Cheer up, you've never had it so good

With spiralling food prices and energy bills, talk of a looming recession, and a credit crunch which means only the most economically attractive can get a mortgage, staying above the poverty line may seem a tough task in today's world.

Weren't things far better in the Fifties, when a few pounds could feed a family for a week, transport costs were at rock bottom and buying a home was an achievable dream even for a teenager?

Well no, it seems, they were not. In fact, according to a new report, we have never had it so good ...