Business Diary: Groupon praised for its boldness

Congratulations to all the winners of the Boldness in Business Awards, which are sponsored by the Financial Times and the steel producer ArcelorMittal. And there is certainly no arguing with the judges' choice as the best newcomer – they picked the American discount voucher company Groupon. It has, after all, been exceptionally bold, spending millions to buy a slot during the Superbowl in the US, in which it aired an advertisement widely criticised for making light of the way Tibetans are facing Chinese repression. Bold indeed.

Cashing in on expensive petrol

Here is your chance to make enough cash to fill up the car next weekend. The bookmaker William Hill has cut its odds that the Chancellor will scrap his plans to add 1p to fuel duty in next week's Budget from 2/5 to 4/11. Hills is still offering 4/1 that George Osborne will announce he is to cut the rate of fuel duty, or you can try your luck at 9/2 that the 1p rise will go ahead as planned. With petrol prices still at record highs, the first option, at the very least, looks nailed on.

Sticking it to the tax whingers

Is the Institute of Economic Affairs after a spot of corporate sponsorship? We only ask because the right-wing think-tank yesterday published a lengthy rebuttal of many of the claims made by UK Uncut, the campaign that has been targeting businesses and businessmen it alleges do not pay their fair share of tax. Vodafone, Boots, Barclays and Philip Green – who have all been targeted by UK Uncut – all got the benefit of a vigorous defence from the IEA's analysts. It's time to put your hands in your pockets, folks, and show some gratitude.

The poshest ticket in town

Want to be a Wall Street mover and shaker? If so, get yourself a ticket for the forthcoming Robin Hood gala, the charity fund-raising night that isorganised annually by hedge fund and investment bank bigwigs. This year's star performer at the bash, following in the footsteps of Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder, is Lady Gaga. The only downside is the ticket price – about $2,500 (£1,550). But come on, it's all for a good cause (your career).

businessdiary@independent.co.uk