UK Business News

M&S admits losing battle for Middle England

M&S has acknowledged that it had been eclipsed by John Lewis and Waitrose, which enjoyed a record Christmas

FSA takes a hard line with iSoft four

The founder and three former directors of the company are being prosecuted for allegedly misleading the stock market

• FSA brings criminal case against ex-iSoft directors

• ISoft battle intensifies as Australians return

Cadbury and Hershey in more talks over merger

Companies hold further talks about the possibility of a merger to derail Kraft's £10.4bn hostile bid for Cadbury

Victoria Line numbers escalate Tube dispute

London Underground must explain budget for renewal of line to Public Private Partnership Arbiter

World Business News

Inquiry into ‘Rio Tinto Four’ nears end

Chinese police are poised to conclude their investigation into four executives of the Anglo-Australian mining group

US unemployment shrinks on services gain

American companies cut the fewest jobs in December since March 2008, underlining the country's exit from recession

• Recovery hopes rise on Britain's services surge

• American manufacturing makes strides

China sued for ‘stealing’ software program

US firm seeks $2.2 billion in damages from Beijing for allegedly stealing its technology in order to increase censorship

• China calls for 'Great Wall' to guard unity

• Obama in China criticises internet censorship

Japan’s veteran Finance Minister quits

Resignation of Hirohisa Fujii is blamed on pressure of drafting 2010 budget as Deputy PM Naoto Kan is named as successor

Analysis

Sales surge may be a false dawn

So now we know. John Lewis’s dazzling performance over Christmas was down to John Lewis, not the retailing weather

• Stern lesson for Rio man

• Sweet news cheers Kraft

It’s not the economy – and voters aren’t stupid

Everyone understands that you cannot go on borrowing for ever. Gordon Brown must face reality or lose the election

Tempus: Glanbia ... Cape ... Games Workshop

Glanbia will return to growth ... Cape gambles Down Under ... Games Workshop boosts margins

Law  

UK may block Israeli war crimes warrants

Amendment to British law planned to stop pro-Palestinian activists serving Israeli visitors with war crimes warrants

Shell is fined over accident at oil refinery

Health and Safety Executive levies penalties totalling £283,000 on oil giant and two contractors over refinery accident

Secret courts to be opened to media

Court of Public Protection, which deals with the vulnerable, attempts to restore public confidence after hundreds of complaints

Money  

Banks dominate best-buy tables as Building Societies raise rates

Alliance & Leicester crowned most competitive lender, as seperate figures show mutuals are increasing SVRs

• Mortgage rates set to increase this year

• Mortgage demand at new heights

How to complain about goods or services

If you air your grievances effectively, you need never feel short-changed. Follow our easy five-step guide

• Gain redress from high street bullies

• Turn to Troubleshooter

Times Money's ten stock tips for 2010

Here are the shares to follow if the pound takes a pounding

business travel  

Profile: Telecoms boss Ian Carr

The MD of Team Simoco explains why he always packs his pyjamas and discusses the company's Beijing sickbed

Stop moaning about travel disruption, it's Christmas

Business travellers have faced trying times in the past two weeks but many of the problems are beyond the control of the airlines and rail companies

How business travellers take their holidays

With Christmas upon us, we look at how frequent business travellers approach leisure travel