The Bank of England was today urged not to waste time in issuing another dose of emergency medicine to help the ailing British economy.

The UK's stuttering economic recovery faces a further test when revised figures for second quarter GDP are published.

Official figures are expected to reveal a boost to British retail sales in July as extended sales clearances drew in cash-strapped consumers.

British retail sales figures released today are expected to reveal a modest rise in spending in June after some of the country's biggest store chains started their summer sales early to tempt cash-strapped consumers.