Sick pay should be given to all public sector workers - even when they are hired by outside contractors, a union says.

Labour leader Ed Miliband is to warn the planned rise in VAT is the "wrong tax, at the wrong time", estimating it will cost the average family £7.50 a week.

Singapore's economy expanded at a record rate in 2010, driven by a surge in manufacturing activity as the global economy recovered.

Facebook has reportedly raised funds from Goldman Sachs and a Russian investor in a deal that values the social networking site at $50bn.

The eurozone's manufacturing sector ended 2010 enjoying strong growth with Germany leading the way, a survey has indicated.

UK retail sales will fall by about £2.2bn in the first quarter of 2011 because of the rise in VAT, according to a report.

Shares in German carmaker Porsche soar 12% after a US judge dismisses a lawsuit that threatened to de-rail a planned merger with Volkswagen

Fiat could take a majority stake in US carmaker Chrysler this year according to the Italian firm's chief, Sergio Marchionne.