In a flap over menopause UK

REALLY, what did Bank of England deputy governor Ben Broadbent mean when he described the economy as ‘menopausal?’ That it was in a hot sweat, possibly capable of committing murder, deranged, exhausted, greying, furious, considering a ginger rinse, a holiday in Greece, an affair with someone inappropriate, never speaking to men again, optimistic, despairing, mellow, irritable, elated?

Whatever he meant, his remark was thoughtless and beneath contempt. I can’t get angry about it. Or can I? No, I’d like to say something but I’ve forgotten what it was. STOP PUTTING ALL THIS PRESSURE ON ME. I don’t care anyway. No, I do, but I have to go to the bathroom now.

To be honest, I am more annoyed about the GIRL fund that has been launched by Legal & General. It is being masterminded by superwoman Helena Morrissey (pictured right), the chief executive who has nine kids.

The fund will invest only in companies with a suitable percentage of women on the board, among the chief executives and in the ranks. But once you exclude companies because of an ethical prejudice, you start losing money — and everyone loses out.

Speaking of which, TV news presenter Jon Snow has taken a 25 per cent pay cut to alleviate the gender gap at Channel 4. He joins BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine, News At Ten anchor Huw Edwards, Today presenters John Humphrys and Nick Robinson, North America editor Jon Sopel and Radio 5 Live presenter Nicky Campbell, who have all agreed to a salary reduction.

Is this progress? Sometimes I wonder. Sometimes I don’t. Anyone got a Rennie?