The mutual needs to raise as much as �1.8bn to repair its bank's balance sheet and said on Friday that it was �undertaking an extensive review� of the business.

One in six major government projects are in need of �urgent remedial action�, including flagship policies such as its Universal Credit welfare reform, the HS2 rail line and the rollout of high-speed broadband.

Angry shareholders of HSBC on Friday bombarded the group's board with barrage of accusations ranging from financing Mexican drug cartels to supporting tax havens, slashing jobs and mis-selling products.

Suffolk's growing reputation as the �green coast� has received a major shot in the arm after officials approved a 140 turbine offshore wind farm.

Households paid off �241m more mortgage debt than they borrowed in an effort to get on top of their debts. Before May last year, net lending had never been negative since the BBA started collecting the data in 1997.

The euro zone has been reminded lately that although investors are showing renewed confidence in its financial markets that its crisis is still simmering below the surface.

Activity in the vital services sector increased, according to the latest Markit PMI survey for April giving the clearest indication yet that the economy is improving.

With the cold weather continuing to increase demand for gas and a lack of investment meaning there is little storage capacity UK gas reserves are at a critical level.

DMGT reported a 30 per cent rise in half-year profit and raised its dividend, amid strong growth in its events business and the performance of MailOnline.

Booker, Britain's biggest cash and carry wholesaler, lifted pre-tax profit by 13 per cent last year, as sales reached �4bn for the first time.