Such a course would have pleased exporters, who thanks to the power of the pound have borne most of the anti-inflationary burden.

ECONOMIST: The fiscal arithmetic

In legislation drawing on his proposals, the government gave higher education funders power to take money away, pound for pound, from universities which charged higher fees.

BBC: Blunkett feels tuition fees pressure

Four utility companies have revealed a multi-billion pound investment in water and power networks across Yorkshire and the North East.

BBC: Generic water works