The top rate of VAT rises from 17.5% to 20% as the government looks to boost tax revenue to cut the budget deficit.

Two-thirds of small firms do not offer a pension, while many that do are not providing sufficient contributions, research suggests.

A fire ravages a 13th-Century Belgian abbey famous for its brewery but the monks escape unhurt and the vats are intact.

Barnes & Noble reports a rise in sales over the Christmas period, led by the popularity of its Nook electronic book reader.

The Queensland floods may have a "significant long-term effect" on the global steel industry, the state's premier warns.

The TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, has said 2011 would be a "horrible" year of cuts in jobs and living standards for many.

Bank robbers in Argentina tunnel into a bank vault to empty safety deposit boxes during new year weekend.

Approvals for home loans - notably for people remortgaging their properties - picked up slightly in November, figures show.