Aukus: Australia-EU trade talks delayed as row deepens

The postponement of the meeting comes after Canberra pulled out of a $37bn defence deal with France.

Black Widow: Disney and Scarlett Johansson settle lawsuit

Johansson argued she was deprived of earnings when the movie was offered on Disney+.

Can you be coached on how to be happy?

The happiness industry has grown in popularity during the pandemic but it's not without its critics.

Millions of households face 12% gas and electricity price rise

Standard energy bills rise by £139 a year and prepayment meter bills see sharper rise under new price cap.

Restaurants warn prices will rise due to VAT hike

The increased sales tax will be passed on to customers, say restaurant and bar bosses.

Macy's sues to stop Amazon using famous New York billboard

New York's famous department store claims Amazon plans to advertise directly outside its flagship site.

Leicester City and JD Sports merchandise probe

A competition watchdog has "reasonable grounds to suspect one or more breaches of competition law".

Evergrande: Chinese property giant 'misses another payment deadline'

The indebted Chinese property giant is said to have missed more payments to overseas investors.

EG Group petrol station staff get pay rise

Asda owners raise wages of service station staff for "heroic" work in pandemic and amid fuel crisis.

Boohoo sales soar but shipping costs dent profits

The fast fashion retailer saw pre-tax profits hit by high shipping costs in the six months to 31 August.

Rapid house price growth continues in September, says Nationwide

Property prices have risen at 10% or more a year for each of the last five months, the Nationwide says.

UK lockdown rebound stronger than first thought

Household spending drove economic growth at a faster pace than previously estimated during spring.

China power cuts: What is causing the country's blackouts?

Millions of homes and businesses have been hit due to a severe shortage of electricity.

Cost of living: £500m in new grants to help poorest households

The government announces the support as other schemes, including furlough, close.

Changing China: How Beijing's crackdowns are impacting business

Businesses are under intense scrutiny as President Xi attempts to narrow China's wealth gap.

UK furlough scheme ends amid calls for further support

Firms still relying on the job protection scheme call for more support as it is wound up.

Covid: What impact has the furlough scheme had?

The scheme to protect jobs is coming to an end having cost nearly £70bn.

Amazon offers bonuses to attract 20,000 temporary staff

The retail giant will pay sign-on fees to temporary staff as it recruits 20,000 seasonal workers.

Katty Kay: Former BBC journalist quits US media firm

Ms Kay has quit Ozy Media after reports one of its executives deceived potential investors.

Three more energy firms go bust amid gas price rise

Enstroga, Igloo Energy and Symbio Energy are the latest to go under, Ofgem announces.

Frasers: Incoming boss of Sports Direct group could net £100m

Michael Murray, prospective son-in-law of Mike Ashley, could bag the bonus after he takes over the Sports Direct group.

Ikea to remove CCTV found above toilets at Peterborough distribution centre

The furniture giant says it understands that the discovery of the cameras "may be concerning".

GB number plate sticker no longer valid abroad

The GB stickers motorists use when driving abroad are no longer valid after a change in UK rules.

Amazon's algorithms taken to task in landmark bill

Warehouse workers can no longer be sacked for time off task if they have good reason to take breaks.

Pensions department faces 'serious questions' non-payments

Thousands of newly-retired people have not been paid their state pension owing to a backlog.

China: Big spender or loan shark?

China hands out twice as much development cash as the US - mostly high-interest loans from state banks.

United Airlines to fire staff who refuse vaccine

The vast majority of its 67,000 US employees comply with the airline's Covid-19 vaccine policy.

Next calls for immigration rules to be relaxed

The UK retailer says the government must act to prevent staffing shortages during the festive season.

Hinkley nuclear power station on track for 2026 opening

The site in Somerset is 49% complete after five years of construction.

Brexit paves the way for gene-edited crops

Ministers will relax regulation of gene-edited crops to allow their commercial growing in England.

Petrol supply: Army gets ready to assist as PM reassures drivers

Boris Johnson says the fuel situation is "improving" as about 150 military tanker drivers begin training.

Evergrande: Struggling firm to raise $1.5bn as debt payment looms

The deal comes as the cash-strapped firm faces another interest payment deadline on Wednesday.

Cryptocurrency expert admits aiding North Korea

The US Department of Justice says he "jeopardised the national security of the United States".

The race to replace persistent chemicals in our homes

Why widely-used PFAS coatings found on objects like frying pans and raincoats are in the spotlight.

Oil price rises above $80 for first time in three years

Analysts believe that oil prices will continue to rise amid surging demand and tight supplies.

Petrol supply: Crisis starting to ease, Boris Johnson says

The situation at fuel stations is "stabilising", says the PM, after days of queues and pump closures.

Amazon announces Astro the home robot

Astro can patrol the home when you're not there, or be remotely controlled.

Key workers struggling to travel amid fuel crisis

Panic buying of petrol has left some key workers unable to get fuel to travel to work.

What's in short supply and why?

Shortages are one thing we don't seem to be running out of in the UK right now.

New 159 fraud hotline launched to counter threat

Potential victims who dial it will be automatically connected to their bank's fraud prevention service.

Broadband switching to be made faster and easier under new rules

Switching from one tech to another will no longer require long phone calls to several companies.

Outlook bleak for drivers as petrol prices surge, says RAC

Pump prices have reached an eight-year high, the motoring body says, amid the current fuel crisis.

Southeastern: Government takes over services after 'serious breach'

The government says it will consider options for more action, including financial penalties.

Al Gore's firm buys £483m stake in Octopus Energy Group

Al Gore's Generation Investment Management buys a 13% stake in UK firm Octopus Energy Group.

Goldman Sachs cuts China growth forecast over power outages

The country has seen electricity shortages that have left some factories and homes without power.

Taliban: Afghanistan bank boss warns sector near collapse

The head of one of Afghanistan's biggest banks says the country's financial sector is near collapse.

Ford announces $11.4bn investment in electric vehicle plants

The US carmaker vows to "lead America's shift to electric vehicles" with largest ever factory.

Mr Goxx, the crypto-trading hamster beating human investors

Can a hamster trading cryptocurrency beat human investors in the stock market? Mr Goxx can.

Instagram for kids paused after backlash

Facebook delays its child-friendly Instagram version to do more work with concerned parents.

Power cuts hit homes in north-east China

An electricity shortage affecting factories has now spread to some homes.

Green investing: How your savings can fight climate change

Campaigners say you should see your money as a secret superpower that can help save the planet

Can football-playing robots beat the World Cup winners by 2050?

The robot football league that is hoping to eventually beat the best human team in the world.

Homeworking helps careers, say majority of women

Just over half of women think working from home will help advance their careers, says a survey for the BBC.

Fuel supply: Army put on standby to ease pressure on petrol stations

Military drivers are being trained so they are ready to be deployed if necessary, the government says.

Fuel supply: Minister blames empty petrol pumps on unnecessary purchases

The situation will "calm down" when people fill their cars normally, the environment secretary said.

UK visa plan will not fix lorry driver shortage, says boss

The move will not solve the UK's shortage of qualified drivers, says a leading EU haulage chief.

Grant Thornton fined £4m for Patisserie Valerie scandal

The accountancy firm has been fined £4m for audit failings of bust cake chain Patisserie Valerie

Aldi says deliveries normal despite lorry driver shortage

The boss of supermarket chain Aldi UK says he doesn't expect any disruption for customers this Christmas.

China Evergrande: What the company's debt crisis means for the world

The property giant has missed an interest payment deadline, fuelling concerns that it will collapse.

Gas price crisis: Octopus ordered to take on Avro's customers

Ofgem has ordered Octopus Energy to take on 580,000 customers from collapsed firm Avro Energy.

Riskiest payments should be slowed to stop fraud, says Nationwide

Nationwide Building Society sets up a fraud checking hotline, but says wider changes are need to halt fraud.

Can green energy power Africa's future?

Energy access is a big issue for businesses in Africa, but can the continent go green as well?

Labour conference: Party to unveil plan to scrap business rates

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves will promise a fairer property tax in a speech to Labour's conference.

Fuel supply: UK suspends competition law to get petrol to forecourts

It comes as the Petrol Retailers Association warns that up to two-thirds of its members are out of fuel.

Farmers warn of Christmas turkey shortage due to lack of staff

Sales are already soaring despite fewer birds being produced for the big chains, a farming boss says.

Fuel supply: Visas won't solve petrol supply issues - retailers

A trade body says filling stations are running out as ministers seek to bring in overseas lorry drivers.

No fuel shortage, says transport secretary

Grant Shapps calls for drivers to be "sensible" and only fill up when they need to.

Energy crisis not failure of regulation, says Ofgem boss

The boss of the regulator tells the BBC no one could have predicted the sharp rise in gas prices.

Hauliers and poultry workers to get temporary visas

Some 10,500 foreign lorry drivers and poultry workers will be able to work in the UK until Christmas Eve.

Lorry driver shortage: Government working on temporary visa scheme

A shortage of drivers has disrupted supply chains and fuel deliveries, with vehicles queuing for petrol.

Nike and Costco warn of product shortages and delays

The sportswear giant and retailer are struggling to source products due to supply chain issues.

Huawei's Meng Wanzhou to be freed in US deal

Chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou has been detained in Canada over US fraud charges since 2018.

Airport arrivals hit by passport gate failure

Passengers arriving at UK airports suffer delays after an IT problem hits self-service passport gates.

Petrol: Ministers to meet over supply problem

They are due to meet on Friday afternoon despite the transport secretary saying fuel will "continue to flow".

China declares all crypto-currency transactions illegal

Trading Bitcoin and other crypto-currenices is a criminal activity, China's central bank says.

Thousands of energy customers facing bill shocks

People are awaiting decisions by the regulator about which surviving company will take on their supply.

Gas price crisis: Shift focus to using less energy, says boss

The government should concentrate on how people can use less energy so they pay less, a supplier says.

Climate change: Construction companies told to stop knocking down buildings

Britain’s top engineers are urging the government to stop buildings being demolished.

Mondelez threatens trademark battle over bar's lilac packaging

Mondelez believes Primal Pantry's vegan fruit bar "exploits" the trademark of its Milka chocolates.

Evergrande: Investors in the dark over $83m bond payment

Financial markets have been rocked this week by concerns over the firm's more than $300bn of debt.

Fuel issues spark row over lorry drivers shortage

Some petrol stations closed on Thursday amid a driver shortage that has caused havoc with supply chains.

Restaurants set to be banned from withholding staff tips

The government is set to make it illegal for hospitality bosses to withhold tips from their workers.

The edible insects coming to a supermarket near you

A number of firms are now farming locusts and mealworms for human consumption.

Ministers examining how to fill food sector labour shortages

The government said it is "looking at options" to deal with labour shortages ahead of Christmas.

Theranos trial: Former US general 'amazed' by Elizabeth Holmes

Gen Mattis, a former defence secretary, thought it was a mistake when the Theranos founder was accused of fraud.

Ministers prepare for worst in gas price crisis

Business minister Paul Scully says the government needs to plan for a lengthy spell of high gas prices.

Advertising regulator to clampdown on greenwashing ads

The Advertising Standards Authority will launch inquiries into false environmental claims made in ads.

BP closes some sites due to lorry driver shortage

The oil firm said only "a handful" of sites are affected by the fuel supply issues.

EU rules to force USB-C chargers for all phones

Manufacturers could be forced to change devices to a uniform charging system.

Inflation: Bank of England says price rises to top 4% by year-end

The Bank keeps interest rates at 0.1% and maintains its bond-buying programme.

Millions face winter finance squeeze, says charity

Low-income families face a £710 rise in costs, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates.

Working from home: Staff abuse it, says City boss

Staff should not have the right to ask for flexible working from day one of new job, an employer says.

Taiwan seeks entry into key trade pact before China

Taiwan has warned that its application into the CPTPP could be affected should China join first.

Covid debt: A baby, job loss - and now eviction

Tenants are being evicted due to rent arrears built up during the pandemic, an investigation finds.

Evergrande: Shares in crisis-hit firm jump as debt deadline looms

The debt-laden developer is due to make a $83.5m interest payment on an overseas bond on Thursday.

Changing China: Why Xi Jinping is leading a way back to socialism

China has not been very socialist for years, but the Communist Party looks set to change that.

Vauxhall Motors plans Luton job losses amid chip crisis

The Unite union says it will "do everything in our power to mitigate or prevent" job losses.

Energy firms' collapse hits 1.5 million customers

Several energy suppliers, such as Avro Energy and Green, have gone bust in recent weeks.

CEO Secrets: 'In my business, you eat what you kill'

Music executive Riki Bleau shares his business advice for our CEO Secrets series.

US economy continues to strengthen despite Delta, says Fed

The central bank may start paring back its emergency support for the economy "soon" - but didn't say when.

Food firms warn of panic-buying this Christmas

Empty supermarket shelves may become commonplace as labour shortages bite, industry bodies say.

Travel rule change delayed by lateral flow test shortage

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says private Covid testing firms cannot supply enough lateral flow tests.

US lifting ban on imports of British lamb, says Boris Johnson

The PM says farmers can export to the US, and insists the chances of a wider trade deal are not fading.

Gas crisis: Head of regulator warns more customers face hit

The energy regulator says "well above" hundreds of thousands of customers may be left in limbo as more suppliers fold.

Fraudsters steal £4m a day as crime surges

Total losses through fraud rockets by 30% in the first half of the year, with many victims not refunded.

China pledges to stop building new coal energy plants abroad

The announcement is the country's latest climate pledge and a major step forward to address emissions.

Evergrande: Crisis-hit firm strikes China debt deal

The company is also due to make a $83.5m interest payment on an offshore bond on Thursday.

German elections: Businesses face future without Merkel

Many companies in Germany are focused on short-term survival in the hope of medium-term revival.

Trade talks on the agenda as Johnson meets Biden

The talks between the UK prime minister and US president come as a possible trade pact is considered.

Major record labels could face competition inquiry

The competition watchdog has been asked whether major record labels are distorting the market.

'No clear end to HS2 cost and delays' say MPs

The Public Accounts Committee is "increasingly alarmed" about key parts of the rail project.

Pret to hire 3,000 staff after cutting same number in 2020

The coffee and sandwich chain says it hopes to open 200 shops and double in size within five years.

How 'nerd' culture powered through the pandemic

Meet the online content creators beating the odds to build successful careers from their passions.

Catalogue of errors led to £1bn of state pension underpayments

The National Audit Office says 134,000 pensioners, mostly women, were affected by a preventable scandal.

Pandemic has changed travel forever, says AirBnB boss

Boss Brian Chesky says people are increasingly combining business and leisure travel thanks to remote working.

Covid travel test changing date needed to avoid losses

Airlines and airports say they need a date for when PCR tests are removed so they don't lose out on bookings.

Record backlog of cargo ships at California ports

Some 65 container ships are stuck outside the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, amid trade bottlenecks.

Mask-wearing on public transport sees big drop

Only 20% still wear masks at train stations now it is no longer compulsory, according to Network Rail.

Where does the UK get its gas and is it facing a shortage this winter?

A surge in gas prices has prompted fears of hard times ahead - but how bad could it get?

Government strikes deal to restart CO2 production

It comes after one industry group warned shoppers could start noticing gaps on shelves within days.

Inflation to remain higher for two years, warns OECD

The UK is expected to have inflation of 3% at the end of 2022, the highest rate of the advanced economies.

Staff to gain day one right to request flexible working

Under government proposals, all employees will be given the right to request flexible working.

National Express in talks to buy transport rival Stagecoach

The move comes after both bus firms were hit hard by falling passenger numbers during the pandemic.

Government borrowing higher than expected in August

Borrowing was lower than a year earlier, but was still the second-highest on record for August.

Gas crisis: Energy price cap will stay, say Kwasi Kwarteng and Ofgem

Price rises will be limited to 12% as Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng rejects fears of power cuts.

Can apps manage our chronic health conditions?

A Swedish tech firm has created an app to help alleviate people's joint pain.

Pimlico Plumbers sold to US firm Neighborly

The deal will see founder Charlie Mullins offload his 90% stake in the group.

US stocks tumble amid fears of market correction

Wall Street follows Europe lower amid concerns about China's financial system and US growth.

Christmas toy price rises and stock shortages warning

One toy firm says rising shipping costs and HGV driver shortages are making for "a perfect storm".

Electricity energy costs damaging sector, says UK Steel

Some firms are being forced to temporarily pause production when the price goes "through the roof".

Timber shortage: Port of King's Lynn sees imports double in a year

A port sees timber imports double in the past year as people take on construction and home projects.

Gas crisis: Pig farmers fear they may have to cull animals

A shortage of carbon dioxide used to stun pigs at abattoirs means a backlog of animals is growing.

Covid: US opens up to fully vaccinated EU and UK passengers

The move answers a major demand from European allies at a time of strained relations.

Gas prices: 'I'm just watching the meter go up'

Customers caught in the middle of the energy price crisis face higher bills but are told not to panic.

Evergrande: Embattled China property giant sparks economy fears

The world's most indebted real estate developer is in crisis - is it too big to fail?

Worker shortage: Prezzo gives staff pay rise and Boxing Day off

The Italian restaurant chain is the latest hospitality company to give its workers a pay rise.

Gas price rise: Government considering loans for energy firms

The government is considering offering loans to energy suppliers amid rises in gas prices.

UK energy company seeks funds to stay afloat

Bulb, the UK's sixth largest energy provider, is seeking funds due to price rises in wholesale gas.

Gas price rise: Food firms warn increase will hit supplies

Meat producers and supermarkets fear a shortage of CO2 will hit the availability of fresh produce.

Gas prices: Are energy bills going up and what can I do?

Gas prices have soared by 250% since January but what does that mean for household bills?

Four more small energy firms could go bust next week

Rising wholesale gas prices means some companies are unable to supply energy customers have paid for.

Gas price rises prompt urgent government talks

There are concerns the high price of wholesale gas could have a far-reaching impact on the economy.

Unpaid state pension: 'I'm disgusted by delays'

Thousands of people who have turned 66 have not been paid their state pensions and they are furious.

Travel restriction changes 'positive', say airlines

Scrapping traffic light system and PCR tests is "a shot in the arm" for industry, airlines say.

Gen Z battles to bring back unions, one Starbucks at a time

Younger Americans are reviving US labour activism amid stagnant wages and Covid hardship.

Meat processors in government talks over gas shortage

A shortage of carbon dioxide could hit meat production and packaging, UK processors warn.

Manchester United reveals impact of Covid year

Football giant says year was among its most challenging but sees broadcast income jump sharply.

Next deal keeps Gap brand alive in the UK

Deal means Gap will still have a UK high street presence within Next's stores despite closing its own.

Retail sales fall as more people dine out

Sales at food stores fell last month as more people spent their money in restaurants and bars.

Covid-19: Overhaul of international travel rules expected

Ministers are expected to announce changes to the travel traffic light system in England on Friday.

China applies to join key Asia-Pacific trade pact

It comes the day after a regional security agreement between the US, UK and Australia was unveiled.

'I’m constantly worried about being evicted'

Debt charity StepChange is calling for emergency support for renters who have fallen behind on payments.

'Looking back, it was an amazing thing I did'

Meet the founder on a 10-year mission to disrupt Japan's rigid work culture.

Why taking up an instrument has struck a chord for so many

The pandemic led to around 1m UK adults learning an instrument and many taking music lessons.

Sir Clive Sinclair: Computing pioneer dies aged 81

The inventor, entrepreneur and ZX Spectrum creator died at his London home following a long illness.

Carbon emitters 'failing to disclose climate risks'

In a study of more than 100 company accounts, 80% of audits didn't assess climate risk.

Southwest Airlines pays staff extra to get jabbed

It is the latest big carrier to offer incentives for getting vaccinated as US infections surge.

John Lewis charters ships to ensure Christmas stock arrives

The department store chain says it is trying everything to get goods to the UK for the holiday season.

Marks & Spencer blames Brexit as it closes 11 French stores

Brexit has made it "near impossible" for it to supply fresh and chilled products to France, the retailer says.

Vectura: Malboro giant seals takeover of UK inhaler firm

Philip Morris International clinches its £1.1bn bid for the UK inhaler firm Vectura.

Co-op to start selling groceries on Amazon Prime

Shoppers will be able to order Co-op's full range of groceries via Amazon across the UK by Christmas.

Crackdown fears send Macau casino shares on a losing streak

The market value of firms operating in the world's biggest gambling hub has slumped this week.

UK power prices soar after key cable hit by blaze

British wholesale electricity prices for the following day jumped by 19% to £475 per megawatt hour.

Bitcoin protests in El Salvador against cryptocurrency as legal tender

The demonstrators burn Bitcoin machines, a week after the cryptocurrency became legal tender.

CEO Secrets: 'You can run a business and have a baby'

Planning for a maternity leave when you're the boss of a fast-growing company.

Most office workers will never return full-time, survey says

Most people do not believe workers will return to the office full-time, according to new YouGov research.

Five ways we think office work will change

How people think the coronavirus pandemic has affected the future of office work in five charts.

Shares in Federer backed shoe firm soar on debut

Shares in On Holding jumped by almost 46% on their first day of trading in New York.

Itsu increases pay to a minimum of £10.40 an hour

The Asian food restaurant is increasing the hourly wage for entry level staff by 11%.

Primark promises to make clothes more sustainable - and affordable

The chain says its clothes will stay reasonably priced but will be more sustainably sourced.

Finance firms urge black students to apply for internships

A new work experience scheme is aiming to increase the number of black people working in finance.

FCA wants celebrities to warn of investment risks

Influencers are part of the regulator's plan to highlight decisions over high-risk investments.

Firms fined over 'frustrating' nuisance messages

We Buy Any Car, Saga and Sports Direct are fined for sending millions of nuisance messages.

Job vacancies: How do I find a new job and who is hiring?

There are record numbers of empty positions, figures show, so which sectors are looking to recruit?

John Lewis to create thousands of Christmas jobs

The partnership is looking to fill 7,000 temporary roles across its shops, department stores and warehouses.

Countryside scraps leasehold ground rent rises

Leaseholders who bought homes from Countryside Properties will no longer be subject to ground rent rises.

Price rises see record jump as food costs rise in August

The UK inflation rate hit 3.2% in the year to August, according to the latest official figures.

Canva: Australian online design platform valued at $40bn

The online design platform has become one of the most valuable private firms in the world.

TikTok: Social media giant to roll out support for users' mental health

The move comes as Instagram is facing fresh scrutiny over its impact on young people's wellbeing.

Apple iPhone 13 brings portrait mode for video

The portrait-mode style video setting can pull focus on its subjects automatically.

Pennies back in production as cash is hoarded during Covid

No new 1p coins were made by The Royal Mint in 2018 and 2019 but returned to production last year.

'I learned to read again to get a new job'

New research found that low levels of literacy costs workers an extra 18 months in lost earnings.

Why even giant ships can't solve the shipping crisis

A shortage of vessels is hampering global trade and may lead to empty shelves before Christmas.

Fashion house in backlash over 'racist' $1,190 sweatpants

Critics say the $1,190 pants, which come with a built-in pair of boxer shorts, rip off US hip hop culture.

Spain targets energy firms as European bills surge

Bills are spiralling in several countries and Spain agrees emergency measures to help consumers.

Javid: Valneva vaccine would not have got UK approval

Health secretary says Valneva vaccine would not have got regulatory approval after UK cancels contract.

Boeing says air travel to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2024

Plane maker expects global aviation to take another two and a half years to recover.

Tesco launches new refillable shopping with 88 products

Tesco supermarket has launched a zero-waste shopping service, providing customers with containers.

Amazon's Cape Town base: The battle to save South African culture

Some indigenous groups say the planned office in Cape Town is on culturally important land.

Brexit: Checks on goods imported from the EU delayed again

The government blames Covid and supply chain difficulties as it puts back changes.

Ocado says delivery driver wage rise to cost it up to £5m

The online food delivery is the latest to offer increased wages amid a shortage of lorry drivers.

Job vacancies rise above one million in new record

Official figures show the number of vacancies top one million for the first time since records began in 2001.

Evergrande: Shares in cash-strapped China property giant plunge

Evergrande has also seen a rare protest staged by investors at its headquarters in Shenzhen.

Apple rushes to block 'zero-click' iPhone spyware

The flaw allows hackers to access devices even if users do not click on a link or file.

Fake Walmart news release claimed it would accept cryptocurrency

A news story claiming Walmart would accept cryptocurrency Litecoin was fabricated, the retail giant says.

Scrap Covid tests for most travellers, says industry

The government has "choked off" travel trade and 70% of firms plan redundancies, says Abta.

The pressures - and rewards - of being an influencer

Running your own popular YouTube channel can be lucrative, but it comes with downsides.

Democrats propose partial rollback of Trump tax cuts

Under new plans, corporate and income tax would rise for the wealthiest companies and individuals.

Tesco zero-waste trial launches at 10 stores in England

The trial will enable shoppers to buy certain products in reusable packaging they can return to stores.

Politeness leaving people at the mercy of fraudsters

Banks warn that people do not want to appear rude rather than cutting off unsolicited phone calls.

BrewDog appoints 'blue-chip reputation' chairman

Allan Leighton joins the Aberdeenshire brewing firm which had been hit by criticism from former employees.

Primark says trend for comfort wear has continued

The discount fashion chain says shoppers are still stocking up on leggings and cycle shorts.

UK scraps Covid-19 vaccine deal with French firm Valneva

The French firm says the deal was cancelled over allegations of a breach of the agreement, which it denies.

British American Tobacco negotiated bribe for Mugabe, new evidence suggests

Documents reveal British American Tobacco’s role in bribery and spying in southern Africa.

Alibaba slides on report China plans to break up payment app

Chinese regulators have been targeting Ant Group and other technology companies operating in the country.

The epicentre of Britain's pandemic house price boom

House prices have surged in many parts of the UK - and in one district they have risen by 29% in a year.

UK must prepare for more economic shocks, says TUC

The Covid pandemic will not be a one-off, with climate chaos already a reality, says Frances O'Grady.

Covid: Legal action begins over quarantine hotel rules

A law firm representing travellers is taking the government to court over the UK's quarantine hotel policy.

Could a reboot make social media a nicer place?

A Harvard University project will explore whether social media can be de-toxed

Cressida Dick: Tech giants make it impossible to stop terrorists

Pressure on tech firms intensifies as Priti Patel unveils fund for technologies to keep children safe.

Ryanair: Holiday prices likely to rise sharply soon

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary says fewer flights amid spiking demand will lead to higher prices.

England vaccine passport plans ditched, Sajid Javid says

A vaccine passport scheme for nightclubs and large events in England will not go ahead, minister says.

Women's state pension: 'It is like you've lived one big lie'

How women born in the 1950s had their retirement plans upended by state pension age changes.

TUC: Jobs at risk if UK fails to hit carbon emissions target

Trade bodies and unions say the UK is slipping behind other nations on green investment.

Fraud warnings not good enough for young adults, says charity

An anti-fraud charity says banks are not doing enough to warn young adults about the dangers of fraud.

What is 'individual transport' and why is it important?

At the first major car sector event since Covid environmentally-friendly mobility was the hot topic.

Delays in state pension payments 'causing anxiety'

Hundreds of new state pension claimants failed to receive payments owing to Covid and staffing problems.

Driver shortage: 50,000 more HGV driving tests promised a year

The government will make it quicker to get an HGV driver licence, amid an industry-wide shortage.

Apple dealt major blow in Epic Games trial

A judge in the Apple vs Epic trial says Apple must give app developers alternative payment options.

Food shortages could be permanent, warns industry body

Shoppers are unlikely to have a wide range of products to choose from, due to supply chain issues.

Watchdog urges tougher line on Covid test firms

Basic standards for firms to qualify for the government list should be significantly improved, says the CMA.

Emma Raducanu set to be best-paid British sportswoman

The teenage tennis star's potential earnings skyrocket as she reaches the US Open final.

Lorry driver shortages: 'It's a very good career'

More than 100,000 lorry drivers are needed to meet a national shortage which is causing stock delays.

UK economic growth slows sharply in July

The UK economy grew just 0.1% in July as the last Covid restrictions were lifted in England.

Twitter to label 'good' bot accounts

Twitter wants "good" bot accounts to label themselves as non-human.

Rail industry urges workers not to spurn the train

City centres and High Streets could suffer unless workers start taking the train again, the industry warns.

US Biden and China's Xi hold first call in seven months

This is only the second call between both leaders since President Biden took office.

Covid: Biden requires employees of big businesses to be vaccinated or face testing

President Biden is using his executive power to require that big companies vaccinate employees.

Boden boss declares the end of formal office wear

As the British brand celebrates 30th anniversary, its founder reflects on how fashion tastes have changed.

First UK LGBT business champion appointed

Iain Anderson says he will work to "build a bridge" between the government and LGBT community.

Amazon offers to pay college fees for 750,000 US staff

The online shopping giant says all US frontline workers will be eligible as it fights to attract new employees.

Ikea in talks to buy former Topshop flagship store

The Swedish furniture giant could gain space in the popular London shopping location.

Costa gives 5% pay rise to some staff and recruits 2,000

Costa said the 5% pay rise was to reward 14,500 staff for their hard work during the pandemic.

McDonald's plant burger launch late to vegan party

The chain announced its McPlant burger would be on offer nationwide next year, after years of research.

Ford is latest firm to stop making cars in India

The firm has run up losses of more than $2bn in India and demand for new vehicles has weakened.

The models that turned Instagram into their DIY catwalk

New York Fashion Week marks a tentative return - but how did supermodels keep working through Covid?

Three brings in EU roaming charges and ends global scheme

Three is the third UK network to bring back roaming charges for the EU post-Brexit.

KPMG seeks to increase working class staff numbers

By 2030, KPMG wants 29% of its senior staff to have had parents that worked in "routine and manual" jobs.

Numbers on furlough drop to new low

There has been "a striking fall" in the number of young people on furlough, says the Treasury.

EasyJet rejects takeover bid and plans £1.2bn share sale

The low-cost airline said on Thursday that a recent takeover approach undervalued the business.

888 agrees to buy William Hill European business

The online gambling firm has agreed to buy the non-US assets of betting chain William Hill for £2.2bn.

Driver shortage will raise prices, warns Morrisons

The supermarket chain and its rivals have seen gaps on shelves due to the lorry driver shortage.

UK on course to drop from Germany's top 10 trading partners

Customs rules take their toll as German companies swap UK suppliers for alternatives in the EU.

Ofgem: Soaring gas prices 'will feed into customer bills'

Ofgem has said that rising prices for fossil fuels, especially gas, will feed into household bills.

Facebook accused of allowing sexist job advertising

An investigation by Global Witness suggests its algorithm is biased in choosing who sees which ads.

UK 'cut climate pledges' to clinch Australia trade deal

Government ministers agreed to cut climate commitments to clinch the deal it has emerged.

Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes 'lied and cheated', trial hears

Elizabeth Holmes misled that blood testing devices worked, prosecutors say, as fraud trial begins.

Competition watchdog clears Viagogo-Stubhub merger

Viagogo can go ahead with its £3bn acquisition of rival StubHub, the CMA says.

Rihanna drops legal case against her father

The singer had accused her father of misusing her name to further his entertainment business.

Green and amber lists could go in travel rules shake-up

The BBC has been told that the green and amber categories could be removed and replaced with a new system.

Why tax pay packets more and not property?

The pandemic response has spurred a greater willingness to tax wages rather than property.

Government to shorten HGV driver testing process

"Rattled" government to fast-track lorry drivers to alleviate chronic shortage, BBC understands.

Ai Weiwei: Credit Suisse closed bank account over China

The Chinese artist says Credit Suisse closed his foundation's bank account over his "criminal record".

Amazon pays £492m in UK tax as sales surge to £20.6bn

The online retail giant saw UK sales rise by 50% last year amid a Covid-driven hike in demand.

Rents outside London rising at fastest rate since 2008

Rents are increasing at their fastest pace in more than 10 years, according to property website Zoopla.

Bitcoin crashes on first day as El Salvador's legal tender

Technological glitches plagued the first day of El Salvador accepting Bitcoin as legal tender.

Boeing: Directors to face investor lawsuit over fatal crashes

Shareholders can sue Boeing over claims it ignored safety warnings about its 737 Max plane, a US judge rules.

Why coders love the AI that could put them out of a job

Artificial intelligence is getting better at penning code but still a long way from working alone.

'I asked for flexible hours but ended up resigning'

Alice Thompson was awarded £185,000 after being told she could not work shorter hours to pick up her child.

Bank of England not yet requiring return to office

The Bank says staff will be expected in one day a week, but not if they have health concerns.

Triple lock pension pledge suspended for one year

It follows government concern that a big rise in earnings would have meant pensions increasing by 8%.

Game studio boss steps down over Texas abortion law

Tripwire boss John Gibson had said he was "proud" of the Supreme Court ruling on Texas abortion.

Water companies face chemical supply disruption

Firms are told they can temporarily reduce the amount of chemicals used to purify drinking water.

National Insurance rise could hit economy, business groups warn

The "extraordinary timing" of the rise in National Insurance could "derail" the recovery, employers say.

Perpetuus: Security review ordered into takeover of graphene firm

UK business secretary intervenes in a takeover of Perpetuus over links to a Chinese academic.

Fear and excitement in El Salvador as Bitcoin becomes legal tender

Millions of Salvadorians are expected to download a digital wallet app with $30 of free Bitcoin.

House prices at new high but pace of growth slows

Prices are rising slowly in London, but more rapidly in Wales and south-west England, the Halifax says.

'Young, black people have to work three times as hard'

This week sees the launch of a programme making high-flying careers more accessible.

Planned job cuts fall despite furlough deadline

August saw the fewest redundancies since 2014 despite plans to end furlough on 30 September.

Chip shortage could last into 2023, says car boss

The car industry needs to learn from the Covid "stress test", says Daimler chairman Ola Källenius.

UK fires up coal power plant as gas prices soar

The country has had to bring an old plant back online after a spike in the price of natural gas.

Kim Kardashian cypto ad singled out by financial watchdog

An Instagram ad by the influencer was criticised in a speech by FCA chairman Charles Randell.

'A hotel without linen is not a hotel'

The laundry firms that provide bed linen for hotels across the UK are facing an unprecedented crisis.

Social care: What would a National Insurance rise mean for me?

The government could raise National Insurance to help pay for social care in England.

Pensions: What is the triple lock and how does it work?

Speculation is mounting that the chancellor will change the policy governing state pension rises, but why?

M&S warns of new food supplies threat as Brexit rules change

Retailer warns of "significant disruption" to food imports when new paperwork comes in next month.

Cash incentives on student accounts squeezed

Upfront sums for opening an account are less generous than previous years, analysis shows.

England sees 'boom' in second homes flipped to holiday lets

More than 11,000 second homes become rental businesses since the pandemic began, research shows.

Staff shortages could last two years, says CBI

Industry body the CBI wants immigration rules eased for lorry drivers, welders, butchers and bricklayers.

Has Covid killed off business cards for good?

Sales of business cards have fallen sharply as a result of the pandemic.

Black intern: 'You just need to give us a chance'

Young black university students are being invited to apply for 2,000 internships at top companies.

When is a motor show not a motor show?

The BBC's Theo Leggett finds Germany's International Motor Show has become a mobility exhibition.

Glasgow company fined £150,000 for making nuisance calls

Glasgow-based DialADeal Scotland Ltd made more than half a million unsolicited calls between August 2019 and March 2020.

Ikea struggles with supply problems due to driver shortage

The furniture giant is among businesses struggling with a driver shortage due to Covid and Brexit.

Covid-19: Pub marquees could become permanent fixtures

Some of the outdoor seating set up by businesses in the pandemic could be allowed to remain.

Almost 50 shops a day disappear from High Streets

Britain's High Streets lost more than 8,700 stores in the first six months of 2021, research suggests.

Jobs market set for bumpy ride, says Resolution Foundation

Those still on furlough face uncertain times when the scheme ends, the Resolution Foundation says.

Heathrow criticises Border Force for 'unacceptable' queues

The airport says too few staff were on duty at passport control as families returned from holiday.

'Bitcoin fraud cost me £500,000'

A successful businessman saw his life savings wiped out when he fell victim to ruthless fraudsters.

What's it like to be in the 1% of female lorry drivers?

The chronic shortage of lorry drivers has led haulage firms to try to attract more women to the role.

Flu jab delay due to truck driver shortage

There are delays in deliveries of flu jabs to GPs in England and Wales due to driver shortages.

Covid: Watchdog launches new crackdown on PCR test firms

One company is under investigation and 19 others could face legal action following complaints.

Wine giant warns of possible Christmas shortage

The owner of Hardys wines says truck driver shortages could hit the busy festive season.

Asda to open more shops at Issa brothers' petrol stations

The supermarket plans to widely expand its Asda on the Move convenience stores by the end of 2022.

US jobs growth disappoints as recovery falters

The US economy added just 235,000 jobs in August, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics.

Lorry driver shortage prompts food price rise fear

Wholesalers are facing a "perfect storm" of adverse effects, warns one leading industry figure.

China set to open new stock exchange in Beijing

The announcement comes as Chinese firms come under intense scrutiny both at home and in the US.

Buy Now Pay Later: 'I'm stressed over debt'

One in ten Buy Now Pay Later shoppers have been chased by debt collectors, Citizen's Advice says.

Coin hoarding at home leads to charity plea

UK residents are hoarding an estimated £50m in loose change, according to UK Finance.

TCS: What does IT giant's new work model mean for India?

IT services giant TCS says it's ready to go back to the office after 18 months - how will that work?

Why picking a good company name is a tricky business

With the number of new start-ups soaring they all have to choose a name for themselves.

Councils hit by bin collection delays due to driver shortage

Some 18 councils across the UK are suffering waste collection delays due to a lack of bin lorry drivers.

GM to idle eight North American plants amid chip shortage

Output will halt at eight plants in the US, Mexico and Canada amid a global shortage of semi-conductors.

Food production in the UK at risk of moving overseas, warns industry

A retail group says shortages of drivers and other staff mean the sector is "just on the edge of coping".

China's media cracks down on 'effeminate' styles

The media regulator says it will shun "vulgar influencers" while casting a spotlight on stars' pay.

WhatsApp given second-largest GDPR fine

The Irish data watchdog has handed WhatsApp the second-highest ever GDPR fine.

Amazon offers punctual staff £50 for turning up

The online shopping giant says it will give a bonus to workers at some sites for good attendance.

Top Gun and Mission: Impossible films delayed due to US Covid spike

Tom Cruise's movies are put on hold as studios fear a recent US Covid spike will deter cinemagoers.

Gym Group sees demand surge as young people lack space at home

Gym Group says it has seen a "rapid recovery" in membership numbers and plans to open 40 more sites.

JD Sports perplexed by Footasylum deal knockback

The competition watchdog says it still has concerns the merger could lead to a worse deal for shoppers.

Afghanistan: Facebook says it helped people flee, including staff

The flight arrived in Mexico City on Wednesday, with 175 Afghan citizens on board, including 75 children.

China steps in to regulate brutal '996' work culture

Workers in China are fed up with the brutal 12-hour work days once seen as a key driver of success.

Driver shortage: 'I got a big pay rise overnight'

As the UK's shortage of lorry drivers continues, those with the right skills are very much in demand.

More students turn to crypto investing to plug financial gap

Three-quarters of students asked by website Save The Student said they had considered dropping out.

One in seven bookings failing to show up at restaurants

A report looking into the issue of no-shows says the hospitality sector loses £17bn a year from it.

Sackler family wins immunity from further opioid litigation

A US judge has approved a bankruptcy plan for the maker of OxyContin painkillers.

McDonald’s hiring 14 year-olds in Oregon amid labour shortage

An Oregon branch sees flood of applications after failing to recruit older workers.

Portugal changes vaccine rules for UK visitors

UK visitors no longer need to quarantine for 14 days if they can't prove they are fully vaccinated.

Wetherspoon runs low on beer amid driver shortage

The pub chain and a Coca-Cola bottler are among firms affected by a shortage of UK lorry drivers.

Amazon to recruit 55,000 staff for expansion drive

About 2,500 jobs will be created in the UK, with another 40,000 in the US.

CEO Secrets: 'I was making money, but had no money'

Honey boss Scott Davies says cash flow problems meant though he was profitable he "had no money".

JoJo Maman Bebe hikes prices for first time in 5 years

The baby goods retailer tells the BBC that it has to raise prices for the first time in five years.

UK house price rises accelerate, says Nationwide

Property prices are 13% higher than at the start of the pandemic, the building society says.

Transfer deadline day: Premier League spending tops £1bn but is down on previous year

Cristiano Ronaldo's move back to Manchester United on transfer deadline day helps to push Premier League clubs' spending past £1bn - but overall outlay has dropped.