Outlook What goes through the head of someone when they're flogging a dead horse? Do they imagine that if they only put more vigour into the beating the beast will advance? Perhaps they think a different whip will do the trick. Or maybe a juicy carrot will induce movement. Such questions put us in mind of the Funding for Lending Scheme.

Outlook It's an urban myth that Apple's logo was inspired by the cyanide-laced piece of fruit that Alan Turing bit into when he committed suicide. But investors have, nevertheless, been reacting to the California technology giant's stock in recent months as if it were just as poisonous. The share price has surrendered 44 per cent since hitting $702 last September. And there was much complaining this week when Apple revealed its first fall in profits for a decade. "The market is tired of the same old thing at Apple," said one analyst.

Outlook It was a common refrain of the boom years: public sector productivity growth is scandalously weak. All that extra money for schools and hospitals from the previous government appearing to be producing minimal extra output. What a waste of taxpayers' money!

The pain of high street retailers goes on with the CBI's latest distributive trades survey pointing to flat sales volumes in April.

The Bank of England and the Treasury today announced an extension to their Funding for Lending Scheme.

George Osborne faces the most severe test of his Chancellorship tomorrow morning when official figures reveal whether or not the economy has slipped into an unprecedented "triple-dip" recession.

The misery of the eurozone is not abating with the German powerhouse back in trouble, according to the latest snapshot of activity in the single currency area.

Alex Salmond has accused George Osborne of “trying to scare people in Scotland” after the Chancellor seized on a report by the Treasury which warned it may not be viable for the country to keep the pound if it votes for independence.

Agency worried by 'weaker economic and fiscal outlook'