Watchdog the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has ordered mortgage lenders that charge high exit fees to cut them, with borrowers who were stung for charges after switching loans in line for possible compensation.

Around 800 people are about to be laid off from CD and DVD retailer Music Zone as administrators Deloitte have failed to find a buyer willing to make a UK investment into the stricken chain.

The Government is to step up its campaign against the loan sharks who blight many of the UK’s poorer communities by granting extra funding to teams that specialise in taking on the criminals.

Flat profits have been reported at Premiership leaders Manchester United, as the cost of exiting the Champions League early cost the club revenue and made a dent in the Glazer family’s UK investment.

People who lost their pensions after their employers went bust have received pension advice from the European Court of Justice to the effect that their call for compensation may soon be heeded.

The traditional North-South divide in the housing market – Britons’ most popular saving and investment - has widened again after three years during which it started to close up.

Members of work pension schemes have been warned about the dangers of accepting inducements to transfer out of their pension plans.

The Government has rejected a proposal from Royal Mail management that 20% of its shares in the company be distributed to employees as part of its UK investment in the operation.