Back at the Treasury, David Lipton is explaining to journalists why the government should bring forward more infrastructure spending to help the economy.

Furious consumer groups demanded an immediate cut in energy bills today after one of Britain's biggest suppliers revealed a 28 per cent profit surge boosted by the past year's cold weather.

As unsettled weather and rising food prices put off shoppers, retail sales volumes including fuel sank 1.3pc month-on-month, confounding economists' forecasts for flat sales.

The government needs a "clear strategy" to privatise Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday, as the two bailed-out banks attempted to reassure the City that they would not need to tap investors ...

Speaking at Google's Big Tent conference in Hertfordshire, Mr Miliband claimed that major businesses with low tax bills - such as Google, Apple, Amazon and Starbucks - shared a culture of irresponsibility with the banks that caused the global financial crisis.

International aid agency Oxfam has published a new report suggesting money stashed largely in EU nations could eliminate world poverty twice over.

Britain's biggest building society posted a 3.4pc rise in pre-tax profits to �210m for the year to April 2013, from �203m last year.

Sony admitted today it could bow to pressure for a break-up of the Japanese electronics giant. Kazuo Hirai, chief executive of the ailing electronics firm, said the board would give �thorough consideration� to a call from billionaire hedge fund manager Dan ...

By Alistair Smout. LONDON | Wed May 22, 2013 12:01pm BST. LONDON (Reuters) - FTSE 100 weakened early on Wednesday after hitting 13-year highs the previous session, as investors took profits in outperforming sectors such as technology and luxury.

THE SCOTTISH Government today gave the green light for the world's largest wave power scheme to be developed in the stormy seas off the coast off Lewis.