Pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca is to cut 700 jobs in the UK over the next three years and invest £330m.

Crucial talks aimed at averting travel chaos at airports over the August Bank Holiday weekend will be held today after a union representing thousands of check-in and other staff at British Airways named dates for 24-hour strikes.

Air passengers were today warned they face travel chaos after British Airways’ check-in staff voted to strike in a row over pay.