THE Bank of England is expected to freeze interest rates at 4.75% this week after business and consumer confidence failed to recover after the general election.

Business optimism in Britain has fallen for the first time in a year, research showed today.

More than 600 UK jobs were at risk today after the owner of the Eisenegger discount clothing chain became the latest retailer to collapse this year.

FORMER British Prime Minister John Major is to be the keynote speaker at the first national forum on family business issues.

Fraud in the UK hit a record level last year and is costing the taxpayer at least £300m (€424.3m), research showed today.

Former computer security company Baltimore has replaced its auditors.

Fewer British businesses are set to go bust this year than during 2003 as the UK economic recovery gathers pace, a report claims today.

The UK is heading for a period of balanced economic growth as companies’ confidence about the future stabilises, research claimed today.

British workers believe their government should introduce “sin taxes” on household waste and fast food in a bid to raise finances, according to a new survey today.

The Bank of England is set to relieve homeowners by keeping interest rates on hold this week, experts say.

The UK’s sluggish economic growth looks set to last until the autumn of 2003, a report predicted today.