It’s worrying that while David Cameron is urging businesses and the economy to hurry up, he seems to be telling pensions reform to slow down. Media reports suggest he’s getting the jitters about a much-needed overhaul to the state pension which aims to create a flat-rate, £140-a-week payment.

Apparently, what should have been a white paper is now taking on a very greenish tinge. In Westminster parlance those colours refer to the nature of government plans, and mean a firm proposal has become less definite or - as they say - more 'consultative'.