Economics / Markets

The FTSE was up in early morning trading at 5,717.92, rising 38.28 points (0.67%).

The FTSE rose by 0.3%, or 14 points, to 5686.32 this morning, buoyed by fighting talk from British Sky Broadcasting.

The financial crisis has cost the British economy up to £7.4trn in lost output, according to the Bank of England.

Part-nationalised banks led declines on the FTSE in late Tuesday trading amid concerns about what the Government plans to do with its stakes in them after the General Election.

Britain's emergence from an 18-month recession was stronger than first thought, according to revised ONS data.

Even Alistair Darling would have trouble spinning these numbers: Fewer than two million viewers tuned in to watch him debate with Chancellor-in-waiting George Osborne and the Lib Dem's Vince Cable last night. Nine million opted for EastEnders.

Britain had its AAA credit rating affirmed by Standard & Poor's yesterday, but the ratings agency retained its negative outlook over continued deficit concerns.

Mining stocks led the FTSE 100 up 25.69 points (0.45%) to 5,736.35 in early trading after the weaker dollar boosted gold prices.

Greece plans to raise €5bn from a new seven-year bond in its first attempt to raise funds since the EU-backed safety net agreement for the country.

Alistair Darling, George Osborne and Vince Cable have kicked off the election campaign with a live televised debate on the economy which saw them trading blows on issues including the national debt, financial services regulation and long term care.