Hard to say where is best to stick cash, the bank is a stable bet unless it goes bump but then the government cover up to 35k - is that per person or per bank?

Best to split anything over 35k over a few banks.

Gold, property or similar is only really safe on the long haul. Look at all the people that bought houses a coup,e of years ago and now are in negative equity. But those who bought 6 - 7 years ago have lots of equity in their property.

Same will be said for gold, prices will rise and fall, just depends when you bought it and when you sell it as to if you make money.

Regards other countries bailing a country out, it is better for them, as if they loan the money to stablise a country, that country and continue to trade/buy so that lender gets their cash back but also keeps their own economy going selling goods to that country.