast amounts of public funds to prop up the errant banking sector, while leaving manufacturing and other traditional industries, including shipping, to fend for themselves in the recessionary bloodbath.

The comparison was frequently made with Germany, where the state was serious about supporting its heavy industries through the downturn in the belief that any recovery would be underpinned by high-tech manufacturing.

So we raise a quizzical eyebrow to read today of the UK government providing loan guarantees and investments backing new Ford and Nissan car-making initiatives to the tune of around £400m ($610m) while at the same time reading of the Germany’s decision not to launch a special rescue package for its badly bruised maritime industries.

The German maritime sector — its yards, ports, shipowners and banks and KG funds — have had a bad time of it, undeniably, and their problems exist on a multitude of levels. But it must also be a psychological blow to have to suddenly face up to the reality that a government that has often been willing to support its troubled blue chip sectors now seems to have lost that appetite.

In contrast, UK companies and employees who long ago gave up the illusion that its government remotely cared about their fortunes have had a pleasant surprise.