The system to protect consumers from billions of pounds of scams is "fragmented and significantly underequipped", a report concludes.

Troubled care home provider Southern Cross is to hold a crisis meeting with landlords, lenders and the Department of Health on Wednesday.

The head of the US Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, warns politicians that blocking a rise in the debt ceiling could put US and global finance at risk.

Qantas airlines cuts its forecast for domestic growth as it grounds more flights due to ash from volcano in Chile.

Standard & Poor's downgrades its outlook for China's property market from stable to negative due to tightening credit policy

Sainsbury's reports "solid" sales growth for the past three months in what it calls a "tough consumer environment".

Ratings agency Moody's warns it may downgrade the credit rating of three French banks because of their exposure to Greek debt.

Unions say up to 750,000 public sector workers could take part in co-ordinated action later this month over pension changes, job cuts and a pay freeze.