Tories have yet to reap reward of putting economy at heart of election strategy

Experts say that, while inflation and unemployment matter, what's happening to pay packets makes more difference to polls

The Conservatives have put the economy at the heart of their election strategy in the belief that it will give them a decisive lead over Labour.

This approach will still be justified if there is a swing to the Tories in the last 10 days of the campaign. But so far, despite zero inflation, falling unemployment and rising consumer confidence, David Cameron has yet to reap a significant "growth dividend".