UK Business News

Housebuilding eases UK construction slowdown

Outlook for Britain's building trade remains gloomy but a rise in the residential sector offsets commercial activity

Treasury seizes control of RBS bonus pool

The Treasury demanded the right of veto over the size and terms of bonus payments for thousands of its bankers

• RBS relaxes loan terms for small businesses

• RBS stocks rise on joining protection scheme

UK on the mend, says BoE's chief economist

Spencer Dale plays down his dissenting vote on quantitative easing, saying plan helped to rescue the economy

BT rivals face price rises to plug pension gap

Telecoms regulator will examine whether to increase charges for phonelines in a move to pay down the shortfall

World Business News

Aer Lingus to axe more jobs as pay talks fail

The Irish airline said it would have to make deeper cuts after pilots and cabin crew resist pay changes

Dubai World creditors eye trophy assets

Lawyers are investigating merits of two separate claims, including one against valuable businesses such as P&O Ferries

• ‘Sovereign guarantee is now meaningless’

• Defiant state fails to quell investors' fears

NBC Universal sale makes key breakthrough

NBC Universal entertainment group will be sold to Comcast after a deal struck by General Electric and Vivendi

Orange seeks green light for merger

Orange is understood to be about to detail formally its attempt to create a ‘super-operator’ in a tie-up with T-Mobile

Analysis

Let the board decide on bankers' pay

Ministers have insisted that it is not the amount of bonuses that they want to control, just the structure

• M&B's bar ban makes sense

• Bringing plans down to earth

Beware the mirage of markets built on sand

From Dubai to Moscow to Shanghai, the world's financial centres stand and fall not on their losses but on their governance

Tempus: Assets help Shaftesbury fight downturn

The landlord's London portfolio is skewed towards shops and restaurants which have benefited from increased tourism

Law  

Terror suspects win case for bail

Government’s counter-terrorism regime dealt a blow as judges rule against holding terror suspects on secret evidence

Former Morgan Crucible boss goes to top court

Retired chief executive Ian Norris, 66, is fighting attempt by the US to extradite him on charges of obstructing justice

• Norris facing extradition after losing latest appeal

• Lords to rule on Ian Norris extradition case

Test case appeal is last hope for McKinnon

Businessman's battle to stop extradition to US on human rights grounds could have ramifications for computer hacker

Money  

How to repair a poor credit record

Use the right cards to improve your chances of being accepted by mainstream lenders

Women’s guide to a happy and peaceful retirement

Relying on a husband’s pension provision can be a recipe for hardship in later life

• Women’s pensions explained

• Will you be hit by the pensions shake-up?

China: Bolton’s bet for the next decade

One of the country’s top stockpickers, is launching a China fund, hailing it as the 'investment opportunity of the decade'

business travel  

Rail nightmare for Gatwick and Luton airport services

Industrial action and service restrictions from the £5.5bn Thameslink programme are causing headaches for business travellers

How to bag the best seat on the plane

A new seat-finding service gets our business travel editor thinking about other technology he would like to see

Heathrow's terminal 2 closes after 54 years

The old Europa Building will be demolished to make way for a 30 million passenger a year mega-terminal