As the power supplier announced a 5.6pc rise in annual profits to �1.4bn, Ian Marchant lashed out at critics in Westminster and said that the company suffered because of the �big numbers� in its results.

The US Federal Reserve heralded the beginning of the end for its third round of quantitative easing as Ben Bernanke said it could slow the $85bn-a-month pace of asset purchases �in the next few meetings� if the labour market is strong.

Nationwide has increased its share of the British mortgage market to a record level, helped by government-funded programmes to support housebuyers, such as the Bank of England's Funding for Lending Scheme.

The new boss charged with turning around Britvic has wasted no time wielding the axe at the drinks maker. Simon Litherland, who took over from predecessor Paul Moody 12 weeks ago, announced plans to shut two factories, a warehouse, ditch some of its ...

The pound slammed into reverse on Wednesday as a sharp fall in high street sales dented hopes Britain is on the road to a steady recovery.