The International Monetary Fund has called on the UK government to take more action to boost the economy, which it warns is "still a long way from a strong and sustainable recovery".

Energy giant SSE today warned of higher bills ahead as it posted a 27.5pc rise in profits to �410m for energy supply business. The company, which raised electricity and gas prices by an average 9pc in October, said: "Unless there is a sustained reduction in ...

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 ...

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.

Lost tax revenue from money salted away offshore is costing governments more than $150bn (�99bn) a year, Oxfam has found - enough to eliminate extreme poverty across the globe twice over.

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.

Homeserve's shares jumped more than 10 per cent as the company revealed a smaller than anticipated �6m provision for legal costs and fines it is expected to incur for mis-selling home repairs insurance.

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.

Full consent has been given for a 40MW farm off the north-west coast of Lewis - enough to power nearly 30,000 homes. Wave energy firm Aquamarine Power said it would begin installing its Oyster devices in the next few years, once grid infrastructure is put in ...