Business

Image copyright Getty Images Saudi Aramco has confirmed it is planning to list on the Riyadh stock exchange, in what could be the world’s biggest initial public offering (IPO). The state-owned oil giant made the announcement on Twitter (in Arabic), without giving any further details. Business sources say the Saudis are expected to make shares […]

Image copyright Getty Images The freeze in benefit payments is to come to an end in April next year, the government has confirmed. Working-age benefits such as universal credit and jobseekers allowance will rise by the rate of inflation, the Department for Work and Pensions said. The 1.7% hike would reverse the freeze brought in

Image copyright Getty Images Three of the biggest payday lenders in the UK have collapsed or closed their doors in recent times. While many people will not mourn their passing, others will wonder whether another door has closed on access to short-term relief for their finances. Research by the City regulator shows that 78% of

Image copyright Getty Images The government has published new league tables showing which regions of the UK have the most charging points for drivers of electric vehicles. The most per 100,000 people are in London, followed by Scotland, while Yorkshire is the worst by that measure. Outside London, Orkney and Milton Keynes have the most.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Fracking at Cuadrilla Resources site in Lancashire in August caused a 2.9 magnitude earth tremor The government has halted shale gas extraction – or fracking – in England and Wales amid fears about earthquakes. It comes after a report by the Oil and Gas Authority said it was not

Image copyright Stefano Guidi/Getty Image caption Bentley Motor said it had been selling clothing in the UK for more than 30 years A clothing business has won a trademark battle against luxury car manufacturer Bentley Motors. A High Court judge ruled the Cheshire car company had infringed the trademark rights of Manchester-based Bentley Clothing by

Image copyright Getty Images The Thomas Cook brand has been saved from obscurity after the Chinese owner of Club Med said it would buy the name for £11m. Fosun Tourism, which was seen a potential saviour of Thomas Cook before it went bust, is also acquiring the Casa Cook and Cook’s Club hotel brands. The

Image caption Rooibos only grows in the Suid Bokkeveld region of South Africa The industry behind the herbal tea rooibos has agreed to pay a percentage of the money that is made to the indigenous people who used the plant before production was industrialised. South Africa’s KhoiSan people will now receive 1.5% of the value

Image copyright Smith Collection/Gado Fitness device marker Fitbit is being bought by Google for $2.1bn (£1.6bn). The move allows Google to expand into the market for fitness trackers and smart watches. It comes at a time when loss-making Fitbit has been looking to expand into other areas. “Google is an ideal partner to advance our

Image copyright Getty Images US employment was more resilient than expected in October despite the impact of strike action at General Motors. Companies added 128,000 new jobs last month, ahead of a forecast 55,000 rise. Manufacturing employment fell sharply, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in particular motor vehicles and parts which fell