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UK Business Headlines from BBC, FT, and SKY NEWS

Written by Grant Melrose

Here you can see, side by side, today's UK business news from the BBC, Financial Times and SKY News.

BBC News - Business

Wrong tax bill for millions in UK
Almost six million people in the UK have paid the wrong amount of income tax in the past year, with some facing a bill of up to £1,400 - although others can expect a rebate.
Six million facing new tax bills
HM Revenue and Customs says some 1.4 million people each owe about £1,500 in tax, while 4.3 million will get an average rebate of £418.
Cairo literary business booming
Egypt's literary scene is thriving, with a new generation of writers and poets taking advantage of an increasing number of small publishers and social networking sites to get their work noticed.
Industry fears over cheaper coins
Vending machine companies warn cheaper "steel" 5p and 10p coins being considered by the Treasury could cost the industry millions of pounds.
Banks leave customers in 'poverty'
High Street banks have been accused of leaving some customers in "dire poverty" after taking money out of their accounts without permission.
Nigerian economy 'to grow by 10%'
Nigeria's economy will hit double-digit growth by the end of 2011 or early 2012, the country's finance minister says.
Bank customers in 'dire poverty'
Banks are accused of leaving some customers in "dire poverty" after taking money out of their accounts without permission.
Petrobras files $65bn share offer
The Brazilian state oil company, Petrobras, unveils plans to sell up to $64.5bn of new stock, in one of the world's largest share offers.
HSBC threatens to quit London HQ
HSBC may quit its London headquarters if the UK government decides to break up big banks, a senior executive says.
Expert views
Economists remain divided over the merits of spending cuts
UN calls special food price talks
The United Nations' food agency calls a special meeting of policy makers to discuss the recent rapid rises in food prices.
Global food prices reach 20 year high
Global food prices have reached a 20 year high and there are concerns they could climb even further after Russia decided to extend its ban on wheat exports.
US sees 54,000 jobs go in August
The US economy shed another 54,000 jobs in August, the third month in a row that jobs have been lost, official figures show.
BP says oil spill cost up to $8bn
BP says the cost of its Gulf of Mexico oil spill has risen to $8bn - a rise of more than $2bn in the last month alone.
3D cameras and web TVs on show
Rory Cellan-Jones tries out 3D video equipment and looks at the latest ultra thin and bright OLED TVs.
Shift in home loan availability
The cost of mortgages is continuing to fall and they are becoming more accessible to some borrowers, figures show.
Massive Mini
How far can BMW stretch the brand before it snaps?
Past is the future
The lacemaking factory going back to traditional methods to survive
'Big drop' in alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption has fallen faster than ever, figures from the British Beer and Pub Association suggest.
Shopping malls: saviour or curse?
Meadowhall in Sheffield was one of the first giant shopping centres in the UK. What sort of effect has it had on the local area?
UK builders and services falter
New data shows new construction orders contracted in the second quarter, while the services sector slowed sharply in August.
Travel compensation and charges
Travel expert Simon Calder has more advice for people doing battle with airlines and agents.
Stock market gloom
August was tough, but there were glimmers of hope
Rush to buy
Fear sparks stockpiling of food in Russia as prices soar
Andean gold in $3bn bidding war
Rival Canadian gold mining companies, Goldcorp and El Dorado, lock horns in a $3bn fight to buy up Andean Resources.
Chinese consider rival Potash bid
Chinese investors approach Canadian pension fund over a possible rival bid for the fertiliser giant Potash Corporation.
Mozambique prices 'irreversible'
The government of Mozambique says price rises which have led to deadly riots are "irreversible", as Maputo residents are urged to continue their protests.
Delhi loses patience with Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games were meant to showcase Delhi, but the Indian capital is struggling to be ready on time amid accusations of poor planning, reports the BBC's Geeta Pandey.
Europe agrees finance watchdogs
The European Union agrees to reform financial supervision, with new agencies to oversee banks, insurers and financial markets.
The mint with a whole lot of food miles
A British discount store is buying in Polo mints from Indonesia even though the same mints are being manufactured just a mile up the road in York.
Russia extends grain export ban
Russia will consider lifting its grain export ban only after the next year's harvest has been reaped, Vladimir Putin says.
Burger King is sold for $3.26bn
Burger King is being sold to private equity firm 3G Capital in a deal valued at $3.26bn (£2.1bn), it has been announced.
Dell pulls out of battle for 3Par
Dell withdraws its bid for 3Par after rival Hewlett-Packard raises its offer for the data storage company to $2.1bn.
Four power firms face sales probe
Four of the "big six" UK energy suppliers are to be investigated amid concerns of mis-selling to customers, the regulator says.
Plans for more £5 notes in ATMs
All banks and building societies have put in place plans to begin dispensing £5 notes from the cash machines, a report reveals.
ECB ups eurozone growth forecasts
The European Central Bank raises its forecast for eurozone growth for this year and next year, and keeps interest rates on hold.
RBS to cut a further 3,500 jobs
Royal Bank of Scotland is planning to cut 3,500 jobs from its technical and back office division.
Bird business
The back-breaking, ear-splitting work on Peru's guano islands
House prices fall again in August
House prices fell for the second month in a row in August, according to the Nationwide building society.
Hawk-Eye firm lined up for sale
The British company behind the Hawk-Eye ball-tracking technology used in tennis and cricket is to be put up for sale.
Premier League spending tumbles
Spending by English Premier League clubs in the summer transfer window has tumbled 22% from last year, a report says.
Paying the price
PayPal's co-founder worked so hard he would sleep in the office

FT.com - UK Business news

Oak's £350m leisure park plan takes root
After some delay, the local council grants permission for Oak Holdings to create one of Europe's biggest leisure and convention centres in South Yorkshire
UK house building recovery slows
Data from the Office for National Statistics show that demand for residential developments fell 24% during the three months to July, while government-funded housebuilding dropped by 23%
New homes data spell declining market
The recovery in house building appears to have halted as an industry survey, which measures the number of people reserving new homes to buy, dropped to its lowest level on record
Tabloid probe sparks New York spat
The revival of an investigation into claims of phone hacking at the News of the World has turned into a battle between Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal and its rival the New York Times
Police pressed to reopen hackers case
The Metropolitan Police are under renewed pressure to reopen their inquiry into telephone hacking at News of the World after Alan Johnson said he would review documents he saw on the case while home secretary
Pakistan cricketers released without charge
The Pakistan trio at the centre of cricket's corruption probe were released without charge after being interviewed by police again as the game's governing body insisted that the sport was not riddled with betting scams
BP bill for Gulf oil spill hits $8bn
BP said it had spent almost $2bn in the last month responding to its Gulf of Mexico oil spill, even as it plugged the leak, taking its total bill for the catastrophe to $8bn
Audio slideshow: The City's changing skyline
New buildings in the City of London aren't just about height – communal spaces for workers are just as important. Dan Thomas took a guided tour to find out
Weak service data add to slowdown fears
Service sector activity grew at the weakest pace in 16 months in August, heightening fears that the economy is beginning to stall
Nadir remanded on bail after Old Bailey appearance
Asil Nadir could face a trial as early as next October after he was remanded on bail at his first appearance in a British court since he fled the country 17 years ago.
BBC's impartiality under question
The BBC was forced to defend its neutrality after its director-general met senior aides to David Cameron to discuss its political coverage
Mayor's plan to limit Tube strike impact
Extra buses and river services and a series of guided cycle rides are due to operate in London next week as the capital prepares for the first system-wide London Underground strike in 15 months
Pubs point to fall in alcohol consumption
British Beer & Pub Association releases figures showing the biggest one-year fall in alcohol intake for 60 years
Transocean chief faces grilling by MPs
The managing director of the North Sea operations of Transocean, the drilling contractor involved in the BP Gulf of Mexico spill, will be grilled by MPs next week on the risks of deep-water drilling
Alarm at MoD science agency remit
Britain's defence industry is heading for a clash with the government over the role of its science and technology agency amid concern over the shrinking budget for research

Sky News | Business | First For Breaking News

Tax Blunder: A Million Face £1,500 Bill Shock
More than one million people are facing a £1,500 bill for not paying enough tax thanks to a blunder at HM Revenue and Customs.
Ryanair: Abolish Co-Pilots To Save Cash
Airline pilots have accused Ryanair's Michael O'Leary of endangering passengers' safety after he called for co-pilots to be replaced with air stewardesses.
US Economy Sheds Another 54,000 Jobs
Unemployment in the US is up for the third month in a row - with the loss of another 54,000 jobs.
Pub Chain Serves Up Jobs For 16-Year-Olds
Discount pub chain JD Wetherspoon has announced plans to create 1,000 jobs for school leavers aged 16 and 17.
Food Price Fear Over Russia Wheat Ban
Russia has extended the ban on wheat exports until next year's harvest, sparking fears over a global food shortage.

BBC News - Home

Two killed as aeroplanes collide
Two people are killed when their plane crashes to the ground after a collision with another aircraft on the Isle of Wight.
Protests over French Roma policy
Thousands attend rallies in Paris and other French cities to protest at the government's policy of deporting Roma people.
Pietersen hits ton as Surrey tie
England batsman Kevin Pietersen returns to form with 116 as Surrey tie their final CB 40 game with Sussex.
Name released after city death
Police release the name of a man who was found dead at his apartment in Armagh city on Friday.
More cuts in councillors proposed
More plans to reduce the number of councillors in Wales are put forward to create what ministers say would be greater fairness for voters.
Six million facing new tax bills
HM Revenue and Customs says some 1.4 million people each owe about £1,500 in tax, while 4.3 million will get an average rebate of £418.
Blair pelted with eggs in Dublin
Shoes, eggs and plastic bottles are thrown at Tony Blair as he arrives at a book-shop in Dublin to sign copies of his memoirs.
Rider airlifted at horse trials
Scottish event rider Nicola Malcolm is airlifted to hospital after falling from her horse during the Burghley Horse Trials.
Belarus web activist found hanged
A Belarus opposition website activist found hanged at his home outside Minsk committed suicide, officials say.
Tropical storm Earl hits Canada
Tropical Storm Earl reaches Nova Scotia, on the eastern Canadian coast, with tens of thousands of people experiencing power cuts.
Burnt body found on golf course
A badly-burnt body is found in undergrowth between the 17th and 18th holes of an East Sussex golf course.
Balls seeks phone hack statement
Labour leadership hopeful Ed Balls says the home secretary should make a statement about claims of phone tapping by the News of the World.
Irish citizen dies in plane crash
A 26-year-old man from the Irish Republic is among nine people killed in a plane crash in New Zealand.
Dawson facing spell on sidelines
England and Tottenham defender Michael Dawson will miss the game with Switzerland after being ruled out for at least six weeks.
Karzai sets up Taliban talks body
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has formed a committee to seek peace talks with the Taliban, his office says.
Live text - US Open day six
Roger Federer takes on Paul-Henri Mathieu after wins for Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova and a shock defeat for Jelena Jankovic on day six of the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
Funeral for festival death star
The funeral is held of singer Charles Haddon from Northamptonshire who died in a fall in Belgium.
'Death squad'
The merciless drugs gang spreading fear in Mexico
Police chief raps Moat coverage
Chief Constable Peter Fahy says it was "not right" that TV broadcasters covered the last hours of gunman Raoul Moat on a live rolling basis.
Spud U Like? Gardener chipper over his super-spud
An amateur gardener grows what he believes to be the largest potato in the world.
Tory defects over schools scheme
A Tory councillor defects to Labour over cuts to the government's schools building programme, saying she was "ashamed to be a Conservative".
Officers could face crash charges
Two police officers who crashed a sports car seized from a suspected drink-driver could face prosecution.
England boss happy with Mushtaq
England coach Andy Flower says he is satisfied with spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed's role within the team despite previous links with illegal bookmakers.
Overnight curfew after NZ quake
Police declare an overnight curfew in Christchurch, New Zealand, after a powerful earthquake causes considerable damage but no fatalities.
Reporter's dilemma
Should a journalist bear witness, or interfere to help save a life?
Blair pelted with eggs in Dublin
Eggs and shoes have been thrown by anti-war protestors at former Prime Minister Tony Blair as he arrived at a book signing in Dublin.
South Korea FM offers to resign
The South Korean Foreign Minister, Yu Myung-hwan, offers to resign after it was revealed that his daughter was offered a job in his ministry.
Pakistan trio keen to see row end
A lawyer for the three Pakistan players at the centre of allegations of corruption says they are keen for a "timely and satisfactory outcome" to the affair.
Chile miners advised to exercise
Scientists from the US space agency Nasa advise the trapped Chilean miners to exercise and regulate their day and night sleep patterns.
Village £550,000 broadband quote
Villagers told by BT it will cost £550,000 for a broadband connection receive an estimate from another company of £50,000.
Afghan violence 'will get worse'
Violence in Afghanistan will get worse before it gets better, the UK's most senior military commander in the country tells the BBC.
Nine die in New Zealand air crash
Nine people, including four tourists, are killed when a light aircraft crashes after taking off from Fox Glacier in New Zealand, say reports.
Making music from children's old toys
The Modified Toy Orchestra is a band made up of five musicians - and 48 tweaked toy instruments.
Five Minutes
Author Ian McEwan on writing, walking and quantum mechanics
Council could cut over 1,000 jobs
One of Scotland's largest councils - North Lanarkshire - warns that it may have to cut more than 1,000 jobs.
Star Chamber secrets
The spending review's political arm-wrestling contest
Netherlands coalition talks fail
Talks to form a coalition government in the Netherlands collapse as the leader of the far-right Freedom Party Geert Wilders walks out.
Imran Khan on corruption in cricket
The former Pakistan cricket captain, Imran Khan, has said that if players are found guilty of spot fixing, they should not be given a life ban, which some officials are demanding.
Poll 'backs move from New Labour'
A poll commissioned by Ed Miliband's leadership campaign finds voters are less likely to vote Labour if there is not a shift from New Labour policies.
Eddie who?
The most famous comic you've never heard of
Music tuition falling, poll says
Fewer children are learning to play a musical instrument than in their parents' generation, a survey suggests.
Reading Arabic 'hard for brain'
Israeli scientists believe they have identified why Arabic is particularly hard to learn to read.
Blair in 'radical Islam' warning
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair tells the BBC that radical Islam is the greatest threat facing the world.
Castro addresses rally in Havana
Fidel Castro addresses a rally for the first time since handing the Cuban presidency to his brother Raul in 2006.
Canine Cinema gets audience howling
In an attempt to reach people who do not normally go to the cinema, Shetland film festival is targeting their pets.
‘We were woken by the earthquake’
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake strikes New Zealand's South Island, causing widespread minor damage and power cuts.
Robbie Williams turns on Blackpool lights
Thousands of people watch Robbie Williams switch on Blackpool's illuminations.
Petrobras files $65bn share offer
The Brazilian state oil company, Petrobras, unveils plans to sell up to $64.5bn of new stock, in one of the world's largest share offers.
Clinton warns on Mid-East talks
The US secretary of state warns the current round of Mid-East peace talks may be "the last chance for a very long time".
Pakistan rally bomb kills dozens
A bomb kills at least 50 people at a Shia Muslim rally in the south-western city of Quetta, the second attack on Pakistan's religious minority in days.
Mozambique police fire at rioters
Police in Mozambique's capital fire rubber bullets on the third day of riots, as the violence spreads to the central city of Chimoio.
HSBC threatens to quit London HQ
HSBC may quit its London headquarters if the UK government decides to break up big banks, a senior executive says.
Week in pictures
Striking pictures from around the world this week
DJs unite for Love Parade track
Three of the world's most successful club DJs join forces to pay tribute to those who died at the Love Parade festival in Germany in July.
Plans for solar 'close encounter'
Nasa is aiming to get closer to the Sun than ever before, with plans to plunge a car-sized unmanned spacecraft into the star's outer atmosphere.
UN calls special food price talks
The United Nations' food agency calls a special meeting of policy makers to discuss the recent rapid rises in food prices.
Lib Dem veteran Cyril Smith dies
The former Liberal Democrat MP Sir Cyril Smith has died aged 82, his family and party confirm.
Panda twins delight Japanese zoo
New-born twin giant pandas made their first public appearance at a zoo in Japan on Friday in Shirahama.
Wolves fail to halt aspen decline
The re-introduction of wolves to a US National Park has not helped re-establish quaking aspens, as many researchers had hoped.
US sees 54,000 jobs go in August
The US economy shed another 54,000 jobs in August, the third month in a row that jobs have been lost, official figures show.
BP says oil spill cost up to $8bn
BP says the cost of its Gulf of Mexico oil spill has risen to $8bn - a rise of more than $2bn in the last month alone.
Sarah Kennedy leaves BBC Radio 2
Veteran broadcaster Sarah Kennedy is leaving BBC Radio 2's Dawn Patrol show - 34 years after joining the station
What does the future hold for television?
Rory Cellan-Jones tries out 3D video equipment and looks at the latest ultra thin and bright OLED TVs.
Men in short supply in primaries
One in four state primary schools in England has no male teacher, statistics show.
'No evidence' implants are toxic
Tests on a type of breast implant filled with an unapproved gel have shown no evidence they are unsafe, UK experts say.
Fox rules out French 'ship share'
Defence Secretary Liam Fox rules out the UK sharing aircraft carriers with France as part of closer defence co-operation.
Autobiographies of the rich and famous
Tony Blair's memoirs has become the fastest selling autobiography in Britain. But what are the biggest overall sellers?
PS3 hack escapes court challenge
Sony has won a permanent ban in Australia of a hack for its PS3, but the code behind it has been released for free on the web.
Cheryl and Ashley granted divorce
Cheryl and Ashley Cole are granted a divorce at the High Court after four years of marriage.
Sharks swarm off Australian coast
Hundreds of sharks have been spotted off the Queensland coast.
Japan imposes new Iran sanctions
Japan imposes new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme but maintains its oil import schedule.
Method to trace persistent CFCs
Ultrafine measurements of atmospheric gases could help scientists track down the last sources of CFCs thought to be slowing the recovery of the ozone layer.
School lottery 'failed in aim'
England's first city-wide lottery system aimed at solving the problem of allocating places at over-subscribed schools failed to give poorer children equal access to top schools, academics say.
Don't let the bed bugs bite
The world is on the verge of a bed-bug pandemic, according to a report - how did the tiny biting insects come to pose such a threat?
Compost sparks Legionnaire's fear
Gardeners are being warned about the risk of Legionnaire's disease from compost after a pensioner developed the disease after handling compost.
Memristor revolution backed by HP
A potentially revolutionary circuit component, once a laboratory curiosity, is to be mass-produced for the first time.
Global broadband divide revealed
The global disparity in access to broadband around the world and the cost of a connection is revealed by UN figures.
Propping up a prime minister
Tony Blair used alcohol as a 'prop' during his time in power but how many of us do the same?

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UK Business Headlines from BBC, FT, and SKY NEWS

Business News, BBC

Business News, FT

Business News, SKY

Front Page News, BBC