Economic News
ExxonMobil criticises California climate change hypocrisy
ExxonMobil has hit back at California communities that sued the company for the threat of rising sea levels to their jurisdictions.
Corbyn attacks May's handling of the NHS in the first PMQs of 2018
Jeremy Corbyn has attacked Prime Minister Theresa May for leading what he’s described as a crisis in the NHS and said she was "too weak" to sack the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt.
Apple forced to pay £137m in extra tax to UK tax authorities
Apple Europe has agreed to pay £137m of extra taxes in a ‘corporate income tax adjustment’ after an extensive audit by the HMRC of the company’s pre-2015 tax filings.
Companies bemoan UK suffering 'critical' skills shortage
UK firms are finding it harder than ever before to find skilled workers, with nearly three-quarters of the services industry struggling to recruit the employees they need.
Plastic bag charge to be extended to all shops in the UK
The UK government policy of charging 5p for plastic bags used at large retailers is expected to be extended to small shops in the UK.
Electric car makers face higher costs as Congo eyes higher cobalt tax
The Democratic Republic of Congo has taken the first steps towards hiking taxes on cobalt exports by more than double, a move that could potentially increase the cost of a key material used in electric car batteries.
Reports say China may slow US Treasury purchases, trade tensions cited
Longer-term US Treasury yields jumped to near their 2017-highs following a report that Beijing might be looking to slow or stop its purchases of American government debt.
US to loosen its nuclear weapons policy and develop low-yield bombs
Washington is planning on changing its nuclear weapons policy and developing more "usable" nuclear warheads for US on its Trident missiles.
Construction output disappoints as commercial building slides
UK construction output in November rose for the first time since August but growth remained weak and remained in decline at the underlying level.
Chinese consumer prices rise less than forecast in December
Chinese consumer prices fell short of forecasts in December alongside a drop in factory gate inflation in the Asian giant to a 13-month low, possibly opening the way up for looser central bank policy.
FCA warns of failings in firms providing CFDs to retail investors
Several City brokers providing contracts for difference (CFDs) to retail investors are causing "serious concern" at the UK financial regulator, which wrote to 19 providers with a warning about their conduct.
UK industrial production rises for eighth month in a row
UK industrial production notched up its strongest run of growth in 23 years as output from the manufacturing sector rose more than expected, official data showed on Wednesday.