It is easy to switch off when, once again, the news is full of European austerity measures and the Greek crisis – this time, the elections in France and Greece giving a resounding ‘no' to austerity in those countries.

Decisions taken within the EU will inevitably have implications for the UK's ability to get out of recession and, ultimately, public services. Both our banks and the Government are exposed to EU debt, and the EU remains one of our largest trading partners. Further crisis in Europe could mean further public spending pressures here.