UK economy grew 1.9% in 2013 – the fastest growth since 2007

The British economy grew at the strongest rate in six years in 2013, having ended the year on a strong note as the recovery became more entrenched.

Osborne wants above-inflation minimum wage rise

Chancellor George Osborne has said he wants to see an above-inflation increase in the minimum wage. He told the BBC the "economy can now afford" to raise the rate, currently set at £6.31 an hour for people over the age of 21.

UK's George Osborne says actively considering RBS 'bad bank': Report

LONDON: British finance minister George Osborne said his ministry was actively looking at breaking up the state-backed Royal Bank of Scotland to create a "bad bank" to house its problem loans, the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Friday.

Vince Cable urges British business to explore non-bank funding

British businesses should look for funding outside the banking sector, Business Secretary Vince Cable has said, marking the latest effort to generate growth among small-and medium-sized businesses.

New rate-setter backs austerity, reserves view on QE

LONDON (Reuters) - New Bank of England policymaker Ian McCafferty took a cautious line on the need for another cash boost to the recession-hit British economy, saying his decision would hinge on a clearer view of the economy's health.

Shares slip, ECB hopes drive German bonds to 6-week low

LONDON (Reuters) - Worries about the slowing global economy following some gloomy data hit shares in Europe and Asia on Wednesday, although expectations of central bank action to stabilize the euro zone propped up the euro and tempered demand for German bonds.

The balancing act of weighing growth against safety

The financial policy committee of the Bank of England is now one year old. Its purpose is to identify and, where possible, mitigate threats to the British financial system.