One in three council tenants affected by recent cuts to housing benefits has fallen behind on rent since the policy took effect, figures suggest.

Asian stock markets are rising after the US central bank unexpectedly said it will not begin scaling back its massive economic stimulus programme.

The billionaire creator of Beanie Babies toys, Ty Warner, could face a prison sentence after agreeing to plead guilty to a charge of tax evasion.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has ordered a crackdown on pension schemes that offer poor value to millions of savers.

European stock markets follow Asia by rising after the US central bank unexpectedly said it would not begin scaling back its huge economic stimulus action.

Retail sales volumes fell 0.9% in August according to the Office for National Statistics, surprising analysts who had expected sales to increase.

The Greek finance minister says his country's economy is heading "slowly towards recovery" after it saw growth in the second quarter of the year.

The Republic of Ireland pulls out of recession after the economy grows by 0.4% in the second quarter of the year.