Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has admitted he paid workers below the minimum wage, also telling British MPs he has discovered “issues” with working practices at the retailer as part of an internal review.

The postal regulator has been urged to introduce an immediate cap on competition to the Royal Mail.

Union leaders in the UK will call today for company takeover laws to be strengthened in the wake of the sale of Cadbury’s to US food giant Kraft.

A complaint against Kraft has been lodged with the London market's takeover panel alleging the US group misled Cadbury employees and investors during its battle for the Dairy Milk maker, it was revealed today.