Sixty years on. The Diamond Jubilee has created a moment to ponder the changes that have taken place in Britain over two generations, with one opinion poll at least suggesting that a majority of people feel the country or, rather, countries are a worse place now than in 1952. Yes, we are richer in money terms but, in social terms, many people seem to feel a sense of loss.

Such is the herd mentality among investors that it needs only the merest hint of trouble and they are falling over each other in a rush to so-called "safe havens". It really is like so many sheep clustered together at the corner of a field. Russia? Sub-Saharan Africa? Pfah. You can keep your gaudy yields and your fancy returns on capital. Even some more developed "emerging" markets – parts of Asia for example – can expect short shrift. It's German Bunds and US Treasuries for us. Right on cue the former hit a record low yield yesterday morning. Baaaaa!

A quarter of families are cutting back on food costs by not ordering a regular take-away, or by buying basic ranges in the supermarket, according to the Aviva report. However, they are still buying takeaway coffee.

It was called her "Let them eat cake" moment. Now Greece will be saying: "Make her pay tax".

The high street roared back from the wettest April on record with optimism and the strongest sales growth for more than a year in the first half of May, the CBI said yesterday.

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Economic Outlook: Why not start temporary tax cuts and shovel ready projects right now?

The latest figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders made grim reading this week, as it reported new lending was at its lowest for 12 months. It was estimated that £10.2bn was lent in April, almost 20 per cent lower than the March figures which were inflated due to first-time buyers trying to complete their purchases before the stamp duty concession came to an end.

The price of some top-selling cars has risen well above the inflation rate over the last four years, according to Which? magazine.

Families' disposable incomes are at their lowest since 2008, despite the decline in their spending power slowing, a report has said.

The policy menu for last night's meal in Brussels was enough to turn the stomachs of most hardline German politicians and officials. Eurobonds, stimulus loans, an easing of spending cuts for the weakest: they are all liable to give monetary and fiscal hawks of Europe's pillar economy serious indigestion.

The pressure on Bank of England policymakers was underlined today as minutes revealed their decision not to inject more cash into the struggling economy earlier this month was "finely balanced".

The Chancellor, George Osborne, faced another blow to deficit-busting efforts yesterday with more gloom on borrowing as the UK's slide back into recession hit the Treasury's coffers.

Inflation fell to its lowest level in more than two years last month, official figures showed today, as high street discounting took the pressure off household budgets.