News

We’ve teamed up with the BBC to bring you the very latest business and finance news as it happens.

• Scrap proposed England holiday tax, hospitality bosses urge

  Critics say the proposed tax could force families to shorten trips or spend their money overseas.

• Instagram boss: 16 hours of daily use is 'problematic,' not addiction

  Instagram's Adam Mosseri faced questioning about the impact of his platform on minors.

• Russia moves to block WhatsApp in messaging app crackdown

  WhatsApp says the move aims to push its 90 million users in Russia to a "state-owned surveillance app".

• Lloyds Banking Group to close another 95 branches

  The closures have been announced days after Santander said it would shut branches.

• 'Fear and alienation': Senior Co-op staff complain of 'toxic' culture at the top

  Lawyers for the Co-op said they do not believe the complaints represent the broader views of staff

• US jobs see surprise growth in January after weak 2025

  Employers added a greater than expected 130,000 jobs in January, according to the latest figures.

• The Dutch love four-day working weeks, but are they sustainable?

  The Netherlands has the lowest working hours in Europe, but some say it is harming its economy.

• Oatly loses long-running 'milk' battle with dairy lobby

  The plant-based drink maker can no longer use the term 'milk' to market its products.

• Serial rail fare evader fined £3,600 over 112 unpaid tickets

  Charles Brohiri travelled without buying a ticket on 112 train journeys over a period of nearly two years.

• More than 180 survivors engaged in Harrods abuse redress scheme

  The late Mohamed Al Fayed has been accused of sexual harassment during his time as owner.

• Children bombarded with weight loss drug ads online, says commissioner

  The Children's Commissioner suggested social media advertising for children should be banned.

• Disney advert banned for showing 'disturbing' severed body

  Disney argued the severed figure in the advert was a robot and "visually distinct from a human".

• Wrapped helps Spotify add users despite artists' criticism over fees

  The Swedish music giant saw record users despite artists saying they aren't paid enough to put their music on the platform.

• Ford says it took an extra $900m tariff hit last year

  The US carmaker's tariff costs were higher than expected because of a change to the Trump administration's tariff relief program.

• US consumer spending slowed in December - Is it a warning for the economy?

  Retail sales were unexpectedly flat in December as consumers pulled back, raising questions about a broader economic slowdown.

• BP steps up cost cutting as profits slide

  The oil giant also suspends its share buyback programme ahead of the arrival of its new boss.

• Wegovy maker sues rival over 'knock-off' weight-loss drugs

  Novo Nordisk says Hims & Hers' drugs breach its patent; Hims & Hers calls the lawsuit a "blatant attack".

• More solar farms on the way after record renewables auction

  The results have been welcomed by climate and clean energy groups but could face opposition from local communities.

• Instagram and YouTube owners built 'addiction machines', trial hears

  The tech giants are under scrutiny over social media addiction in a landmark jury trial in Los Angeles

• US to exempt some Bangladeshi clothes from tariffs

  The White House agreed to carve out exemptions for US-produced cotton from Bangladesh.