In October, Ross McEwan, the Royal Bank of Scotland boss, took an unorthodox approach to getting in front of the latest round of bad publicity concerning the bank’s treatment of small businesses.

Over the past few weeks Ireland has been at the centre of serious, and at times difficult, negotiations that will have some impact on the future of Europe. There was also a bit of brouhaha about Brexit.

It might be an age thing, but the pace of life these days can be dizzying. There was a time when budgets rarely unravelled, and even bad measures were seen through to the bitter end. Then they started unravelling, but not usually for a few weeks.

They are a teeming army of creative, versatile, self-reliant risk-takers and the backbone of the British economy. Alternatively, they are opportunistic tax dodgers, functionaries who masquerade as entrepreneurs to qualify for perks unavailable to mere salaried employees.

Philip Hammond is likely to announce plans to overhaul the tax system for the self‑employed in next week’s budget.

A Conservative manifesto pledge to abolish national insurance contributions for low-paid self-employed workers is to be delayed for a year, saving the Treasury £200 million.

Cutting back on one £3 drink a week could generate additional pension savings of more than £14,000

Is it ever too early to save for your child’s future?

Many stay-at-home parents choose to get a job or start a business from home. Nowadays, it’s relatively easy to do, as we are backed up with the technology. You need only a PC/laptop and an Internet connection to find a way to make money while being near your baby.

Savings across Irish households are increasing despite interest rates being at record lows, a national survey shows.