Thorntons' strategy-review statement yesterday was a grim example of management speak. The lowlights included "a more focused retail estate with a differentiated customer proposition", "a de-risked business" that "positions the company for sustainable future growth", and a push to "grow the relevance of other all-year-round gifting occasions".

Sir Mervyn stressed that a further round of quantitative easing was an option, though he cautioned that he wouldn’t turn to this if it threatened inflation

Most private-sector workers gave up on decent pensions and job security decades ago

The Governor of the Bank of England was widely referred to yesterday as Sir Mervyn King – not least because the Bank itself now gives him that title on anything it publishes. But hasn't it rather jumped the gun? King was only knighted in the Queen's Birthday honours last week and hasn't yet been to the Palace for his investiture. Until he has seen Her Majesty, shouldn't he remain plain Mr King, rather than Sir Mervyn?

The central proposal of the Vickers Commission, backed by the chancellor, is to separate out the big bank's retail banking operations - the bits that run boring old savings, mortgage and cheque accounts - from their investment banking activities, or so-called "casino banking".

Almost 100,000 people have had to take second jobs in the past year to make ends meet, according to research by The Independent.

Only a short but eventful year ago, George Osborne was no one's idea of a chancellor. He routinely trailed Vince Cable and Alistair Darling in polls of the City, the public and business for competence. Mervyn King told the US ambassador he was worried by his lack of experience. Peter Mandelson identified poor George as the Tories' "weakest link"; dark rumours circulated that he would be replaced by the apparently full-of-mojo William Hague.

Good news for the 19th-century prison reformer Elizabeth Fry. Hers is the face on the £5 note, and yesterday's announcement by the Bank of England that there is to be an injection of "quality" fivers in ATMs will restore some dignity to a lady who, more often than not in recent years, has looked a little bedraggled.

High street banks are bracing themselves for share sell-offs and more public criticism tomorrow after the Bank of England Governor launched an astonishing attack, warning of another banking crisis if the sector is not reformed.

Bank of England Governor strikes dovish note on timing of interest-rate increase

The Governor of the Bank of England today told MPs the economy appears to have rebounded at the start of 2011 and inflation pressures are still likely to wane as the year progresses.

Governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, says junior staff at the FSA were given too much responsibility.

Andrew Sentance has made his most outspoken attack yet on the Bank of England's economic forecasts, saying they understated inflation risks and the need for a rate hike. A long-standing hawk on the Bank's rate-setting committee, having voted for higher interest rates since last June, Mr Sentance made his growing frustration with the Bank's record on forecasting inflation clear.

Deep divisions within the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee were laid bare again when its leading "hawk", Andrew Sentance, an external appointment, accused colleagues of "selling England by the pound" and called for a rise in rates before May – earlier than market expectations.