More festivals face cancellation without government aid

Over a quarter of 2021's music festivals have been scrapped but organisers say others are under threat.

India Covid: Why Indian bosses overseas are sending aid

Why overseas Indian bosses are sending oxygen and medical supplies to Covid-stricken India.

'Urban flight' raises house prices in villages

Property values in less densely-populated areas have risen faster than elsewhere, the Resolution Foundation says.

Covid: Teletext Holidays faces court over unpaid refunds

The competition watchdog says the firm has not paid £7m in refunds for holidays cancelled during the pandemic.

Eurozone suffers double-dip recession as pandemic impact continues

Activity in the bloc has been hit by a renewed surge in infections this year and Covid-related restrictions.

Banks fail in bid to share cost of refunding scam victims

Negotiations between banks to create a permanent, central pot of money to refund scam victims have collapsed.

Covid: UK clubbers set to return to Liverpool for trial night

A club in Liverpool opens its dance floor for a trial event with no social distancing or masks.

Apple charged over 'anti-competitive' app polices

The tech giant faces a huge fine and may be forced to make changes to the App Store.

Co-op to scrap plastic 'bags for life'

The supermarket follows Morrisons in announcing it will ditch reusable plastic shopping bags.

UK housing market 'on the boil' as prices rise

UK house prices rose by 7.1% compared with a year ago, the Nationwide says, amid high demand from buyers.

EasyJet says 'clock is ticking' to open up air travel

The airline's boss says research indicates allowing mass travel to much of Europe poses little risk.

Twisted Sister awarded $1.2m from Clive Palmer over copyright claim

Australian billionaire Clive Palmer used a version of We're Not Gonna Take It when he ran for parliament.

Barclays boss predicts biggest economic boom since 1948

Jes Staley gives his upbeat assessment on the day Barclays reveals profits have more than doubled.

Giants Tencent, Bytedance among companies reined in by China

Beijing for years took a hands off approach towards tech firms, but it is now stepping up scrutiny.

Why virtual away days may be here to stay

Firms have been holding away days online to boost morale and team sprit during the pandemic.

Restaurants struggle to find staff ahead of reopening

Some venues may have to limit their opening hours after more than one in ten hospitality workers left the sector.

One in seven shops lie empty after lockdown

Research suggests the number of shop vacancies has risen again, with the North of England worse hit.

Amazon hopes pandemic habits stick after profits triple

The tech giant may be entering a "golden age" as the pandemic boosts its range of businesses.

UK and Norway fail to reach fishing deal

Hundreds of crew members will be out of work after losing access to a £32m market, ministers are warned.

McDonald's sales are back above pre-Covid levels

The fast food giant saw sales and profits recover strongly in the first three months of the year.

Ryanair told to compensate passengers over strike cancellations

The airline had said strike actions were "extraordinary circumstances", so it did not have to pay compensation.

US economy accelerates as recovery continues

The economy grew strongly in the first quarter of 2021 helped by heavy government spending on Covid aid.

Grenfell: Bid to shield residents from cladding costs fails

Campaigners say "a generation of homeowners" face financial ruin after government wins Commons vote.

BT confirms talks over the future of its sports business

The telecoms giant is in "early discussions" with a number of potential partners.

NatWest says fewer customers defaulting on loans despite Covid

Fewer customers than expected are defaulting due to the pandemic, say NatWest Group and Standard Chartered.

Heathrow Airport's losses deepen as Covid impact continues

The UK's biggest airport says it has now lost £2.4bn since the start of the pandemic.

Samsung: Handsets push profits to pre-pandemic highs

Samsung Electronics strong profits were dented by disappointing results for its chips business.

Housing: 'Trying to buy in this market is painful'

UK property transactions in March 2021 were at their highest level since records began in 2005, according to the HMRC.

eBay launches new trainer authentication scheme

A new authentication scheme is launching in the UK to help spot counterfeit trainers.

CEO Secrets: Why crying can help you succeed in business

Tina Chen explains how it can be tough starting a business on your own in a new country.

Apple profits double as it squares up to Facebook

Tech rivals both enjoy bumper profits but Apple's latest move could dent Facebook's future sales.

Liverpool hosts 'pioneering' mask-free business conference

Liverpool hosts the UK's first "normal" business conference, with no obligatory social distancing.

Oxford Mini production to halt due to chip shortage

Production at the company's Oxford plant will be suspended for three working days.

Asda: George brand to sell second-hand clothing in shops

The supermarket says the move will stop thousands of tonnes of clothes going to landfill every year.

Nestle to cut almost 600 jobs and shut Newcastle factory

The global food company wants to shut its Newcastle site and focus production in York and Halifax.

Reckitt: More sex, fewer colds drive sales at Durex-maker

Consumer goods giant Reckitt saw a rise in sales of its condoms in countries where lockdowns eased.

Toyoda Gosei: Hundreds of jobs at risk at car parts plant

Toyoda Gosei has plants at Swansea and Rotherham but a fall in demand is forcing it to leave the UK.

Sainsbury's: Cost of Covid has been high

While full-year sales jumped 8% the supermarket giant made a loss due to pandemic costs.

Samsung heirs to pay record inheritance tax

The Lee family will pay more than $10bn, one of the largest ever inheritance tax bills.

Australia warns Google and Apple over app stores

Australia's regulator wants the two tech giants to open up their app stores to more competition.

Demand high as cruises gear up for a restart

Cruises around England can resume in May, and operator Fred Olsen says it's already sold two thirds of its capacity.

Electric cars: What will happen to all the dead batteries?

In the next 10 years millions of old electric car batteries will need to be recycled or discarded.

Business leaders set out plan for post-Covid recovery

A new relationship between business and government could boost economic growth, says Covid Recovery Commission.

'This bank has changed people's lives'

Eight locations across the UK are testing ideas aimed at ensuring future access to cash for those who need it.

Google owner sees record profits as lockdown boom continues

Alphabet posted record first-quarter profits as people working from home used more of its services.

Lotus to launch last pure petrol sports car

The Emira will be the carmaker's last conventionally powered model, as it prepares for an all-electric future.

CC Clarke: The mum-shaming on social media is mind-blowing

Beauty influencer CC Clarke on dealing with "mum-shaming" from trolls on her social media accounts.

BA hopes wealthy tourists can plug corporate hole

Airline boss Sean Doyle says the leisure sector will be a buffer against weak business travel.

Post Office scandal: Government rejects call to extend inquiry

Labour calls to widen remit of inquiry rebuffed by in interests of swift conclusion.

Crocs sales soar in fashion comeback

The divisive footwear company's sales reached a record $460m in its first quarter.

Heathrow loses battle to increase airport charges

Regulator says a request to recover £2.6bn lost through Covid is 'not in the interest of consumers'.

City of London to convert offices into homes in post-Covid revamp

The City of London Corporation set out plans on Tuesday to create 1,500 new residential units by 2030.

Vegan butchers: Could one be opening on your high street?

Is the arrival of vegan butchers on high streets the logical next step in the fake meat trend?

Whitbread: Premier Inn owner braces for strong 'staycation' demand

Whitbread, which also owns Beefeater, expects a summer bounce as Covid restrictions ease on 17 May.

HSBC rebounds with 79% surge in quarterly profit

It's a major turnaround for the lender, which saw profits fall last year due to Covid-19.

Tesla: Bitcoin sales, environmental credits boost profits

But the carmaker's profits were dented by a $299m payment to Tesla boss Elon Musk.

The salmon you buy in the future may be farmed on land

A giant fish farm in Florida is rearing salmon for the US market in a huge indoor facility.

Book sales surge in 2020 as UK 'rediscovers love of reading'

Sales of fiction, non-fiction and audio books all jumped last year, the industry body says.

Summer holiday demand shifts to autumn amid travel uncertainty

Thomas Cook and Kuoni see autumn bookings surge as travellers defer summer breaks due to travel uncertainty.

Ex-Serco bosses cleared after fraud case collapses

The Serious Fraud Office drops a prosecution over an alleged scandal involving tagging criminals.

Mozambique gas project: Total halts work after Palma attacks

Total's $20bn (£14.6bn) gas liquification plant is the largest foreign investment in Africa.

Facebook and Google 'failed to remove scam adverts'

A Which? investigation indicates fraudulent content was left online even after it had been reported.

Standard Life Aberdeen ditches vowels in rebrand

The firm says the change will make its brand more "dynamic", but some social media users do not agree.

UK economy 'set to grow at fastest rate on record'

Experts forecast faster growth because of the vaccine rollout and easing of lockdown restrictions.

Facebook v Apple: The ad tracking row heats up

Why is there is a dispute between the two tech giants and does it matter to you?

Singapore and Hong Kong to open travel bubble

This will be the second major air route in the region to open after Australia and New Zealand.

Catalytic converters: Demand for precious metals drives surge in thefts

There has been a surge in offences as thieves cash in on the precious metals they contain.

Cladding victims ‘let down by the system’

Bassel lost his flat in the war in Syria and is now at risk of losing everything again, as a victim of flammable cladding.

Working abroad: 'The pandemic just made it harder'

With global travel restrictions, Covid has had a huge impact on the lives of those working abroad.

Post office scandal: Ex-boss quits director role after convictions quashed

Paula Vennells to leave her role at Dunelm days after 39 postmasters saw their convictions quashed.

Older workers 'see biggest jobs fall since 1980s'

There were 109,000 more jobless older workers between December and February than a year ago, a report says.

Amazon must let workers join unions 'without fear'

The union Unite issues an appeal to the online shopping giant over its UK and Ireland operations.

Treasury snubbing 'mortgage prisoners', say MPs

Some 250,000 homeowners are trapped because the Treasury sold their mortgages to unregulated firms.

Sainsbury's ex-boss buys into grocery app market

Justin King has made a "substantial" investment in the owner of the Snappy Shopper app, the firm says.

Alber Elbaz: Fashion designer dies in Paris aged 59

He worked at some of France's best-known fashion houses and had recently launched his own label.

Social media boycott: Premier League clubs join four-day move to tackle abuse

Premier League, EFL and WSL clubs join in a four-day boycott of social media platforms in an effort to combat abuse and discrimination.

FirstGroup sells US bus divisions for £3.3bn

The move comes more than a year after the transport giant first announced plans to quit North America.

Can Western brands recover from consumer backlash in China?

Some foreign companies are facing a boycott in China - they are not the first and won't be the last.

Ghana basks in Twitter’s surprise choice as Africa HQ

Start-ups in the West African nation celebrate as others ponder why their countries were snubbed.

Cisco says computer chip shortage to last six months

The semiconductor shortage is affecting firms from carmakers to smartphone manufacturers.

Vebitcoin: Turkey arrests four people after cryptocurrency collapses

Four people have been arrested hours after Vebitcoin abruptly announced it was ceasing operations.

European Super League: Clubs 'cannot leave', says Real Madrid president Florentino Perez

The 12 clubs that agreed to join a new European Super League have "binding contracts" and "cannot leave", says Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Shopping in 10 minutes: The new supermarket battleground

A raft of app-based delivery systems now promise to bring you your groceries almost instantly.

Brexit: UK and Australia agree 'vast majority' of trade deal

A full trade agreement in principle should be agreed between the UK and Australia by June

Extinction Rebellion: Jury acquits protesters despite judge's direction

Six activists are acquitted of causing criminal damage despite a judge saying they had "no defence".

Post Office worker Tracy Felstead 'over the moon' to clear name

Tracy Felstead was jailed when she was just 19 after being wrongly accused of stealing over £11,000.

Convicted Post Office workers have names cleared

Judges quash convictions of 39 former postmasters after the UK's most widespread miscarriage of justice.

Postmaster's widow: 'I will never forgive them'

The convictions of 39 Post Office branch managers have been overturned, but for one family it is too little, too late.

Covid costs push government borrowing to highest since WW2

The government borrowed £303bn in the year to March, reflecting the cost of measures to support the economy.

Clothes sales boosted UK retail ahead of reopening

The impending relaxation of restrictions prompted an increase in clothing sales during March.

US President Joe Biden to 'propose hiking tax on rich'

The plan would increase US capital gains taxes and the top marginal income tax rate.

Coronavirus: Tokyo Motor Show cancelled for first time in 67 years

The cancellation comes just three months before the Tokyo Olympics is due to go ahead.

Tesla's Autopilot 'tricked' to operate without driver

A Model Y made multiple trips on a test track without a human in the driver's seat, engineers found.

Coffee waste: Companies offer up new solutions

A new crop of coffee companies have solutions to cut waste in their industry.

Covid firm 'sorry' for negative test results error

001Doctor sent certificates showing a negative Covid result to people who did not take a test.

Post Office scandal: Postmasters await Appeal Court ruling

A group of 42 people hope their convictions for stealing money from the Post Office will be quashed.

Charities sound alarm over buy-now-pay-later debt

The Citizens Advice network says people often regret using the increasingly popular payments method.

Covid: Final India flight before 'red list' travel ban arrives in UK

It comes as a further 55 cases of the so-called India coronavirus variant are reported in the UK.

Stranded sailor allowed to leave abandoned ship after four years

Mohammed Aisha had been living on a ship marooned off Egypt's Red Sea coast for four years.

Foxtons to review boss's pay after shareholder revolt

A significant number of shareholders voted against chief executive Nick Budden's pay package.

Coronavirus: 'We want to get home, but there aren't any tickets'

Demand for flights from India to the UK has soared as travellers rush to beat Friday's quarantine deadline.

Greensill: Bank of England releases emails amid Cameron lobbying row

The former prime minister's work for the now-failed finance firm is the subject of several inquiries.

Jaguar Land Rover to suspend output due to chip shortage

Britain's biggest carmaker to suspend output at two factories because of global semiconductor shortage.

Sports Direct's Mike Ashley told to reinstate Jenners signs in Edinburgh

The billionaire has three months from when an enforcement notice comes into effect to reinstate the sign.

Extinction Rebellion activists smash windows at Canary Wharf HSBC

The activists say they targeted HSBC because the bank is contributing to the climate crisis.

Sir James Dyson: From barrows to billions

One of the most high-profile businessmen in favour of Brexit, Sir James Dyson's biggest idea started with cardboard and sticky tape.

Greensill lender Credit Suisse suffers 'unacceptable' loss

Credit Suisse raises $2bn to shore up its finances as regulators open another probe into the Swiss bank.

E.On compensates customers after Christmas blunder

The energy firm will pay more than £650,000 after taking payments on Christmas Eve instead of January.

Billionaire Sir James Dyson moves residency back to the UK

Sir James faced criticism in 2019 over relocating his company's global headquarters to Singapore.

Australia provokes China anger over scrapped deals

Beijing described the move to tear up the Belt and Road deals as "unreasonable and provocative".

Tata 'sues Liberty Steel over unpaid debts'

It claims Liberty owes debts from the acquisition of Tata's speciality steels business, reports say.

Employment: North and Midlands 'leading jobs recovery

Several areas now have more job vacancies than before the pandemic, a study finds.

Post Office scandal: What the Horizon saga is all about

The background to the case of sub-postmasters whose convictions were based on evidence from faulty IT.

Is this the end of line for the landline phone?

Four million homes have dropped their fixed line phones since 2000 a trend which may see a post-pandemic boost.

Italian hospital employee accused of skipping work for 15 years

The hospital worker in southern Italy earned €538,000 while not going into work, media say.

Climate change: Shipping industry calls for new global carbon tax

The global shipping industry wants governments to tax their carbon emissions as they try to tackle climate change

Heathrow refuses to allow extra flights from India

The airport tells the BBC that it turned down requests from airlines to operate additional flights.

Chanel loses EU court battle over Huawei logo

The EU General Court ruled that the differences between the firms' logos "are significant".

Reopening: Gym-goers rack up millions of workouts post-lockdown

The PureGym chain reported huge numbers of visits after restrictions eased in England.

House sales and prices see early spring surge

UK property transactions in March hit the highest monthly level since modern records began in 2005.

Daily Mail owner sues Google over search results

The owner of the MailOnline site alleges the search engine has hidden links to its coverage on certain topics.

Rising fuel costs drive UK inflation to 0.7 in March

The cost of living rose to 0.7% in March, from 0.4% in February, as fuel, transport and clothes prices increased.

TikTok sued for billions over use of children's data

The case is being brought on behalf of millions of children by England's former children's commissioner.

Netflix: Shares plunge as subscribers switch off

Netflix said the pandemic disrupted its production pipeline and has forecast fewer new subscribers.

Is the Australia-NZ travel bubble the way ahead?

Australia and New Zealand have quarantine-free travel, but will other countries follow their lead?

Labour: Save Liberty Steel before it goes bust

The government should step in to save thousands of steel supply chain jobs says Labour.

Shanghai Auto Show: Five electric car brands to look out for in China

Robin Brant talks through five companies showcasing electric vehicles at the Shanghai Auto Show.

Could electric tattoos be the next step in body art?

Researchers are experimenting with thin, flexible circuits that can be transferred to the skin.

European Super League: Manchester City withdraw and Chelsea prepare to follow

Manchester City withdraw from the European Super League (ESL) with Chelsea preparing to do so.

Apple event: AirTag, iPad and iMac lead line-up

Apple unveiled its version of a tile tracker to locate lost items, designed with privacy in mind.

Wedding industry 'ramping up expectations' for big day, says Bishop

The Bishop of London's call for smaller-scale weddings is criticised as "cruel" by the industry.

No new smart motorways without additional safety measures

Any motorway without a hard shoulder will need to have radar technology to detect stopped vehicles.

Super League files injunctions to stop club and player bans

European Super League wants to stop Fifa and Uefa banning clubs or players from future competitions.

Major property fund to unlock investors' money

M&G's £2bn UK commercial property fund will resume in May, having been suspended since December 2019.

Asda takeover 'could lead to higher petrol prices'

Prices could rise in some parts of the UK after the supermarket's takeover, the competition watchdog says.

Aldi brings back Cuthbert the Caterpillar cake for charity

Aldi's controversial cake is the subject of legal action by M&S, which alleges copyright infringement.

UK jobs market 'remains subdued'

The unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in the three months to February, official figures show.

Primark sees sales surge as lockdown relaxed

The retailer says the number of people in its stores in England and Wales is back to pre-pandemic levels.

Car insurance sees biggest price drop in six years

The average cost of car insurance has fallen by £87 in 12 months, according to new data.

How product placements may soon be added to classic films

Getting consumer goods in shot is big business for movies and TV series, and items can now be added digitally.

Tesco fined £7.56m for selling out-of-date food in Birmingham

Offending items were found at three stores in Birmingham between 2016 and 2017.

London Capital and Finance: Treasury expects £120m compensation bill

The government says an estimated 8,800 bondholders of the collapsed scheme will receive a share of the money.

UK government intervenes in Nvidia takeover of chip designer Arm

The government is to examine Nvidia's planned purchase of the UK firm on national security grounds.

Shoppers making 'revenge purchases' flock back to High Street

Shoppers flocked back to the High Street last week to treat themselves after non-essential stores reopened.

Bank of England to consider digital money plan

The Bank and the Treasury set up a taskforce to examine how a central bank digital currency would work.

HSBC executives to hot-desk as private offices go

The shake-up at the banking giant's London HQ comes as it pursues plans to shrink office space by 40%.

Australia opens travel bubble with New Zealand

The world's first major travel bubble set up in the Covid pandemic allows quarantine-free visits.

Why are football's biggest clubs starting new league?

Europe's biggest football clubs have suffered during the Covid pandemic and seek financial stability.

Job centre workers 'feel unsafe returning to work'

A union representing job centre staff says three in five feel unsafe interacting with the public.

Low-deposit mortgage scheme is launched

First-time buyers will get cheaper deals if they can stretch to a bigger deposit, analysts say.

Facebook: Our staff can carry on working from home after Covid

The US technology giant tells the BBC that remote working after the pandemic is "the future".

Priti Patel: Facebook encryption plan ‘must not not hamper child protection’

The Home Secretary will deliver a speech critical of Facebook's privacy plan for its apps.

Leon: Billionaire Issa brothers buy fast food chain

The Issa brothers have bought the British fast food chain Leon, which has more than 70 sites.

Charles Geschke: Adobe co-founder who helped develop the PDF dies

Charles Geschke set up Adobe in 1982, giving the world the ubiquitous PDF technology.

Reopening: Prime minister 'must stick to hospitality roadmap'

Leaders of the UK's biggest hospitality firms sign an open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

How cancer put me off joining Amazon union

Carla Jonson's story helps explain how Amazon won last week's union vote in Alabama.

Regulator warns against use of Peloton treadmill

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission says it is aware of 39 incidents involving the machine.

Reopening verdict: 'It was 'buzzing, chaotic and crazy'

Business owners tell how their first week of trading has gone after lockdown rules eased in England and Wales.

Archegos collapse costs Morgan Stanley $911m

US investment bank Morgan Stanley's lending to the collapsed hedge fund cost it nearly $1bn.

Ocado in self-driving vans push with £10m stake in Oxbotica

The online grocery retailer has teamed up with Oxford self-driving firm Oxbotica.

Colin the Caterpillar cake row: Judge Rinder gives his verdict

Marks & Spencer has begun legal action against Aldi, arguing the retailer's Cuthbert the Caterpillar cake infringes its Colin the Caterpillar trademark.

Hammerson: Shopping centre giant slashes rents in revival bid

Hammerson, whose centres include the Bullring and Brent Cross, is "resetting rents to more affordable levels".

Gnome shortage: Lockdown and Suez canal blockage blamed

A garden centre "boom" coupled with supply chain delays are making the ornaments hard to come by.

Brexit: Euro MPs' vote bolsters EU-UK trade deal

The key Brexit trade deal now stands a better chance of being ratified in Brussels.

China's economy grows 18.3% in post-Covid comeback

The record figures for the first quarter of the year are skewed due to last year's nationwide lockdown

Citigroup to exit consumer banking in 13 markets

The US banking group will shut down its retail operations in countries including China and India.

'We realised that by joining together we could make a difference'

The cooperative firms who say their business model made them more resilient to the pandemic.

TUI says summer holiday season can be saved

The boss of Europe's biggest holiday company thinks successful vaccine programmes can prevent another washout.

Amazon's Bezos: Union defeat does not bring 'comfort'

Jeff Bezos said in his shareholder letter that Amazon must 'do a better job for our employees'.

Benefit Cosmetics backtracks over NHS staff refusal

The brand saw a social media backlash after a nurse claimed staff were being turned away for beauty treatments.

Sanjeev Gupta's firm says it did nothing wrong over Covid loans

The company behind the UK's Liberty Steel says it did nothing wrong when seeking government funds.

M&S begins legal action against Aldi over Colin the Caterpillar cake

A High Court claim by the retailer argues its rival's Cuthbert the Caterpillar infringes its trademark.

Deliveroo sees orders and sales more than double in first quarter

The food delivery firm says it cannot tell how much the recent growth is due to the impact of lockdown.

US poised to sanction Russia for cyber-attacks

The Biden administration may place sanctions on more than 30 Russian entities as soon as Thursday.

The woman building HSBC's 3,000 roaming banker army

The bank has already recruited hundreds for an ambitious venture in China as it pivots towards Asia.

Matchbox cars get green makeover in eco drive

The toymaker is launching new toy cars based on electric models and making some from recycled materials.

'I've no idea when I'll be told what shifts I have'

Two-fifths of UK workers in full or part-time employment are given short notice of their work patterns.

Charity shops tell donators: 'Think before giving'

Charity retailers ask givers to book before just turning up with donations as people flock back.

Is Alibaba's fate a warning to China’s tech giants?

Alibaba’s run-in with Chinese regulators has made things tense for its other technology giants.

CEO Secrets: 'Taking risks is how we found our edge'

Public relations firm boss George James thought clients would be put off by his youth but turned his weakness into a strength.

Crypto firm Coinbase valued at more than oil giant BP

Coinbase, which runs a leading trading platform for Bitcoin, hits nearly $100bn in stock market listing.

Asda to axe 1,200 bakery jobs as shoppers shun loaves

The supermarket giant says customers have swapped traditional loaves for speciality breads and wraps.

Sainsbury's recalls Medjool dates over Hepatitis A fears

The supermarket is recalling its 'Taste the Difference' Medjool dates amid fears they are contaminated.

Bernie Madoff: Disgraced financier dies in prison

Bernie Madoff was found to have conned investors out of billions of dollars in a Ponzi scheme.

Hundreds of British Gas staff set to reject new contracts

Hundreds of British Gas staff are set to reject new contracts that they say offer inferior terms.

Foxtons faces investor backlash over boss's bonus

The estate agency is rewarding Nic Budden despite taking £7m in Covid support from the state.

Heathrow says airport queues are becoming 'untenable'

The airport says some travellers are facing waits of up to six hours.

James Dyson says Brexit has given him 'freedom'

Sir James Dyson defends moving his firm's headquarters to Singapore and says Dyson is a British firm.

Tesco counts cost of Covid trading as profits drop

The UK's largest supermarket saw full-year sales soar but the pandemic hit its bottom line.

Easyjet marks losses but ready for summer 'ramp up'

The airline said it expects a pre-tax loss between £690-730m in the six months to 31 March.

Toshiba president steps down amid $20bn buyout bid

Nobuaki Kurumatani is leaving after the firm received an offer from his former employer, CVC.

NZ to launch world-first climate change rules

New Zealand is bringing in a law to force its financial firms to report on climate-related risks.

Black youth unemployment 'hits 35% in pandemic'

Young black people three times more likely to be out of work than white peers, new research shows.

Newquay is hottest sellers' market, says Rightmove

Online property portal names Cornish surfing town as place where properties sell fastest.

The student loan bubble 'is going to burst'

Cancelling student debt was once a fringe idea in the US, but it's become increasingly mainstream.

'I put those goggles on and just fell in love'

Drones capable of 90mph are being raced in a league which supporters say is close to the big time.

Grab set for $40bn valuation in US share listing

The Singapore-based firm started as a ride-hailing company and has since expanded.

Liberty Steel: Kwarteng defends rejecting request for £170m bailout

The business secretary says the government had to ensure that any money provided would stay in the UK.

Denmark charges six from UK and US with cum-ex fraud

They are accused of defrauding the Danish treasury in a trading scam through a German bank.

Brexit prompts JD Sports to open Dublin warehouse

The firm's imports to GB now incur tariffs when they are distributed onward to its stores across Europe.

Greensill: Labour to press ministers over Cameron lobbying

The former prime minister has been criticised for lobbying on behalf of Greensill Capital.

Defence giant Babcock International to cut 1,000 jobs

The government contractor also expects a "significant" £1.7bn write-off as part of a company review.

Goldmans backs office life with Birmingham tech hub

The investment bank is creating a new Midlands outpost which will eventually employ up to 500 staff.

UK exports to EU rebound after January's slump

Despite the improvement, exports still remain below 2020 levels, the UK statistics body says.

Lockdown lifting in Liverpool: 'Light at the end of the tunnel'

Excitement, relief and cocktails flowed as bars and non-essential shops reopened in Liverpool.

Covid accelerates India's millionaire exodus

As Covid cases surge, India's wealthy lead global enquiries for citizenship and residency abroad.

China forces Jack Ma's Ant Group to restructure

The overhaul will force the Alibaba-backed group to become a financial holding firm.

The 'Iron Man' body armour many of us may soon be wearing

The market for exoskeletons - high-tech external body support systems - is tipped to grow strongly.

Microsoft makes $20bn bet on speech AI firm Nuance

The US tech giant is buying artificial intelligence firm Nuance, best known for developing Apple's Siri

Pubs: Crisis-hit industry welcomes reopenings

Pubs in England are pleased to be serving customers again, but many still face a fight for survival.

Cyber-firm Darktrace eyes '£3bn' London share listing

Boss Poppy Gustafsson says London is a "logical choice" despite Deliveroo's flop flotation.

France moves to ban short-haul domestic flights

MPs vote to stop flights where the journey could be made by train in under 2.5 hours.

Primark shoppers queue as opening hours extended to 10pm

JD Sports and TK Maxx also see queues as non-essential shops reopen in England and Wales.

Brewdog reveals plans for beer-themed hotel in Edinburgh

The Scottish firm says the Doghouse-branded boutique hotel will be in a former school in Market Street.

Homebase to put mini-garden centres at Next stores

As non-essential retail reopens in England the DIY chain is testing new strategies to reach customers.

Alibaba accepts record China fine and vows to change

China's regulators slapped a $2.8bn fine on the e-commerce giant over monopoly concerns

England Covid lockdown eases: PM warns people to 'behave responsibly'

Pub gardens, gyms and hairdressers are reopening as part of England's latest step out of lockdown.

Oxford Street: Wooing shoppers back to Europe's busiest high street

Empty stores and American sweets - what consumers on Oxford Street can expect to see as shops reopen.

Post Office could offer sub-postmasters a share in profits

Chief executive Nick Read wants the network to operate on "partnership of equals" basis from 2025.

Covid: Pubs reopening but some 'may not survive'

Landlords get ready to reopen but some say lockdown restrictions may put them at risk of closure.

Joe Biden: Could his tax plan affect US investment in Ireland?

US investment in Ireland could dry up if President Biden leads a major change to global tax rules.

Rescheduled Dubai Expo hopes to attract 25 million visits

The event sees countries using pavilions to show off the latest in architecture and technology.

Covid: Shoppers 'must respect staff' when retail reopens

People are urged to be considerate when non-essential retail rules ease in England and Wales on Monday.

‘I can’t wait to go shopping again, it's been ages’

Some are eager to hit the High Street when non-essential shops reopen on Monday - but others remain wary.

Lockdown eases: How we fit bras at a social distance

Bravissimo's Leanne Cahill explains how her shops will work when they reopen after lockdown.

Alibaba: Chinese regulator slaps huge fine on tech giant

The e-commerce company Alibaba Group is fined $2.75bn for violating anti-monopoly rules.

Wedding venues: 'It's costing me £250,000 a month'

Wedding industry professionals rue their loss of income as the economy slowly reopens after lockdown.

'Lockdown taught us we're more than just a gym'

On Monday, businesses will reopen after months of being closed, but can they adapt to the "new normal"?

Amazon defeats historic Alabama union effort

Contest was test for the e-commerce giant, which has faced global criticism for worker treatment.

'I'm on day eight and no Covid test has arrived'

Customers say they are being "scammed" by private firms failing to deliver Covid test kits and results.

Is England's café culture set for a boost?

Councils tell the BBC more than 840 pavement licences have been granted in the biggest English cities.

Home movers have a spring in their step, says the Halifax

The stamp duty holiday extension led to a "resurgence" in the housing market in March, the Halifax says.

US blacklists seven Chinese supercomputer groups

President Biden's actions continue US moves to make it harder for China to obtain its technology.

Coronavirus: Cost of testing 'is too much for people to travel'

The government cannot yet confirm whether international travel could resume in May.

Amazon holds early lead in historic union election

Workers in Alabama were voting on whether to create the first unionised warehouse in the US.

Down's syndrome: 'Having a job makes me feel safe'

Only 5.6% of adults with learning disabilities were in full-time employment last year, research shows.

'Satan Shoes' to be recalled as Nike agrees to settle lawsuit

The art collective that sold the customised sneakers will recall the shoes and offer full refunds.

Are pay-by-the-minute booths the future of work?

A Singapore-based firm has come up with a useful alternative when working from home is inconvenient.

Wiltshire pub's new chalet 'breaks Covid rules'

The bar, with pizza oven and TV, does not comply with outdoor shelter guidelines, a council says.

Greensill lobbying row: Rishi Sunak texts to David Cameron released

The Treasury takes the unusual step of releasing messages from the chancellor amid a lobbying row.

William: Banks must do more to protect environment

The Duke of Cambridge says investing in nature is a cost effective way of tackling global warming.

Why global tax talks are back on the agenda

International efforts to reform business taxation have been given new impetus by the new US administration.

Clubhouse: Is the audio app really worth $4bn?

A report suggests Twitter considered paying the sum for the rapidly growing live-audio app.

Morrisons to stop selling plastic carrier bags

The supermarket chain will remove 100 million plastic carrier bags from its network over the next year.

Asos sales and profits jump as customer numbers rise

The online fashion group added one and a half million customers in the past six months, with sales up 24%.

Study says bitcoin could derail China's climate change targets

Bitcoin emissions in China exceed the total emissions of the Czech Republic and Qatar, study says.

Should firms be more worried about firmware cyber-attacks?

Microsoft says firmware cyber-attacks are on the rise, but enterprises are not paying attention.

Beijing now has more billionaires than any city

The city has overtaken New York as it bounced back quickly from the pandemic, according to Forbes.

Women could be owed 'lottery-winning' pension sums

Up to 5,000 women pensioners could be entitled to huge refunds under a little-known-rule, the BBC has learned.

High Street shops will 'bounce back' on reopening day

Analysts say rise in visitors to retail parks shows shoppers keen to return to physical shopping.

Boohoo: Price differences for same clothes 'a genuine mistake'

Boohoo says it had not realised identical clothing was being sold at different prices across its brands.

Covid: Shed and garage offices pose insurance risk

Plans to convert sheds, garages and extensions in order to work from home can leave some uninsured.

Five animals to spot in a post-Covid financial jungle

As the world prepares for an economic reset, several creatures have emerged to help you navigate your way.

World Bank warns against 'high' global tax minimum

The comments by David Malpass come as G-20 leaders said they hoped to reach a global tax deal by mid-year.

JP Morgan boss plans for 'significantly' less office space

Jamie Dimon's shareholder letter includes thoughts on home working and Brexit - Europe has "upper hand".

Tax wealth to help shrink inequality caused by Covid says IMF

Inequality had widened in the year since the virus first hit the global economy, the IMF said on Wednesday.

Driving lessons to resume in England and Wales on 12 April

Lessons can start on 12 April and tests will return 10 days later, the transport secretary says.

Scotland needs 'Google-sized' changes on economy

A report by Sir Tom Hunter calls for radical change if economic growth is to match countries such as Denmark and Norway.

Leeds Bradford Airport development plan ruling delayed

The government is to take more time to examine a £150m scheme to redevelop Leeds Bradford Airport.

Deliveroo shares rise 2% on first full trading day

Wednesday marks the first day of trading for 70,000 retail investors who have bought shares in Deliveroo.

Even 'dungers' are too pricey in NZ property market

Covid-containing New Zealand has the most unaffordable housing market among developed nations.

Toshiba confirms $20bn buyout bid from equity fund

The scandal-hit Japanese electronics giant has received an offer from CVC Capital Partners.

Kim Kardashian West joins billionaire club

Forbes business magazine adds the US reality TV star to its list of the super-rich.

'Our flight refund battle for mum who can barely walk'

The family was sent a voucher, rather than the refund they wanted - until BBC News followed up the case.

City drivers 'should think twice' before buying SUVs

The boss of the RAC Foundation says drivers in urban areas should consider which car is most appropriate.

Food poverty: MPs call on government to step up help

A report calls on the government to create a food security minister to protect the vulnerable.

CEO Secrets: 'Older customers want the personal touch'

A ready meal delivery firm targeting older customers says the business was going nowhere until they started taking phone orders.

Amazon's Jeff Bezos backs tax rise on companies

Comments by the world's richest man come amid a fierce debate over raising the tax rate on companies.

Britain's electricity system 'greenest ever' over Easter

Sunny and windy weather led to a surge in renewable sources of energy, the operator says.

Virgin Money customers face digital banking fault

The bank's app and online services have been inaccessible owing to the problem, prompting an apology.

Mother-daughter relationship turned upside down

Margaret and Cordelia have seen a reversal in their financial relationship due to the pandemic.

IMF forecasts stronger recovery for world economy

The IMF has upgraded both its UK and global forecasts compared with what it projected in January.

'Why do I feel pressure to be an entrepreneur?'

Having a side hustle isn't for everyone.

Remote working: Is Big Tech going off work from home?

After much hype about working from home, some tech companies are getting cold feet.

EasyJet: Two test travel rule is too expensive

The airline claims the cost of pre and post-travel testing could exceed the price of a plane ticket.

Peacocks stores back in business as buyout saves 2,000 jobs

The fashion chain will be brought back to life by former senior executive saving 200 stores.

Credit Suisse axes bosses and bonuses Greensill and Archegos losses

The Swiss bank's risk chief is leaving after it revealed the fallout from two major clients.

Australia and New Zealand to start quarantine-free travel

Both nations have contained Covid outbreaks and sustained very low or near-zero infection rates.

Janet Yellen pledges greater US international co-operation

Janet Yellen signals global co-operation is back on the agenda for world's biggest economy.

Unions criticise 'miserly' 50p rise in statutory sick pay

SSP increases from £95.85 to £96.35 a week in April, but unions say it is too little to live on.

Ex-Topshop worker: I feel 'ghosted' by recruiters

Former Topshop and Debenhams workers say their lives have changed hugely since the shops closed down.

'We went here, there and everywhere to make it happen'

Budding academic entrepreneurs say that scientific discovery is only the start of the journey.

My Money: 'Lockdown has been a blessing in disguise'

Thanucha, a pharmacology student from Hertfordshire, talks us through her lockdown spending.

'Disappointed' travel chiefs seek clarity from PM

Leading travel industry figures react with dismay to Boris Johnson's update on the lockdown roadmap.

Amazon 'illegally retaliated' against climate activists

The firm fired two tech workers who had criticised the firm's environmental practices.

England's lockdown to ease as planned on 12 April

Outdoor pub and restaurant areas, non-essential shops, gyms and hairdressers will be able to reopen.

Covid in Scotland: Hairdressers and homeware shops reopen

Non-essential click and collect services are also able to resume business as Covid restrictions ease.

Google v Oracle: Supreme Court declares Google's code copying fair

The US Supreme Court has handed Google a major win in a decade-long battle over copied code.

Godzilla Vs. Kong reports monster box office sales

The film has set a new record for pandemic-era filmgoing, making more than $385m (£205m) globally.

Penguin Random House keeps furlough cash despite strong sales

Like other publishers, it has seen demand for books surge during lockdown.

Labour urges tighter rules on lobbyists

It comes amid questions over David Cameron's links to collapsed finance firm Greensill Capital.

LG scraps its smartphone business as losses mount

The South Korean electronics giant said the mobile phone market had become "incredibly competitive".

Boohoo: Karen Millen skirt had Oasis label covered in pen

Joanna Sikora said a skirt she bought from Karen Millen had an Oasis label covered in marker pen.

Bernard Tapie: French tycoon and wife attacked in home

The former Adidas owner and his wife were tied up and assaulted by burglars at their estate near Paris.

Amazon apologises for wrongly denying drivers need to urinate in bottles

The online shopping giant falsely claimed its drivers were not forced at times to urinate in bottles.

Covid passport trials begin with live comedy night

Ministers also confirm a risk-based "traffic light" system will start when foreign holidays resume.

“Having an address got me a job"

A new scheme is giving homeless people virtual addresses to access essential services.

Deliveroo April Fools' joke backfires in France

Thousands of people get fake bills for hundreds of euros' worth of pizza but fail to be amused.

US jobs creation surges in March as recovery gains steam

US employers add more than 900,000 jobs in March. as vaccinations spread and restrictions ease.

Covid 19: Pakistan among new countries added to England's travel ban list

Travel from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya or the Philippines will not be allowed from 9 April.

Stock markets hit new records on Biden spending plan

Asian markets have edged higher after optimistic investors pushed Wall Street to new highs overnight.

Italian restaurant owner wrongly targeted by US sanctions

It was a case of mistaken identity for the restaurant owner in Verona who has now been taken off blacklist.

What it's like driving across the new Irish trade border

Three months since the creation of the new Irish trade border, the BBC travelled with a lorry driver.

Nike wins lawsuit over 'Satan Shoes' with human blood

The art collective that sold the customised Nike sneakers has shipped all but one of the 666 pairs.

Bottling it: How breweries have survived lockdown

Over the three national lockdowns most pubs have been shut, meaning breweries have had to adapt.

Boohoo to probe price differences for same clothing

The same coat sold by Coast is more expensive than Dorothy Perkins despite both being owned by Boohoo.

Green energy tariffs often 'misleading'

Energy suppliers' environment-friendly tariffs are not always as green as they sound, experts say.

'What do I cut to fund minimum wage rise?'

Businesses are concerned they might not be able to afford the compulsory pay rise this year.

Every customer must sign in when pubs reopen

New rules to help venues reopen outdoors safely this month have sparked anger from industry groups.

Brexit: The impact on Dutch food exports to the UK

BBC reporter Anna Holligan explains how Brexit has affected the way the Netherlands exports fresh food to the UK.

Gupta: Liberty Steel plants won't shut on my watch'

Liberty Steel owner Sanjeev Gupta is racing to refinance after his financial backer collapsed.

Next sees online sales jump but profits plunge

The British retailer's stores were closed for 20 weeks over the last year during lockdown restrictions.

Dragons' Den: The hits, misses, and why investments fall through

Peter Jones and Sara Davies discuss the mechanics of the BBC One show ahead of its 18th series.