EVEN if the financial outlook is grim there is always the chance of a win on the Premium Bonds.

Annoyingly, it now turns out that the recent big cut in the interest rate has led National Savings & Investments to reduce the prize money.

The nation’s 23 million bond holders now have a 36,000 to one chance of winning with each £1 number compared with 24,000 to one previously.

Not that those of us who are serial non-winners will notice much difference, of course.