UK Business News

Brown backtracks on bank tax

PM insists he was merely trying to open debate on taxation of bank trades, following US Treasury Secretary's dismissal

Radioactive waste to be put in £18bn hole

Proposals for energy projects, such as nuclear power stations and radioactive storage, will bypass council planners

• Bulldozing a path through democracy

• Planning chief gets £184k for passing the buck

Brokers unite over claims of bullying banks

Stockbrokers allege RBS and Lloyds are forcing companies in debt to them to use their investment banking services

Peter Kenyon joins Beckham talent agency

The former Chelsea and Manchester United head will hunt out 'new opportunities for the famous agency overseas

World Business News

Axa Asia Pacific rejects $11bn bid from parent

Axa is launching a €2 billion rights issue to fund acquisitions after it makes an initial offer for its subsidiary

Aer Lingus to make more cuts as sales fall 9.7%

The Irish airline, in the midst of negotiations to axe 676 workers, says trading conditions are still 'challenging'

• Time for Aer Lingus to jettison its passengers

• Cost-cutting Aer Lingus announce 676 job losses

Reliance considers bid for LyondellBasell

The Indian conglomerate is mulling over making an offer for the US arm of the bankrupt petrochemicals group

GM executives fly in to set Vauxhall’s future

American delegation will meet ministers to discuss the future of Vauxhall's 4,500 British workers in Luton and Cheshire

Analysis

Which will come top: paper or gold?

Printing presses have been pumping out dollars and pounds. Little wonder many are seeking a more trusty store of value

• William Rees-Mogg

Flawed theory has brought disastrous results

Financial workers are a danger — they shape the debate about capitalism and reform but ignore economic theory

Listen to the bosses’ optimism

When three chief executives call an end to the recession — even though it has not officially ended — we should take heart

Law  

Caution for assault ‘will lead to a murder’

Judges are concerned that thousands of cautions are being handed out for violent assaults that should come before courts

Setback for Lehman creditors as court blocks PwC plan

Court of Appeal says radical plan designed to speed up the Lehman Brothers administration is unacceptable under UK insolvency law

Former MEP facing jail for £30,000 expenses fraud

Tom Wise admitted spending his secretarial expenses allowance on a new car and fine wines while with Ukip

Money  

Where will the stock market be at the end of 2010?

We ask the experts for their predictions and stock and fund tips for the next 12 months

• Funds that aim to put your finances on the right track

• Stars pilloried in ‘dog funds’ list

Retirement home landlords are accused of profiteering

Pensioners are fighting back and lobbying Parliament with concerns over excessive charges

• Residents urged to fight back against retirement home charges

• Angry leaseholders count mounting cost of repairs

Home work can be a nice little earner

From hosting Avon ‘parties’ to trading online, there are many ways to boost your cashflow from the comfort of home

business travel  

The world's oddest airport lounges

Lounges for dogs and children sound bizarre but not as odd as Finnair's new facility

SkyTeam, Alitalia open new terminal facilities

Alliance gets common check-in at Heathrow while Italian carrier gets a dedicated terminal in Rome

10 rules of business travel etiquette

Business travellers forced to fly in economy might need to be re-educated in acceptable on-board behaviour

• Business airfares to rise in 2010

• Profile: Luxury car boss Clive Sutton