Treasury

Core government bond yields have tumbled this afternoon, as investors rush back to safe havens and stocks slump amid widespread selling.

The Treasury is to give savers more freedom on how they can take their tax-free lump sums from pension pots, with new rules allowing savers to take a portion of their pension out at any time.

The UK's blue chip index has shed 100 points to drop below 6,350, hitting a fresh 12-month low at the end of a volatile week for equity markets.

Chancellor George Osborne is set to rule out a sale of Lloyds Banking Group shares to retail investors before next year's general election, according to reports.

Taxing times: Good and bad tax avoidance

The Chancellor is set to announce plans to clamp down on traders who manipulate markets, while establishing a review of how these markets operate.

Given the nature of the financial crisis and the depth of the accompanying recession, the recovery process was always going to be a hard grind.

Investors will find little value in Lloyds Banking Group shares due to "limited" growth prospects, a UK equities manager has said.

NEWS ANALYSIS

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been grilled by MPs over its decision to approve the appointment of Paul Flowers to chair the Co-operative bank back in 2010.