And he went on to explain that he could not promise to reverse any cut and made one - just one - specific policy announcement - that Labour would not oppose continuing public sector pay restraint.

BBC: Labour: Misunderstanding or division?

Prof Miles says the easiest way to think about a "helicopter drop" is as a lump sum temporary tax cut - or a one-off reverse poll tax - financed by new government bonds which are purchased by the Bank of England on the secondary market, but with all interest and redemption payments etc transferred back to the Treasury.

BBC: Should Bank start the helicopter?

If a quick rate-cut touched off a renewed episode of inflation, it would be difficult for the Fed to rapidly reverse course.

ECONOMIST: And Ben Bernanke keeps his cool