A parliamentary committee questions the length and quality of some apprenticeships, saying six month programmes are of no real benefit.

General Motors is to confirm within hours that Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant has been saved, securing the jobs of 2,100 staff, the BBC learns.

Japan's economy grows by 1.0% between January and March compared with the previous three months, official figures show.

Housing groups warn that problems in Britain's housing market are not being fixed, on the day that figures on new house building are due.

Toshiba halts production of LCD televisions in Japan as demand drops, a spokesman confirms to the BBC.

Spain's borrowing costs look set to spike in a bond auction on Thursday, as the Greek crisis saps confidence in other indebted economies.

David Cameron is expected to say it is his job to keep the UK safe whatever the fate of the eurozone.

Chinese demand for gold hit a record in the first quarter of 2012 and it remains the world's biggest market for gold, the World Gold Council says.