The OECD said today that Portugal should "continue to broaden the scope of application of the standard rate of VAT," arguing that reduced rates for certain sectors, including restaurants, "is an inadequate method" of promoting employment.

In a blow to Portugal’s restaurant and café sector which has seen more than 50,000 of its members’ businesses fold during the recession, a report out today with the nifty title 'Portugal: consolidation of structural reforms to support growth and competitiveness', which was commissioned by the Portuguese Government,  the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reported that Portugal reduced VAT rates generated substantial revenue losses.

The Bank of Portugal has released its May figures for bad debt amongst Portugal’s residents, the numbers do not make happy reading.

In fact the volume of bad debt is the highest ever recorded, bringing distress, family break ups, medical problems and despair to a growing section of society.

There are now 100,000 debtors appearing on the published list - since the start of 2014 the number has grown by an average of 170 people and companies each day.

The list was started in 2009 as a way of shaming people into paying. This clearly has not worked as in five years there are over 100,000 debtors listed by the Ministry of Justice.

Rolls-Royce has welcomed a new record in sales for the year to-date.

The 1,968 vehicles sold were an increase of 33% over the same period in 2013.

A gang of British criminals has been sentenced for its sentenced to jail for selling shoplifted goods on eBay.

They went in search of goods to nick and targeted DIY stores, such as Homebase and B&Q in 13 counties.

Parliament Square in London will have a statue of Mahatma Gandhi added to its collection.

A statue of the Indian political leader will stand alongside those of Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela opposite the Houses of Parliament.

The current situation where caravanners use public spaces in which to park for free came to a head in Silves this February when the local GNR expelled a group of caravanners and their vehicles from the public carpark by the river.

The mayor commented at the time, "In a time of severe economic, financial and social crisis, more patience and restraint was called for when judging what measures should be taken, because the presence of the motorcaravanners in the city of Silves is a boost and considerably supports local businesses.”

Comparing June 2013 to figures just in for June 2014, the overall average occupancy rate for the Algarve’s hotels was 72.7%, the same as last year and a disappointment to the regional hoteliers association.

The main decreases in tourists were from the Irish (-1.1%) and the Portuguese (-0.6%) with the cheery Dutch up slightly (+0.4%), and the Germans (+0.2%).