Good news. The charitable spirit has not been extinguished by the recession. British Airways is pioneering a new trend in corporate philanthropy with an offer its staff can’t refuse: the chance to work up to a month for free. Willie Walsh, the airline’s chief executive, has shown those charity tin-rattling old biddies a thing or two. Who knew this month’s national volunteer week would make such an impact?

It is great to see charity in action. Politicians are perennially banging on about wanting to revive the culture of volunteering, and here is the private sector leading the way. It may be a lesson for Gordon Brown. Perhaps he could give us the chance to pay more tax if we wanted to help out with the public finances?