Latest news from BBC Business
US job numbers show strong growthThe US economy created 243,000 jobs in January, while the unemployment rate fell to 8.3%, official figures show.Work programme on track: GraylingAround 20% of unemployed people who have been on the government's main welfare-to-work scheme, the Work Programme, for at least 6 months have been found a job, the BBC has learnt.New Virgin staff pay for checksVirgin Atlantic is forcing successful job applicants to pay for their own criminal record checks, Radio 4's Money Box reveals.Annuity sales 'unfair and opaque'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.RBS boss calls for pay correctionThe chairman of 82% taxpayer-owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) says banker pay has been "high for too long" and needs to be corrected.Europe hit by Russia gas shortageFreezing weather sweeping across Europe is causing a shortage of vital Russian gas supplies to several countries, officials say.Apple overturns Motorola's banApple is granted a suspension of a sales ban imposed on some of its iPads and iPhones in Germany.Service sector sees strong growthThe 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 finesJust 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.Personal insolvencies 'down 11%'Fewer people were declared insolvent in 2011 in England and Wales than in 2010, but the number of companies going bust increased.BT cuts costs to increase profitsTelecoms group BT reports a sharp rise in profits, thanks largely to a jump in the number of broadband users.UK recession looms, says reportThe UK will enter recession in the first half of the year as households continue to cut back, says the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.Score draw in TV football caseThe Premier League and the importers of foreign satellite TV decoder boxes and cards are both claiming victory after their latest court battleGame shares soar on lending dealShares in video game retailer Game Group soar by 40% after lenders revise the firm's banking arrangements.Eurozone service sector growingThe eurozone's service sector grows for the first time in four months, although Spain and Italy continue to struggle.'Sale and rent back' closed downThe sale and rent back industry has been almost completely closed down, says the Financial Services Authority.Mobility aid sellers in spotlightAction has been taken against mobility aids traders following a warning from the regulator over sales of the products.Uganda signs oil production dealOil production is set to start in Uganda after a deal is signed between the government and London-based Tullow oil, which also draws in Chinese and French firms.Panasonic predicts a record lossJapanese electronics giant Panasonic forecasts a record net annual loss of $10bn for the year to March.Cold front ad for Mini backfiresAn advertising agency for BMW pays to name Europe's cold weather "Cooper" in Germany, after the firm's Mini Cooper car, but the stunt backfires.UK download speed gains 'uneven'Ofcom reports a 22% gain in the UK's average broadband download speed between May and November, but not all ISPs improved.Hackers fool bank security systemCriminal hackers have found ways around new security devices used for online banking, the BBC has learned.MPs reverse Lords welfare defeatsMPs overturn a series of defeats inflicted on the government's welfare reform bill by peers, voting to reinstate child benefit into the proposed £26,000 total cap on payments.Ash claims finally given go-aheadSome 300 travellers with insurance claims resulting from the ash cloud disruption in May 2010 will finally have their cases resolved.MPC member attacks lending cutsA member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee criticises banks for not lending enough to businesses and asks if they are "risk-averse jerks".China 'considering' eurozone helpPremier Wen Jiabao says Beijing is "considering" contributing to European rescue funds, during a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.Bank says Irish recession to stayIreland's Central Bank says the country's domestic economy will remain in recession through 2012.Hungarian airline Malev collapsesHungarian airline Malev ceases trading after 66 years after being ordered by the EU to repay state aid it has received.Pilkington to close one UK lineThe owner of the glass manufacturer Pilkington says it will close one of its three UK production lines as it cuts costs.Interest rate 'collusion' probeSwiss authorities investigate 12 US, European and Japanese banks over claims they have been fixing their interbank lending rates.Redknapp lies 'extremely telling'Harry Redknapp's admission of lying to a News of the World reporter is "extremely telling", a court is told.Olympics 'boosting' Scots tourismTourist bookings for visits to Scotland around the time of the London Olympics are rising, it is claimed.Sports shirts may feature EU flagThe European Parliament votes after a heated debate to back a call for national sports teams to wear the EU flag on their shirts.VIDEO: RBS boss: Banker pay too highRBS chairman Sir Philip Hampton says chief executive Stephen Hester was 'entitled' to a near-£1million share bonus, which he later turned down.VIDEO: Can Germany teach UK about banking?Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna explained why Labour was looking at international lessons of good practice in finance.AUDIO: UK share of exports to India 'below Italy'Just how good is the state of UK-India trade?VIDEO: RBS chairman: 'Bankers' pay too high'The chairman of Royal Bank of Scotland has admitted that bankers' salaries are too high and need to come down.AUDIO: BGL's Winslow talks meerkats and managementSimon Jack hears from Peter Winslow, chief executive of BGL Group - the company behind compare the market.com among other businesses.VIDEO: Tett: Don't blame just the bankersThe woman credited with foreseeing the financial crash claimed people love to bash the bankers but they were not the only ones to blame.VIDEO: RBS chairman defends Hester bonusThe chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Sir Philip Hampton, has defended his decision to award a bonus to chief executive Stephen Hester.VIDEO: Glencore in talks to buy XstrataGlencore, the world's biggest commodities trader, is in talks to buy Xstrata, a deal that would create a mining group worth $80bn.Credit unions hoping to widen netCredit unions hope a new law will boost membership numbersVIDEO: Do the super-rich pay their way?Do the super-rich pay their way?Test cricket on sticky wicket in Middle EastWhy is the England-Pakistan Test match not bowling fans over?The internet's secret black marketOut of reach of regular internet searches is a secret online worldGiving an invasive water pest the bulletWrestling one of the UK's most invasive pestsComments on Zuckerberg letterDecoding Mark Zuckerberg's letter to investorsRolls-Royce opens Singapore plantRolls-Royce starts up engine production in Singapore
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