National business news, comment and analysis

Lagarde quizzed over pay-off deal May 23 2013

International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde has faced questions at a special Paris court over her role in the 400 million euro (£342 million) pay-off to a controversial businessman when she was France's finance minister.Read

Mandelson takes on ceremonial role May 23 2013

Lord Mandelson is to be installed in the ceremonial role of High Steward of Kingston Upon Hull.Read

April: Suspect's evidence resumes May 23 2013

The former slaughterman accused of abducting and murdering April Jones is to resume giving evidence after he denied "weaving a complex web of lies" about the schoolgirl's death.Read

Mark Bridger denies 'web of lies' May 22 2013

The former slaughterman accused of abducting and murdering schoolgirl April Jones has denied "weaving a complex web of lies" when "fabrications" about his life history were revealed to a jury.Read

Irish PM Kenny defends tax regime May 22 2013

Irish prime minister Enda Kenny has brushed off attacks on Ireland's tax regime for helping multinationals avoid billions in tax - insisting he was backing plans for global tax transparency and an end to tax havens.Read

UK 'still a long way from recovery' May 22 2013

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has put pressure on George Osborne to change economic course in a critical assessment of the state of the British economy.Read

Clegg: I discussed tax with Google May 22 2013

Nick Clegg raised the controversy over Google's tax affairs directly with the internet giant's boss Eric Schmidt at a meeting in Downing Street, the Deputy Prime Minister has revealed.Read

Police force to sell unused £11m HQ May 22 2013

A police force that spent more than £11 million on a headquarters it has never used has announced it will sell the site after it has been empty for five years.Read

Microsoft reveals Xbox One console May 21 2013

Microsoft has revealed the Xbox One, its next-generation entertainment console, during a presentation at its headquarters in Redmond, Washington.Read

Obama praises tornado rescuers May 21 2013

US president Barack Obama has spoken of his "gratitude" to rescuers who raced to help some of the thousands of people caught up in a deadly storm he described as "one of the most destructive tornadoes in history".Read

Dozens killed by 200 mph tornado May 21 2013

Dozens of people are feared dead, including seven children, after a huge tornado ripped through an Oklahoma town destroying scores of homes and a primary school.Read

Royal Mail posts £440m profits May 21 2013

Royal Mail unveiled a big jump in profits to £440 million as it took another step towards a possible stock market flotation later this year.Read

Inflation drop bigger than expected May 21 2013

Falling prices at the petrol pumps led to a bigger-than-expected drop in inflation in April, the first easing in the annual rate of price rises for six months.Read

Scores killed by 200 mph tornado May 21 2013

More than 90 people are feared dead, including 20 children, after a huge tornado ripped through an Oklahoma town destroying scores of homes and a primary school.Read

PM 'did not raise Google tax row' May 20 2013

Google's controversial tax affairs were not raised by David Cameron when the internet giant's boss joined Downing Street talks about tackling avoidance schemes, Number 10 said.Read

Farage moves to exploit Tory unrest May 20 2013

UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage has moved to exploit unrest within the Conservative ranks, urging discontented Tories to defect to his party.Read

High inflation is 'here to stay' May 20 2013

Households are facing a continued squeeze on their spending power after a leading forecaster warned that high inflation was here to stay.Read

Cameron calls for tax transparency May 20 2013

David Cameron has written to the leaders of Britain's offshore tax havens stressing the need to "get our own houses in order" as he pushes for international action to tackle avoidance schemes.Read

Cable denies plotting against Clegg May 19 2013

Business Secretary Vince Cable has refused to rule out becoming leader of the Liberal Democrats, but insisted that it was "not something I'm thinking about".Read

Politics of New Labour era 'over' May 19 2013

One of the key architects of New Labour said that the politics of the Blair-era government was over and that it was time for a new generation with new ideas.Read