Advisers could be missing out on a "golden opportunity" to take advantage of an expected surge in demand for financial advice over the Easter bank holiday, suggests research.

Alistair Darling used Labour's last Budget before the election to carry out a £19bn tax raid on the middle classes to help pay Britain's record debt.

There was good news for first-time buyers and the ISA allowance represents OK news for savers...but there wasn't much else. Advisers give their verdicts.

Chancellor Alistair Darling has pledged to provide a basic bank account for all in his Budget speech.

The Chancellor has made a slight reduction in his optimistic growth forecasts for the coming years, after revising 2009's severe economic contraction up from 4.7% to 5%.

Chancellor Alistair Darling has doubled the threshold for stamp duty to £250,000 for first time buyers (FTBs) in an effort to boost recovery in the housing market.

The FTSE edged higher at the start of trading today following a strong showing by US stocks yesterday. As at 8.45 GMT, London's leading index was up 0.2%, or 11 points, to 5684.

Ascentric has appointed Julia Dobell as business development manager in the North as the wrap identifies growing demand for its proposition in the region.

Aldermore is designing its mortgage range specifically to help self-employed and creditworthy borrowers who are being turned away by lenders.

Greece's economy is expected to contract at a higher-than-expected rate this year, says the country's central bank.