George Osborne

The 50p top rate of tax is damaging the economy and reducing government income, according to a letter signed by more than 500 business leaders.

Finance ministers from the G20 have told eurozone leaders they need to boost their own contributions to beleaguered countries before any more cash from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is granted.

The Treasury today published the Financial Services Bill, which when passed will enshrine the new regulatory structure in law.

HSBC chairman Douglas Flint has called time on the eurozone sovereign debt crisis and said it is set to be over in a "reasonably short timeframe".

The coalition government is to abandon plans to scrap the 50p top rate of tax despite rising pressure from business leaders.

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has appointed Lazard to manage an auction of parts of its investment bank in a move which may lead to as many as 10,000 job cuts.

International investors are buying record amounts of UK government bonds as the Bank of England's £75bn QE programme spurs demand, with the yield on the 10-year gilt hitting a new record low.

Economists have warned the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB)'s plans to ringfence UK banks' retail and investment divisions could threaten economic growth.

Chancellor George Osborne has announced the 2012 Budget will be held on Wednesday 21 March.

As George Osborne reveals the Office for Budget Responsibility has revised down growth forecasts in the UK and government borrowing has moved higher, fund managers and economists give their view on 2011's Autumn Statement.