It's with a (slightly) heavy heart that I can report general studies A-level - once a titan of the sixth-form - has taken its final bow. Two other subjects with zero entries this year: critical thinking and communication studies.

Both had around 2,000 entries 10 years ago.

A decade of austerity, part one. Average weekly pay, in real terms, is £14 lower than the pre-downturn peak. A decade of austerity, part two. 10 years on from the March 2008 Budget, economic growth is around 17% lower than forecast by then-chancellor Alistair Darling.