The action came as the Government reported a record $17.6 billion increase in the October trade deficit and the dollar continued to decline.

Of course, tax increases could offset the burden, but the city passed a record increase of more than $800 million to balance its current budget.

So, while the Republicans rolled back about $600 million of the new taxes, they left in place $2.2 billion, which in itself is a record increase.

As a result, the post-war years saw a record increase in student numbers.

But, excluding a record increase for aircraft and other transportation equipment, orders rose 0.3 percent.

In the next years, stock prices soared, registering record increases.

The previous record increase from one Christmas to the next was in 1987, when the price jumped 8.4 percent.

"Record levels, record increases, not just for the city but across the state of New York."

Mr Blair's government introduced about 3500 regulations last year alone - a record increase.

The governor has proposed a $382 million increase in education aid, after four years of record increases.