Amid much political chatter about the economy getting better, tactically being emphasised just as the country needs full international support for its exit from full Troika control, the situation in the high street and at industrial units across Portugal tells a different tale.

The percentage of companies with overdue loans rose in March to 31%, the highest rate since December 2009, according to data released on Wednesday by the Bank of Portugal. This will be a huge disappointment to Pires de Lima, the Minister for the Economy, whose political ascendance is linked to the country’s economic growth.

The sluggish Spanish economy showed signs of growth from January to March this year.

Gross domestic product rose by 0.4%, according to the country's National Statistics Institute.

In stark contrast to the UK, the prime minister of Poland encouraged his countrymen to “raise a glass” to celebrate the country’s tenth anniversary of entry into the European Union.

Donald Tusk said membership has been a success, noting that the last decade has been one of great economic progress for the nation.

The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Marques Guedes, announced today that the government will announce the terms and method of Portugal’s final exit from the financial assistance programme before the end of this coming weekend.

Guedes said that the Council of Ministers will meet again this week to decide on life post-Troika and said that the decision on the ‘hows and wherefores’ will be communicated to the Portuguese public before the end of the weekend.

The Commission for Coordination and Regional Development (CCDR) Algarve has announced the start of the public consultation period for the Environmental Impact Assessment of IKEA's plans to build its Algarve retail centre.

Not content with letting the public make its mind up about the impact of the major retail site, the notice published on RegiaoSul puts a clearly positive spin on the Swedish stores’ inevitable destruction of the local natural environment.

The restaurant at the luxury Vila Joya hotel in Galé, Albufeira climbed 15 places in the Restaurant Magazine listings.

The magazine announced the final list of the world’s best restaurants on Monday night in London.

The price of essential goods for UK households is reported to have risen by 25% in the last ten years.

At the same time, wages have been depressed and have grown by scant more than 2%, according to Halifax.

Vehicle devices in the UK are beginning to cut down bogus insurance claims.

Three people who recently tried to claim £54,000 in damage and personal injuries following a minor accident saw their claim rejected after a telematics device proved the claim was implausible.