Japanese researchers say they have found vast deposits of rare earth minerals, used in many hi-tech appliances, in the Pacific seabed.

The UK's five biggest banks launch a mentoring scheme for small businesses to provide support on issues such as finance and marketing.

The number of different mortgage products available in the UK market has risen to the highest level since November 2008, figures show.

The owners of Borders knitwear firm Lochcarron of Scotland announce its sale to Korean retail company E-Land.

Uncertainty surrounds the extent to which householders will change their behaviour when new smart meters are introduced, a report says.

Funding of social care in England needs a complete overhaul and the amount people must pay should be capped, an independent review is to recommend.

Standard & Poor's warns that current proposals for restructuring Greece's debt would effectively constitute a default.

Homeowners continued to inject equity into their homes at the start of 2011 - but not to the same degree as much of 2010, figures show.