BBC News - Business
The latest stories from the Business section of the BBC News web site.
Olympics 'boosting' Scots tourism
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:26:28 GMT
Tourist bookings for visits to Scotland around the time of the London Olympics are rising, it is claimed.
England players go unsold at IPL
Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:28:59 GMT
Seven England players and Ireland batsman Kevin O'Brien fail to attract bids at the Indian Premier League auction.
Bristol launches its own currency
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:14:28 GMT
Keeping it within the local economy
Ministers 'can block rail bonus'
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:21:09 GMT
Labour has urged ministers to block six-figure bonuses for Network Rail bosses, insisting they have the power to prevent such payouts.
Qantas CEO warns on airline laws
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:43:21 GMT
The chief executive of Qantas says the airline would be forced to cut services and jobs should pro-Australia airline bills be passed.
India telecom ruling 'harms' firm
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:36:30 GMT
Telecoms firm Uninor says it has been "unfairly harmed" by an Indian court ruling cancelling licences issued in 2008.
VIDEO: Your Money: Tips on money management
Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:09:48 GMT
In this week's Your Money, Declan Curry looks problems with pensions, considers the benefits of credit unions and gets some top tips on how to manage your money.
Indonesia growth at 15-year high
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:21:23 GMT
Indonesia's economy grows at its fastest pace in 15 years during 2011, boosted by increased investment and growing domestic demand.
Euro crisis 'could damage China'
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:27:28 GMT
A eurozone recession could almost halve Chinese growth this year, according to a report by the International Monetary Fund.
Test cricket on sticky wicket in Middle East
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:06:02 GMT
England-Pakistan Test match is not bowling fans over
VIDEO: My Bottom Line: Ken Weir
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:39:09 GMT
Honda Motors Europe vice-president Ken Weir argues that the UK needs to develop apprenticeships for the benefit of young people as well as companies and communities.
Personal insolvencies 'down 11%'
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:09:00 GMT
Fewer people were declared insolvent in 2011 in England and Wales than in 2010, but the number of companies going bust increased.
Tales of woe from the roaming professionals
Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:42:10 GMT
When working in a new country can prove unlucky
Debt questions answered by an expert
Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:43:23 GMT
A consumer expert answers readers' questions about debts
VIDEO: Heathrow flights hit by weather
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:42:54 GMT
The Independent's Simon Calder explains why Heathrow airport was so badly affected by the severe weather on Sunday.
Service sector sees strong growth
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:01:06 GMT
The UK's service sector grew at its fastest rate since March 2011 in January, according to a closely watched survey.
1.1 million face £100 tax fines
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:44:16 GMT
Just over one million taxpayers face a penalty of £100 for failing to submit their self-assessment tax returns on time, HM Revenue and Customs says.
Eurozone service sector growing
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:47:52 GMT
The eurozone's service sector grows for the first time in four months, although Spain and Italy continue to struggle.
Olympus calls shareholder meeting
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:40:05 GMT
Olympus shareholders will get the chance to question management about the accounting scandal as the firm calls an emergency meeting.
Bank lending 'to shrink' in 2012
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:41:38 GMT
UK bank lending is set to shrink this year for the first time since 2009, according to the Ernst & Young Item Club.
VIDEO: Why payday loans are on the up
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:54:54 GMT
Total bank lending in Britain is set to shrink for the first time since 2009 and the lack of credit from mainstream banks could help payday loan firms grow further.
Borrowers 'shunning credit cards'
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:31:58 GMT
Demand for credit cards is "feeling the strain" as UK borrowers turn to other forms of finance, a report suggests.
High Streets bid for £1m funding
Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:35:58 GMT
The government is looking for 12 run down High Streets in England to share £1m as a part of plans proposed by TV retail guru Mary Portas.
AUDIO: 'Unemployment emergency' in UK
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:52:23 GMT
David Miliband: A "deep structural problem" is breeding youth unemployment in Britain
Annuity sales 'unfair and opaque'
Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:01:34 GMT
The way annuities are sold is costing half a million retirees each year as much as £1bn in future pension income, the National Association of Pension Funds says.
Giving an invasive water pest the bullet
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:05:48 GMT
Wrestling one of the UK's most invasive pests
China in EU carbon scheme 'ban'
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:24:23 GMT
China tells its airlines not to pay charges to the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme, aimed at cutting carbon emissions.
Businesses 'cautious' on future
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:50:13 GMT
UK firms plan to cut back on capital investment and hiring as the UK economic outlook remains gloomy, a report suggests.
Score draw in TV football case
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:30:27 GMT
The Premier League and the importers of foreign satellite TV decoder boxes and cards are both claiming victory after their latest court battle
HTC profits up but outlook poor
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:10:09 GMT
Taiwan smartphone maker HTC reports a 57% jump in annual profits, but it predicts a downbeat start to trading this year.
PM urged to cut wind farm subsidy
Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:15:53 GMT
More than 100 Conservatives are among MPs who have written to the prime minister calling on him to slash subsidies for onshore wind turbines.
Web firms remove India material
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:56:52 GMT
Facebook and Google tell a court in India they have complied with an order to remove "objectionable" material, amid ongoing legal moves on censorship.
People problems plague Gulf start-ups
Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:38:12 GMT
Staffing issues plague Gulf start-ups
Credit unions hoping to widen net
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:53:24 GMT
Credit unions hope a new law will boost membership
Final bids for retailer Peacocks
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:47:23 GMT
Six serious bidders remain in contention to take over the Cardiff-based clothing retail firm Peacocks, struggling with £750m debts, BBC Wales understands.
House prices 'up 0.6% in January'
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:06:46 GMT
UK house prices increased by 0.6% in January, according to the latest survey from the Halifax.
VIDEO: Greece talks to resume
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:28:00 GMT
Party leaders in Greece are to resume talks on backing a 130bn euro bailout plan
Mitsubishi to close Europe plant
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:53:34 GMT
Japanese car maker Mitsubishi Motors says it is to end production at its only plant in Western Europe.
US job numbers show strong growth
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:45:26 GMT
The US economy created 243,000 jobs in January, while the unemployment rate fell to 8.3%, official figures show.
AUDIO: BGL's Winslow talks meerkats and management
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:48:58 GMT
Simon Jack hears from Peter Winslow, chief executive of BGL Group - the company behind compare the market.com among other businesses.
VIDEO: Eye-tracking helps advertisers
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:29:24 GMT
Developments in eye-tracking technology are helping advertisers predict what products will appeal to customers.
Bailout talks to resume in Greece
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:14:01 GMT
Party leaders in Greece are to resume crisis talks on new austerity measures demanded by EU leaders in return for funds needed to avoid defaulting on its debts.
Work contacts 'cut dropout rate'
Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:37:36 GMT
The more young people come into contact with employers the less likely they are to drop out of school and become unemployed, research suggests.
