Downing Street says the latest batch of New Year Honours "may not be the
glitziest list in recent years".
The list contains everyone from captains of industry to pot-washers, from
brilliant scientists to lollipop ladies.
It contains 976 names, one fewer than in the Birthday Honours earlier this
year.
Even so, it does contain a sprinkling of showbusiness celebrities and
sporting figures, although, unusually, there is not a single current
top-line footballer or cricketer in the list.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "It is about rewarding
people who work and serve at the sharp end, people who change things or
give outstanding service to others in difficult situations."
Of these 424 (42%) were nominated or supported by members of the community.
The emphasis, as in previous years, is on education (10% of the total),
health and wider social services (10%), community services (30%), business
(20%), the cultural economy (8%) and sport (3%).
Once again there are no life peers. A spokesmen pointed out that these are
now more regarded as appointments than honours and usually come in
separate lists.
Among the business people in the list are John Rose, chief executive
Rolls-Royce plc (knighthood), Peter Burt, executive deputy chairman
Halifax Bank of Scotland (knighthood) and John Houliston, chief executive
Dairy Crest plc (CBE).