But politicians in Cardiff Bay were today focused on a different kind of deficit - the gap between political activity in the National Assembly for Wales and media coverage of it - or the lack of it.

BBC: Why doesn't Welsh politics sell newspapers?

Mr Lewis told assembly members there was a "fall off in activity" between primary and secondary school, and the problem was worse for girls compared to boys.

BBC: Active children and young people statement

In the Northern Ireland Assembly two committees have been told that contaminated meat points to fraudulent activity and to Europe.

BBC: Horsemeat scandal: 'Too trusting' on meat supplies