UK Business News

Sliding service sales spark double-dip fears

Britain’s service-sector companies, regarded as engine room of the economy, report unexpected drop in sales

RBS relaxes loan terms for small businesses

CBI welcomes move after bank responds to criticism of the credit difficulties of Britain's recession-hit companies

• Get ready for a bumpy ride

• The lending paradox that prolongs recession

Surge in TV sales boosts John Lewis

Sales were up 22 per cent on last year, with demand for electronics helping to stimulate the pre-Christmas recovery

M&B needs boss with bar past

Majority shareholder blocks appointment of chairman because he does not have sufficient experience in pubs industry

World Business News

China to be world's biggest gold market

Analysts predict that already high prices of the precious metal will soar as more buyers flock to this perceived haven

• A tale of two countries

• India’s $6.7bn taste for gold sends price soaring

Spain turns down the air conditioning

Maximum heating and minimum cooling temperatures have been set for public buildings in attempt to limit power usage

BP battles Exxon over Ghana oilfield

British oil giant and American rival Exxon Mobil square up for battle over £2.4bn stake in oilfield off the coast of Ghana

UK company to help India harness tidal energy

Atlantis Resources forges deal with state of Gujarat to establish feasibility of power projects

Analysis

Council chief executives offer great value

Town hall bosses run complex organisations and hundreds of services yet are paid less than private sector counterparts

Dubai's debt crisis is a lesson to us all

If the overborrowed emirate state can flirt with bankruptcy, then why not overborrowed Ireland, Greece, Iceland - and Britain?

The end of the world will hit your turnover

How can it be a bad business decision long term to take better care of our planet and be more mindful of its resources?

Law  

Doctor to argue freedom of speech defence

A heart doctor being sued for criticising a US company’s research says scientists must be free to challenge such work

Polanksi on bail as Swiss consider extradition

Switzerland's top criminal court grants request by director, facing child sex charges, to be released on £2.7m bail

• US submits Polanski extradition request

• Swiss tipped off US over Polanski, e-mails show

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  

Offshore tax amnesty extended into new year

Savers will have an extra five weeks to declare offshore accounts before the "new disclosure opportunity" ends

New deal for "near-prime" borrowers

One of the biggest "sub-prime" lenders returns after two years with deal aimed at the customers with a less than perfect credit history

• Popular mortgage deals fall below 5 per cent

• Developer discounts spark buy-to-let spree

Anthony Bolton to manage new China fund

The former manager of Fidelity Special Situations is returning to fund management

business travel  

How to bag the best seat on the plane and other cool tools

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

Bmi revamps Diamond Club frequent flyer scheme

Airline adds family membership and unveils new rules for complimentary upgrades