The economy

With the election looming, the main political parties have outlined what they intend to do on business support and tax.

“This will be a Budget to secure the recovery, tackle borrowing and invest in our industrial future” was how the Chancellor, Alistair Darling summed up the last Budget before the next general election.

Pushing up the rate of VAT in order to tackle the budget deficit could have a detrimental impact on the economic recovery, a new study has claimed.

The UK economy has finally emerged from one of its deepest economic downturns.

The UK economy is showing signs of recovery but progress is still weak, a new survey has revealed.

The government has launched a plan for boosting business growth in the UK.

Prospective tax rises and the return of VAT to the old rate of 17.5 per cent may have had an adverse effect on consumer confidence.

Online businesses saw sales soar during the Christmas period.

Indications that the UK economy is emerging from recession were reinforced by new figures detailing an upturn in growth in the services industry.

The jobs market could be returning to its pre-credit crunch levels.