Outlook Whatever the rights and wrongs of Kraft's bid for Cadbury, it would be crazy to heed the calls of Midlands MPs – and others – who want the Government to stop Royal Bank of Scotland helping to fund the takeover. RBS is one of a syndicate of lenders offering finance to the US company as it tries to buy up its rival, and those who want to keep Cadbury British say it is inappropriate for a bank that is now 84 per cent owned by the taxpayer to play such a role.

Like the tale of Cinderella's delicate glass slipper and the ugly sisters, the EU seems to have difficulty trying to find a policy on footwear that fits.

Gordon Brown yesterday staked his political reputation on a swift recovery from Britain's longest-ever recession, with a pledge that the downturn would be over by Christmas.

Thomas Bjorn has reacted angrily after Padraig Harrington questioned plans for a possible tightening up of membership rules on the European Tour.

Fine words from City minister Lord Myners to an audience of bankers, offering them a reality check on pay and bonuses by suggesting they think about the fact that the minimum wage is just £5.73-an-hour. Lord Myners sets an example by drawing no ministerial salary at all... no doubt a £100,000-a-year pension from fund manager Gartmore, once owned by RBS, cushions the blow.

Think back to your childhood, how often can you remember spending hours sitting inside watching TV, unable to venture outside to play freely? Hopefully not many of you.

The first formal summit of the four emerging "BRIC" powers concluded in Russia yesterday with calls for reform of international economic institutions and a curb on protectionism.

On the basis of the text of the G20 summit communiqué, leaked comprehensively yesterday, it seems pretty clear that the event will be a flop. But could Thursday's G20 Summit do more harm than good?