The call to �bring forward planned capital investment where possible� was the centrepiece of the IMF's annual update on the state of the UK economy, and the culmination of a month-long row between the Chancellor and the Bretton Woods institution.

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.

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 ...

LONDON - British retail sales slid unexpectedly last month amid cold spring weather, official data showed on Wednesday. Retail sales sank by 1.3 percent in April from March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced in a statement.

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.

Nationwide, Britain's biggest building society, grabbed its biggest ever share of the mortgage market last year and saw its profits jump strongly as it continued to attract customers across from discredited high street banks.

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 Government's failure to set out its expectations for a flagship home energy efficiency programme is unacceptable, MPs warn.

A poll of 404 businesses found that growth in output was broadly flat over the three months to May, again disappointing expectations for a more pronounced recovery.