Finance

950
RBS banker jailed after stealing £274k from struggling clients in bribery scandal
A Royal Bank of Scotland manager who stole nearly £250,000 from his customers has been jailed.
903
Pension funds pour £8bn into US gas terminals accused of driving climate damage and health risks
Trump’s war in Iran has boosted the fortunes of US gas companies – and UK savers are unwittingly bankrolling their expansion.
766
“Calamity coming”: Reeves trapped as borrowing surges and growth stalls
The Chancellor has left the nation completely unprepared for the unfolding disaster.
710
‘Critical diplomatic moment’ as Iran truce deadline nears, warns Cooper
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said “a critical diplomatic moment” is approaching as the end of a two-week US-Iran ceasefire draws near.
762
UK economy on brink as Iran blocks Strait of Hormuz and energy prices surge
Two reports from top accounting firms suggest the economy is on the brink as gas and oil prices surge following Tehran’s blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.
707
Downing street pushes for closer EU ties amid global trade and security pressures
Downing Street is striving to secure agreements on steel and electric cars with the EU as it aims to strengthen the post-Brexit economic relationship.
667
The UK economy grew by 0.5% in February prior to the chaos of the Iran war
The UK economy grew by a surprising 0.5% in February - but this was before the full impact of the Middle East war.
666
Chocolate giant Ferrero hit by EU raids in widening antitrust crackdown
Nutella maker Ferrero has been raided by EU officials as part of an investigation into possible uncompetitive practices.
749
Rolls-Royce SMR receives £599m boost to advance UK small modular reactor plans
Rachel Reeves’ flagship wealth fund has announced a new round of financing for Rolls-Royce SMR following its partnership with Ed Miliband’s state-owned energy company.
744
Apple UK revenue nears £5bn as iPhone demand drives growth
Apple UK racked up just shy of £5bn in turnover last year, as strong iPhone demand helped power growth across its British operations, according to newly filed accounts.
796
UK education scandal: 22,000 students face loss of financial support
More than 20,000 students have been informed they must repay university maintenance loans and grants after reportedly receiving them in error.
795
The UK completes US pharmaceutical deal allowing tariff-free access for British medicines
Britain has finalized a U.S.-UK pharmaceutical trade deal, granting tariff-free access for UK-made medicines to the United States in exchange for paying higher prices for new U.S. medicines.
707
Investor confidence wavers as Blue Owl Capital blocks withdrawals amid $5.4bn redemption surge in credit funds
A prominent private credit investment firm, Blue Owl Capital, has set a limit on withdrawals after investors attempted to withdraw $5.4 billion from two major funds, highlighting the latest indication of diminishing confidence in the unregulated lending market.
679
Scotland faces fuel crisis as stations run dry ahead of Easter weekend amid soaring prices
Petrol stations across Scotland have been forced to close today after running out of fuel ahead of the Easter weekend amid soaring prices.
807
$3.55 trillion is hidden as the global super-rich keep their wealth beyond the reach of tax authorities.
According to estimates from Oxfam, the global super-rich may have as much as $3.55 trillion hidden from tax authorities.
644
£7.5bn motor finance scandal sees millions owed payouts as FCA unveils compensation plan
Compensation payouts are due on around 12.1 million unfair motor finance deals, at an average of £829 each, the financial watchdog has said as it unveiled the final plans for its redress scheme.
748
Billions in benefits boost as MPs secure inflation-busting pay rise
MPs and benefit claimants are to receive bumper payments this week to help cushion them from the cost-of-living crisis.
870
Mastercard to sell Nets real-time payments unit as it shifts focus to stablecoins and digital assets
Mastercard is exploring the sale of the real-time payments business it acquired from Denmark’s Nets Group in 2019 for approximately $3.2 billion, effectively unwinding one of its largest acquisitions to date.
871
Lloyds under pressure as lawyers prepare £66mn compensation claim
Lloyds Banking Group is gearing up for a lawsuit from more than 30,000 consumers who claim to have been mis-sold car loans, in a sign that they believe that the regulator’s long-awaited redress scheme will favour large banks.
787
UK drivers face £100 fill-ups as fuel prices soar and Treasury cashes in on crisis
Next week, filling up an average-sized family car is likely to cost £100, writes Giles Sheldrick.
740
NS&I boss on £300k salary sacked amid outrage over lost savings and unpaid families
The boss of National Savings and Investments has been dismissed over a series of errors regarding payouts and its bereavement services.
862
Ministers criticised after £550,000 of taxpayer money spent on Headspace app for officials
The government has been accused of ‘blowing their money’ on ‘lifestyle perks’ after they spent more than £550,000 on meditation apps for civil servants since Covid.
834
Close Brothers to cut 600 jobs amid motor finance scandal costs
Banking group Close Brothers will slash roughly 600 jobs in the UK and Ireland over the next 18 months to cut down on annual costs by £85 million.
620
Welsh Water faces £44.7m enforcement package over sewage spills
Welsh Water is set to pay a proposed £44.7 million after the industry regulator found “serious and unacceptable” breaches in the supplier’s sewage and network services.
753
Global turmoil hits Volkswagen as automaker announces 50,000 job cuts
Europe’s largest automaker, Volkswagen, is set to shed 50,000 jobs by the end of the decade, as it faces declining sales in China and North America and punitive US tariffs imposed by Donald Trump.