The UK could lose up to £31 billion (€43bn) in trade by 2030 because of the failure to increase flights to Brazil, Russia, India and China alone, according to research.

Unions and employers in Britain reacted with "alarm" today after unemployment surged to a 14-year high, prompting fresh calls for the UK government help for the growing army of jobless.

A landmark legal ruling allowing workers to claim back holiday time lost to illness will expose employers to exploitation, it was warned today.