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UK unemployment in further fall

The UK unemployment and claimant count totals both fall, but the number of long-term unemployed rises.

EU attacks 'optimistic' outlooks

The European Union criticises the UK and other European nations for having "optimistic" growth assumptions and bloated deficits.

BA adds flights to strike dates

British Airways says it will increase the number of flights during the forthcoming strike as more staff volunteer to work.

Net piracy takes 'toll on jobs'

The growth of illegal file-sharing could cost European countries 1.2m jobs and 240bn euros by 2015, an industry report says.

Lebedev gets Independent go-ahead

Alexander Lebedev moved closer to control of the Independent newspapers after the deal was allowed by the Office of Fair Trading.

Bank minutes show unity on rates

Bank of England minutes show its Monetary Policy Committee all agreed to keep interest rates on hold at its last meeting.

Major banks in Italian fraud case

Four major banks have been ordered to stand trial in Italy in a fraud case related to derivatives trading.

Iran tightens petrol sanctions

Petrol within Iran is heavily subsidised but the ration is being cut - is there a link between that and the threat of petrol sanctions linked to its nuclear programme?

Arriva shares up on takeover bid

Shares in transport group Arriva climb by almost 20% after it confirms it has received its second takeover approach in as many months.

Champagne sales 'losing fizz' but UK is still top market

The UK is still the world's largest export market for Champagne despite a fall in sales, industry figures say.

Robert Peston

Should hedge funds be viewed as heroes?

Golden Goals

England sets out 2018 World Cup business case

Stephanomics

Job stats: Not lagging, but not leading either

Heeding the call

Irish ask for ideas to spark the recovery

Going bust

What to expect if you end up going bankrupt

'Sacked twice'

Cadbury workers' pain at Kraft's 'betrayal'

Oil price up as Opec holds quota

Oil prices extend gains above $80 a barrel after the Opec oil cartel sticks with its existing output targets.

Rise in fuel poverty 'expected'

Fuel poverty levels could rise to a new high unless more is done to improve the energy efficiency of homes, charities say.

US producer prices in sharp fall

Prices paid by US farms and factories fell by more than expected giving authorities room to hold official interest rates at current low levels.

Merkel backs eurozone exclusions

Germany's Chancellor Merkel says the eurozone should find a mechanism to exclude one of its members if necessary.

Google clients seek China plans

Firms in China that sell advertising on Google demand clarity about the internet company's plans in the region.

Japan boosts stimulus measures

Japan's central bank increases a stimulus measure aimed at encouraging financial institutions to lend more.

Iran and Pakistan sign gas deal

Pakistan and Iran sign a $7.6bn deal to build a long-delayed pipeline to transport Iranian natural gas to Pakistan.

Taxi panels to be made in China

Black cab maker Manganese Bronze says the panels and chassis of its TX4 vehicles will now be made in China.

Firm gets £80m for nuclear parts

Sheffield Forgemasters gets £80m government loan to manufacture parts for the nuclear power industry.

Italy's Unicredit to pay dividend

Italy's largest bank, Unicredit, announces a cash dividend amid a dispute with some of its shareholders.

New stores help Zara profit

Inditex, the parent of the Zara fashion chain, says profits rose 5% in 2009, helped by the opening of hundreds of new stores.

China GDP 'to grow 9.5% in 2010'

The World Bank raises its forecast for economic growth in China during 2010 to 9.5% from an earlier estimate of 9%.

Trial date for Rio Tinto workers

China has set a trial date for four Rio Tinto employees on charges including bribery, the Australian government says.

Benefit clawback 'must improve'

Benefit claimants owe £1.85bn in overpaid money but the government is recovering less than £300m a year, MPs say.

US interest rates 'to stay low'

The US Federal Reserve repeats its pledge to keep interest rates at "exceptionally low levels" to aid the recovery.

Expats lose pension freeze case

More than half a million UK pensioners living overseas will continue to have their pensions frozen after a court decision.

Banks may offer overdraft opt-out

Banks may make it easier for customers to opt out of using unauthorised overdrafts and paying fees.

Security fear over end of cheques

The abolition of cheques will push elderly people back into hoarding cash at home, campaigners tell MPs.

European car sales up in February

New car sales in Europe rose by 3.2% in February from a year earlier, but fell 30% in Germany as its scrappage scheme ended.

Petrol price 'to hit record high'

Petrol prices in the UK could hit a record average high of £1.20 a litre in the next few weeks, according to the AA.

S&P backs Greece deficit plan

Greece receives some positive news from the financial markets as ratings agency Standard & Poor's backs its economic recovery plans.

Honda recalls 410,000 cars in US

Japanese car manufacturer Honda has announced it is recalling 410,000 cars in the US because of complaints about their brakes.

BA unions agree to pension cuts

Trade unions at British Airways agree a plan to help cut the massive deficit in its two final-salary pension schemes.

Npower in Football League deal

Energy firm Npower signs a three-year deal worth £21m to become the new sponsor of the Football League.

California sues Toyota for faults

Prosecutors in California are suing Toyota, claiming the carmaker sold hundreds of thousands of vehicles it knew had defects.

Vauxhall gets UK loans guarantee

The UK announces a 300m-euro (£270m) loan guarantee for Vauxhall and Opel, the European arm of General Motors.

Call for Olympics tickets clarity

London 2012 organisers are urged to be up front about how many tickets will be available and how much they will cost.

Pompey deducted nine points

Debt-ridden Portsmouth are docked nine points by the Premier League for going into administration.

Guidelines for financial journalists