Silicon Valley Bank, the US hi-tech investment bank with $20bn in assets, opens its first UK branch offering banking and loan services to the UK tech industry.

The government has launched a review into the future of apprenticeships in England to ensure they serve the needs of business.

A survey of businesses says short-term business prospects have improved but the eurozone crisis may dent longer-term growth.

The euro makes gains against the dollar and the yen as markets react to the eurozone deal aimed at shoring up Spain's troubled banks.

China's export growth rise, while inflation slows, in a sign of strength in the world's second biggest economy.

Tesco's UK sales fall 1.5% over the past three months, in what the retailer said was "a challenging quarter for the industry as a whole".

The International Air Transport Association almost doubles its forecast for losses at European airlines to $1.1bn (£706m) for 2012.

Flybe reports an annual loss after a "challenging year", saying it was affected by the weak UK economy and record fuel prices.