BBC Business News

BBC News - Business
The latest stories from the Business section of the BBC News web site.

• Talks on Greece bailout restart
  Talks continue in Greece to try to agree new austerity measures needed to secure bailout funds and avoid defaulting on its debts.
• Borrowers 'shunning credit cards'
  Demand for credit cards is "feeling the strain" as UK borrowers turn to other forms of finance, a report suggests.
• Ministers 'can block rail bonus'
  Labour has urged ministers to block six-figure bonuses for Network Rail bosses, insisting they have the power to prevent such payouts.
• HTC profits up but outlook poor
  Taiwan smartphone maker HTC reports a 57% jump in annual profits, but it predicts a downbeat start to trading this year.
• House prices 'up 0.6% in January'
  UK house prices increased by 0.6% in January, according to the latest survey from the Halifax.
• P45 tax form is given a reprieve
  The P45 has been given a reprieve by the UK tax authority after employers said they did not want to see it go.
• Final bids for retailer Peacocks
  Six serious bidders remain in contention to take over the Cardiff-based clothing retail firm Peacocks, struggling with £750m debts, BBC Wales understands.
• Ofcom wants Openreach price cut
  Telecoms regulator Ofcom tells BT Group to cut the wholesale prices it charges for use of its lines
• China in EU carbon scheme 'ban'
  China tells its airlines not to pay charges to the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme, aimed at cutting carbon emissions.
• Bank lending 'to shrink' in 2012
  UK bank lending is set to shrink this year for the first time since 2009, according to the Ernst & Young Item Club.