Moody's

The cost of looking after the country's ageing population will become unsustainable unless younger generations work longer and pay higher taxes, analysis by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has found.

Fears the UK government may undershoot its target to cut the budget deficit could threaten the country's credit rating, Moody's has warned.

Moody's said last night if there is no progress in the US on increasing the country's statutory debt limit, it expects to place the government's rating under review for possible downgrade in the next few weeks.

The government's strategy for ensuring Britain stays out of recession is under pressure today after a slew of weak economic data.

Sterling has recovered from a seven-week low, moving higher against the dollar after it fell on Moody's threat to downgrade a raft of UK banks.

Ratings agency Moody's is threatening to cut the ratings of 14 British banks including RBS and Lloyds.

The final cost to BP from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster could reach $60bn (£37bn), according to fresh analysis from ratings agency Moody's.

The Chinese economy grew a faster-than-expected 9.7% in Q1 and its inflation rose to the highest level in almost three years despite government attempts to slow surging growth.

Moody's says it could cut its ratings of 19 UK banks to reflect the lower chance of a future government bail-out.

Moody's has downgraded Portugal's credit rating for the second time in less than a month and has warned it could fall further.