Economics / Markets

Ratings agency Fitch has downgraded the UK to AA+ from AAA, citing a weaker economic and fiscal outlook.

A former Honister Partners adviser charged with evading tax was sentenced to 18 month's imprisonment today following a case brought by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

People who engage in risky activities in the financial services sector should be forced to take on unlimited personal liability as a deterrent to bad practice, according to the boss of Hermes.

Aviva is to reduce its staff numbers by 2,000 over the next six months - a 6% reduction of the global workforce.

A growing trend towards excessive risk-taking and lack of action to repair broken bank balance sheets could trigger a "chronic" new phase in the financial crisis, the International Monetary fund has warned.

Apple shares have hit their lowest levels in a year and half, after a supplier hinted at a slowdown in iPhone and iPad production.

GOSLING'S GROUSE

Mervyn King, the outgoing governor of the Bank of England, has warned central banks risk becoming more politicised as a result of their efforts to tackle the banking crisis and subsequent recessions.

A new academic paper suggests an influential study used to argue the case for austerity contains a number of flaws - including a simple Excel spreadsheet error.

Hedge fund supremo John Paulson has reportedly lost almost $1bn of his personal wealth since the end of last week after the price of gold crashed.