The London market started the week on the front foot today as investor confidence returned after recent wobbles over Chinese stocks and global interest rates.

British Gas owner Centrica led an advance for the London market today after Russian gas giant Gazprom said over the weekend that it was close to finalising an unnamed deal to increase its market presence in the UK.

Mobile phone giant Vodafone today rejected calls from shareholders for a restructuring of the company.

Vodafone faced more pressure from shareholders today after a former Marconi director led calls for a restructuring at the mobile phone group.

CHILDREN’S Minister Brian Lenihan was last night accused by Fine Gael of “misusing” up to €250,000 of taxpayers’ money on a publicity stunt.

PARENTS of the country’s 350,000 children under six will be paid the first instalment of the annual €1,000 childcare payment this August.