Frantic price-cutting by clothing chains and DIY stores in the wake of March's cold weather has driven down high-street inflation to its lowest level for three and a half years, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

The prize-winning poet and dramatist has written her first novel. She tells Suzi Feay how it recalls her own journey south

There is a fine irony, is there not, in central banks buying equities? They have driven down the yields on government debt to such low levels that real yields in most major economies are now negative.

Last August the Government's Funding for Lending scheme (FLS) was launched to bring down the cost of borrowing via mortgages and loans to help individuals and businesses. Nine months on, mortgage rates have fallen sharply as planned, but the side-effects have proved a nightmare for savers who have seen interest rates plummet.

A shock setback for China’s manufacturers in April fuelled concerns over the world’s second-biggest economy today in the wake  of its slower-than-expected start to the year.

Airlines have responded furiously to proposals by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to increase charges at London's leading airports from next year.

1 in 8 renting families "sofa surf" with family and friends while between homes

Many finances can be DIY, but retirement income needs an expert eye

The Spanish government yesterday said that its recession-struck economy will contract by almost three times more in 2013 than it previously forecast, forcing Madrid to extend its deficit reduction programme by a further two years.

"We've always said the road to recovery would be a marathon, not a sprint" said the Business Secretary Vince Cable today in response to the GDP figures. Talk about rewriting history.

Lib Dems float their alternative to cutting free TV licences, bus passes and winter fuel

A life-size inflatable replica of famous British landmark Stonehenge has gone on display in Hong Kong as part of an inflatable exhibition.

Gold rose more than 2 per cent yesterday as bargain hunters across Asia bought up physical gold bars and jewellery after the precious metal hit two-year lows last week.