**UK adspend dropped four per cent in 2008 to £18.6bn according to the Advertising Association, not so much you might say. But the real clamp came on when Lehman Brothers went bust in September so this year's figures will probably be at least as grim. Internet and cinema were up, but internet is being sold at knock-down prices as too many owners chase revenue. So is it all grim? Yes, actually. There won't be much of a bounce until next spring. **Gordon Brown, the proverbial dead man walking, launched his latest wheeze, "Building Britain's Future" today with all sorts of Blairite promises to empower users of public services. And threats to penalise youngsters for not getting jobs. But Gordon, there aren't any ******* jobs. The politicos are saying that Gordon will quit next spring to avoid being humiliated at the imminent election, to give someone else the chance to enjoy a 'bounce', just like a new Premiership manager for the first three matches. I'll still be surprised if he makes it through the autumn party conference. **England Under-21s were stuffed 4-0 by Germany in the final of the European Championships, thereby confounding those credulous football hacks who were pencilling in manager Stuart Pearce as the successor to Fabio Capello. Pearce found himself with too few strikers following injury and suspensions and the team never actually played that much football, relying on the long ball to tiny Theo Walcott. And left their best player, Everton's Jack Rodwell on the bench. Oh well, at least they practised their penalties for the semi-final.