Economics / Markets

The Centre for Economics and Business Research has increased its forecast of economic growth in Britain, predicting GDP would be about £20bn higher by 2020 if the Conservatives gain power.

Morgan Stanley has warned Germany could withdraw from the eurozone as the fallout from the Greek debt bailout continues.

The Tories have unveiled plans to launch Britain's first free national financial advice service at a cost of £50m a year.

The eurozone's bail-out scheme for Greece has been plunged into disarray after four German academics said they will legally challenge the rescue plan.

The FTSE has made modest gains in early trading, boosted by the buoyant performance of US stocks yesterday and strong economic data from China.

Britain's three main political parties all have a £30bn hole in their manifestos that will have to be plugged with huge tax rises or spending cuts after the election, according to Financial Times calculations based on their policy pledges.

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has once again allayed fears of a double-dip recession saying the US is staging a "moderate economic recovery".

The Lib Dems would more than double the rate of capital gains tax (CGT) to put it on a par with income tax.

Miners rebounded from yesterday's falls to lead the way in early trading this morning, driving the FTSE 100 up 22.3 points (0.4%) to 5,784.

The cost of borrowing in Greece's rescue package is too high and the country still risks falling into a "debt spiral", says George Soros.