Boost for George Osborne's deficit-busting plans as it almost entirely reverses the IMF's earlier growth forecast cuts

Agreement on reform reached despite debt inspectors warning of an 'uncertain economic outlook'

Mr Osborne also countered criticism that his plan was created with an eye on the upcoming election battle with Labour

Britain's double-dip recession could be wiped from the records today when the latest official figures on the economy are released.

Experts warn that all parties will make deeper cuts after election as the only way to tackle the deficit

Reasons for optimism about growth beyond the immediate outlook are in short supply

Chief executive of state-owned bank in line for payout worth £5.6m

Royal Bank of Scotland announced today that it is cutting 1,400 jobs in the latest round of redundancies since it was bailed out by the taxpayer.

EU, ECB and IMF say the next slice of financial support will be released soon

Jobless levels hit a record high

Outlook "In the Abrahamic Bible that unites Christians, Jews and Muslims there are 2,350 verses on wealth and power and just 100 on sex," says Paul Moore. "So we know what God thinks."

Greek unemployment hit a record 27.2 per cent in January, up from 25.7 per cent in December and 21.5 per cent a year ago, with unemployment in the 15-24 age group at 59.3 per cent.

Italian replaced Martin O'Neill

“Her shadow is very long,” someone said on the Huw Edwards special which took over the afternoon schedules – and if you’d been watching the rolling news coverage since the announcement of Baroness Thatcher’s death, you would have felt every inch of it.