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BBC News - Business

The latest stories from the Business section of the BBC News web site.

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.

VIDEO: Can Germany teach UK about banking?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:08:19 GMT

Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna explained why Labour was looking at international lessons of good practice in finance.

Hungarian airline Malev collapses

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:21:06 GMT

Hungarian airline Malev ceases trading after 66 years after being ordered by the EU to repay state aid it has received.

Work programme on track: Grayling

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:33:18 GMT

Around 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.

Tales of woe from the roaming professionals

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:42:10 GMT

When working in a new country can prove unlucky

UK recession looms, says report

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:02:24 GMT

The 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.

Europe hit by Russia gas shortage

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:28:56 GMT

Freezing weather sweeping across Europe is causing a shortage of vital Russian gas supplies to several countries, officials say.

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.

'Most' Portuguese unions back cuts

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:11:23 GMT

Most Portuguese unions back the government's structural reforms, the Portuguese economy minister, Alvaro Santos Pereira tells the BBC.

RBS boss calls for pay correction

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:40:08 GMT

The chairman of 82% taxpayer-owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) says banker pay has been "high for too long" and needs to be corrected.

Credit unions hoping to widen net

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:53:24 GMT

Credit unions hope a new law will boost membership numbers

VIDEO: Tett: Don't blame just the bankers

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:30:52 GMT

The woman credited with foreseeing the financial crash claimed people love to bash the bankers but they were not the only ones to blame.

Apple overturns Motorola's ban

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:10:08 GMT

Apple is granted a suspension of a sales ban imposed on some of its iPads and iPhones in Germany.

Giving an invasive water pest the bullet

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:05:48 GMT

Wrestling one of the UK's most invasive pests

Debt questions answered by an expert

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:43:23 GMT

A consumer expert answers readers' questions about debts

BT fibre optic 'game changer' vow

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:20:17 GMT

Fibre optic broadband connections to at speeds of 300 Mbps will be available 'on demand' in the UK next year, BT says.

New Virgin staff pay for checks

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:53:12 GMT

Virgin 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'

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.

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

VIDEO: RBS chairman defends Hester bonus

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:46:08 GMT

The chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Sir Philip Hampton, has defended his decision to award a bonus to chief executive Stephen Hester.

Cold front ad for Mini backfires

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:49:50 GMT

An 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.

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.

VIDEO: RBS boss: Banker pay too high

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:36:01 GMT

RBS chairman Sir Philip Hampton says chief executive Stephen Hester was 'entitled' to a near-£1million share bonus, which he later turned down.

VIDEO: Do the super-rich pay their way?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:53:43 GMT

Do the super-rich pay their way?

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.

VIDEO: RBS chairman: 'Bankers' pay too high'

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:53:03 GMT

The chairman of Royal Bank of Scotland has admitted that bankers' salaries are too high and need to come down.

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.

People problems plague Gulf start-ups

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:38:12 GMT

Staffing issues plague Gulf start-ups

'Sale and rent back' closed down

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:54:29 GMT

The sale and rent back industry has been almost completely closed down, says the Financial Services Authority.

UK download speed gains 'uneven'

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:02:49 GMT

Ofcom reports a 22% gain in the UK's average broadband download speed between May and November, but not all ISPs improved.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Greek leaders pause bailout talks

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:01:42 GMT

Party leaders in Greece's ruling coalition end talks on details for a crucial 130bn-euro EU rescue plan without agreement.

AUDIO: UK share of exports to India 'below Italy'

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:08:31 GMT

Just how good is the state of UK-India trade?

Panasonic predicts a record loss

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:11:05 GMT

Japanese electronics giant Panasonic forecasts a record net annual loss of $10bn for the year to March.

Test cricket on sticky wicket in Middle East

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:06:02 GMT

Why is the England-Pakistan Test match not bowling fans over?

Government to oppose rail bonuses

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:46:54 GMT

Transport Secretary Justine Greening says she will vote against bonuses for senior Network Rail executives at the company's annual general meeting.

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.