Credit crisis diary: Peston tramples on Flanders – again

More ructions over at the BBC, where the relationship between the economics editor, Stephanie Flanders, and business editor, Robert Peston, has long been expected to produce fireworks. While Flanders was dispatched to the remote Scottish Highlands for an eve-of-Budget Ten O'Clock News report, Peston popped up on yesterday's Today programme talking about the IMF, trampling all over his rival's territory. Just to add insult to injury, who did the BBC turn to for instant reaction to the Budget when the Chancellor sat down yesterday? Step forward Robert Peston. Poor old Stephanie was nowhere to be seen. All good, clean knock-about fun, of course.

Ryanair gets tough on the fatties

Planning on flying Ryanair any time soon? If so, those of a fuller figure might be wise to step on to the scales before arriving at the airport. The results of a competition run by Ryanair to find new charges it could levy are in, and a third of those who voted said larger people should be charged more. The airline reckons it might introduce extra charges for men weighing more than 20 stone and women weighing more than 15 stone. Still, you wouldn't want to be a check-in staff member charged with telling people you think they're over the limit.

Primark produces the big gun celebrities

While other retailers pay-top dollar for C-list celebrities to hawk their wares, Primark has got the real stars. The bargain basement retailer is proudly boasting of the big names who wear its clothes – they include the Prime Minister's wife, Sarah Brown, Princess Beatrice, the daughter of Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew; and – wait for it – Tessa Jowell, the Olympics minister.

The drivers who like to live dangerously

A new survey from the insurer Swiftcover makes terrifying reading. Recounting the numbers of people distracted in different ways while driving, it lists all the usual suspects – talking on mobile telephones, fiddling with a radio and so on. But in addition, 4 per cent of drivers admit to watching films while driving – can that really be true? And if so, what on earth were they watching – Fast and Furious, say. As if you didn't know, Swiftcover points out that driving while watching a film is likely to get you into trouble with the boys in blue – and your insurer.

Hands up if you've been rightsized

Are you fed up with hearing about job losses? Then Reed Elsevier's latest trading statement is the place for you. None of that dismal talk about redundancies at Reed. Oh no. Rather, the company says its Reed Business Information subsidiary is currently concentrating on "right sizing the cost base to match reduced revenue expectations".

businessdiary@independent.co.uk