David Cameron has acknowledged that the latest unemployment figures are "very disappointing" after more than 100,000 people joined the ranks of those looking for a job.
An additional 80,000 low income families are to be eligible for help with meeting the costs of childcare under plans announced today by the Government.
Confidence in the UK's financial sector was dealt a blow today after an agency slashed the credit ratings of some of Britain's biggest financial institutions to reflect reduced Government support.