GEORGE ORBORNE seems pretty good at covering things up.

At the start of the month, he was revealing all about how he had switched hairstyles to disguise his thinning locks (With you on that one, George).

But last week, he was at it again, his attention this time turning to the latest GDP figures, though he was still laying it on equally thick.

The Office for National Statistics said GDP figures showed economic output had increased by 0.8 per cent between July and last month, which was the best quarterly performance since 2010, with strong performances across all sectors. Mr Osborne said it was proof the UK is on the path to recovery.

Try telling that to the millions of low-paid workers out there and those on zerohours contracts, not to mention the level of youth unemployment.

He was also warned by North-East business leaders that he must do more to help firms expand and create jobs.

Yesterday, Eon boss Tony Cocker revealed he had written to David Cameron calling for a full investigation into the energy market.

He isn’t the only one concerned.

Phil Orford, chief executive of the Forum of Private Business, warned about the same subject, saying: “Businesses are facing a lot of cost pressures and, when looking at how to dampen energy price rises, the Government should not ignore that businesses are facing similar challenges.”

It will be interesting to see how the Government, and Mr Osborne, brush over that subject.

THE sceptics who believe us journalists thrive on bad news could be forgiven for their views looking at the story on the front of today’s supplement, coupled with Sone Products’ news.

Job cuts are never nice, particularly for the people involved, and you only hope that management plans, which they say will create a brighter future, come to fruition and losses are replaced by job creation.

A Mrs Richardson, from Darlington, who is in her 80s, phoned the business desk last week and offered to take copies of our Jobs and Business pull-out to an event she was attending at The Sage music centre, in Gateshead.

The debate, hosted by Brewin Dolphin and the Spectator magazine, featured local and national politicians as well as business leaders.

“I wanted to show them The Northern Echo so they could read what’s really going on in the North-East,”

said Mrs Richardson, who is no relation to my colleague and business editor, Andy.

Many thanks Mrs Richardson, it’s messages of support like yours that make our job worthwhile.