UK Business News

Hopes rise for Vauxhall jobs
at Ellesmere Port

Carmaker to step up production in Cheshire from two to three shifts a day

£6 broadband levy may be trebled for homes

Two million homes will pay more than three times the broadband levy initially proposed — and there’s VAT on top of that

• Remote access in the UK for broadband users

• Tesco in broadband and home phones push

United Utilities to turn into a pure water group

North West water company to sell its last non-core businesses, Northern Gas Networks and Manila Water Company

UK GDP revised up but Britain stays in recession

Second reading of gross domestic product reveals the economy fell by 0.3% between July and September

World Business News

Dollar takes tumble as speculators move into riskier territory

Greenback sell-off is sign of growing confidence in ongoing improvement in US economy

EU proposals rattle UK private equity

British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association says requirements worsens deeply defective directive

• Hedge fund directive will cost €1.4bn a year

• London Mayor fights for City’s financiers

Tiffany's sparkle returns as purse strings loosen

New York jeweller beats forecasts in the third quarter as it heads into the crucial Christmas shopping season

Savvy investors pile into Chinese garlic

In the garlic-producing heartland of Jinxiang, wholesale market prices are said to have surged 286 per cent since March

Analysis

Dubai World and properties built on sand

The state-owned conglomerate is seeking a six-month standstill on $60bn of debts, raising the prospect it may sell assets

• Funds relieved at Sir David Walker’s line

• Drop in trades shock at LSE

You can be poor and not overdrawn, you know

Why do we expect to borrow money from banks without asking?

QinetiQ takes stand against possible losses

In America, which accounts for half of sales, QinetiQ says that its military products division is being squeezed

Law  

Victims turned away because of legal aid squeeze

Lawyers are turning away vulnerable clients because they have exhausted caps on legal aid spending

Watchdog ticks PM off for terrorism comments

Lord Carlile, independent reviewer of terror laws, says premature statements are ‘unwelcome distraction’ for police

• Anti-terror watchdog attacks intercept evidence

• Should phone-tap evidence be allowed in court?

Straight couple aim to form a civil partnership

Tom Freeman and Katherine Doyle want the same rights as a husband and wife but not in an institution closed to gays

Money  

Q&A - shock bank ruling

We explain how the shock verdict from the Supreme Court affects you

• Comment: decision is bad for consumers and competition

• Banks win legal battle on overdraft charges

Wealthy dump pensions for high-risk schemes

Venture capital trusts set to become saving plan of choice when the government restricts tax relief on pensions from next year

• Can experts really boost my income?

• Ways to rest easier in retirement

Five tricks banks use to cut savings

Savers are seeing returns eroded by rising inflation while banks are using sneaky methods to reduce rates still further

business travel  

Gulf Air could cost Rolls-Royce $1.5bn

The Bahrain-based airline is to renegotiate contracts with suppliers in attempt to save $2.65 billion over five years

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

Bmi revamps Diamond Club frequent flyer scheme

Airline adds family membership and unveils new rules for complimentary upgrades