BP was fighting to secure its future today as the US government launched a criminal and civil investigation into the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

London's FTSE 100 Index fought back from hefty falls today, but oil giant BP remained deep in the red after failing again to block the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

An engineering company responsible for wiring many of the UK’s best-known developments today warned that its profits would fall short of hopes.

Rising mortgage costs and the future direction of house prices will be a major consideration for British investors this week as banks and property-based firms are among those companies due to update the market.