The number of completed homes funded by the affordable housing supply programme fell by 5% to 6, 882 in 2011-12.

BBC: Fall in number of new homes in Scotland

Fewer homes were also built using cash from the Scottish government's affordable housing supply programme, which helps provide properties for low-cost rent or ownership, with 6, 882 completed in 2011-12.

BBC: Scottish new builds increase for first time in five years

In an interview for the Aberdeen Press and Journal at the weekend, the Bank's chief economist, Spencer Dale, said it would not be appropriate for the BoE to restart its quantitative easing programme if supply-side problems, rather than a lack of demand, were the reason for the UK's weak economic recovery.

BBC: Is the Bank of England doing enough?

To boost its supply of emergency doctors, Max created a training programme with George Washington University in America.

ECONOMIST: The medical workforce

But a Bangladeshi MP, Rabeya Bhuyian, has accused The World Bank, the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Development Programme of failing to protect the water supply.

BBC: By Helen Sewell of BBC Science

Operations to supply cheap loans to banks under the asset-purchasing programme have repeatedly failed in recent weeks, as subscriptions have fallen well short of the BoJ's targets.

CNN: Bank of Japan bows to inflation pressure

America's Certified Cargo Screening Programme makes shippers, forwarders and manufacturers take responsibility for their part of the supply chain.

ECONOMIST: Bureaucracy not technology

Their programme in Nigeria is relatively new and country director, Richard Boustred, told me the supply of contraceptives can sometimes prove erratic.

BBC: Team tackling contraception myths in northern Nigeria

Since the programme's success depends on demand for its credits, which may be low in comparison to overall supply, we believe a flexible financing mechanism is required.

ECONOMIST: Letters