Deduction from salaries, pensions, and social welfare payments by Revenue are now being processed as deadlines have lapsed on almost a quarter of a million property owners who received warning letters demanding payment of the 2012 household charge.

The £10bn (€14.9bn) takeover of hotels giant Hilton prompted investors in London to go on a shopping spree for other shares in the sector today.

Hilton Group confirmed today it had received “expressions of interest” from firms considering a £3bn (€4.4bn) punt on betting shop chain Ladbrokes.

Investors were checking into the hotels sector today after Hilton Group confirmed talks were underway over a multi-billion pound deal.

Plans to reunite the Hilton brand under one owner were revealed today after an approach for the UK hotels business thought to be worth £3.6bn (€5.2bn).