Forget the financial crisis and the credit crunch.
Government and monetary policy has resulted in the GB pound losing over a third of its buying power since 2003. Only Jamaica and South Africa have faired worse!
The value the pound has lost against other currencies since 2003:
Eurozone () -22%
Philippines (Peso) -32%
Switzerland (Franc) -34%
Canada (Can $) -36%
Thailand (Baht) -36%
New Zealand (NZ$) -38%
Australia (Aus $) 47%
USA ($) -8%
South Africa (Rand) +6%
Jamaica (Jam $) +66%