MORE good news on the jobs front – although, as is often the case, one encouraging picture of the economy is quickly defaced by a less optimistic one.

Unemployment in North and East Yorkshire has fallen, which is exactly what we all want to hear. Sadly, it has risen in York and Selby.

Nationally, the economists seem unable to agree on what comes next. The pound rising to its highest level against the dollar in six months and better than expected figures were interpreted by some as a sign that the economy might have gone past bottom.

Then along came the Bank of England to say any recovery is likely to be slow and protracted.

Oh dear. Perhaps the trick is only to believe those stories you wish to believe in.