Markets

Markets have responded positively to news of a Conservative election win, but uncertainty over Britain's membership of the EU and Scotland's future are storm clouds on the horizon, according to economists and fund managers.

Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg, and Nigel Farage have all resigned after suffering election defeat at the hands of the Conservatives.

"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels," said supermodel Kate Moss, who is not often credited for her insights into policy making.

The pound has leapt almost 2% and the FTSE 100 has added over 100 points as the general election result points to a surprise majority for the Conservatives.

Pensions minister Steve Webb and business secretary Vince Cable have lost their seats after a calamitous evening for the Liberal Democrats saw the party underperform even the most pessimistic forecasts.

One attraction of UK housing is its inflation protection properties, but unachievable targets and bad political policies could place the sector at risk, according to David Gibbins, fund manager at Hearthstone Investments

Insurer Aviva has introduced a "proactive retention programme" in a bid to stem the loss of funds from its asset management business.

The Bank of England has admitted to making errors in its reporting of foreign investors' purchases of UK government bonds in recent weeks.

Equity markets have begun to recover after an early slump driven by a plunge in German sovereign debt prices.

Charles Stanley is in exclusive talks to sell its securities business to stockbroker Panmure Gordon, putting an end to rumours US firm Stifel Financial was the likeliest buyer.