Second-quarter UK growth steady at 0.7%

UK economic growth for the second quarter of the year was unrevised at 0.7%, official figures have shown.

China June trade data spurs hopes for 2nd half, but imports shrink again

BEIJING, JULY 13 (Reuters) - China's export sales unexpectedly rose for the first time in four months in June and imports fell again but posted their best performance this year, causing some optimism tepid trade flows are picking up.

Osborne confirms Budget surplus law

The chancellor has announced that he will attempt to bind future governments to maintaining a budget surplus when the economy is growing.

Switzerland deal to help Italy combat tax evasion

Italy and Switzerland have signed a deal to share information in a bid to tackle tax evasion. The deal offers a partial tax amnesty to Italians that have hidden cash in Switzerland.

How the Liberal Democrats 'signed off' Conservative spending cuts for the next Parliament

Danny Alexander, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury (and the person chosen over Vince Cable as the party’s economics spokesman for the general election campaign) this morning has this to say about the Tories' plans: "There is no need to carrying on cutting spending after the books are balanced.

EU won't sanction France, Italy on budget yet

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union head office is opting not to sanction two of its biggest economies just yet for missing public finance targets and instead will give France and Italy until the spring to come up with better plans to cut their debts and deficits.

Carney: massive shortfall in currency reserves for independent Scotland

Mark Carney was dragged further into the debate about the currency implications for an independent Scotland on Wednesday, telling MPs that in the event of a yes vote Scotland would need to amass billions of pounds of currency in reserves if it uses sterling without a formal agreement with Westminster.

Fed won't raise interest rates for "some time": Williams

SUN VALLEY, Idaho, June 30 (Reuters) - The U.S economy will likely have returned to full employment and a healthy level of inflation by the end of 2016, a top Federal Reserve official predicted on Monday, even as he reiterated his view that interest rates will need to stay near zero for some time.

Ed Balls refuses any role in currency union with an independent Scotland

Ed Balls has hinted that if he were chancellor in a future Labour government he would resign if talks began on currency union with an independent Scotland.

German economy to slow after strongest quarter in 3 yrs in Q1

BERLIN, May 23 (Reuters) - Germany's economy grew at its fastest rate in three years in the first quarter, driven by domestic factors, while a leading indicator of sentiment signalled that expansion in Europe's largest economy is set to slow.

Bank of England signals 'scope' to keep rates low under new guidance

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney was forced to overhaul his six-month-old forward guidance policy today as Threadneedle Street switched aim to take up more slack in the economy before raising interest rates.

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.

China to deepen reforms in 2014 to be rich and strong: Xi Jinping

BEIJING: China will make new strides in 2014 to deepen reforms to make the world's second largest economy rich and strong, President Xi Jinping vowed today.

Sweden Government To Propose New Measures To Enhance Financial Stability

STOCKHOLM--Sweden's government said Monday that it intends to propose a series of new measures to enhance financial stability, with responsibility for the new tools handed to Finansinspektionen, the Financial Services Authority.

No need to hurry with sales tax hikes: Japan PM adviser Koichi Hamada

TOKYO: Japan's government has no need to hurry to raise the sales tax and could consider delaying its scheduled increase by one year, an adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said after data showed the economy expanded less than expected in the second quarter.

EU leaders agree budget cut deal in Brussels

EU leaders have reached an agreement on the budget for 2014-20 after marathon talks in Brussels.

UK data point to meager growth, public finances worsen

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's dominant services sector posted meager growth in October, which may be just enough for the economy as a whole to avoid contraction in the last three months of 2012.

UK downgrade looms 'but it could be a help'

Chancellor George Osborne's attempts to cling onto the nation's triple-A credit rating look doomed but the loss would be "symbolic, not catastrophic", the UK's biggest bank says.

French President Francois Hollande pledges spending cuts, tax reforms

PARIS: French President Francois Hollande insisted on Friday he would press ahead with spending cuts and promised tax reforms next year, amid reports his Socialist government was watering down flagship measures such as a 75 percent tax on the rich.