Economics

The financial crisis of 2008 was avoidable and largely caused by corporate mismanagement, risk-taking and inept regulation, says the US government.

Attempts by the coalition government to reach an agreement with the UK's biggest banks on the amount they lend to small businesses have stalled.

Confidence amongst small businesses fell for the third successive quarter in Q4 in a sign government cuts have taken their toll on the sector, says the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Caution has set in for investors in early trading on Monday as traders await the outcome of today's eurozone finance ministers' meeting in Brussels.

Important members of Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition in Germany are resisting plans for an increase in the EU's bail-out fund to protect Spain from contagion, complicating a crucial meeting of EU finance ministers on Monday.

The European Central Bank has signalled the growing threat of inflation could prompt it to raise interest rates across the eurozone sooner than expected.

The chances of Britain dropping back into recession this year have doubled to one-in-five, a leading economic forecaster has warned amid mounting fears the recovery is slowing.

Manufacturing grew at its fastest pace for 16 years in December, suggests an industry survey.

The UK economy will escape a "double dip" next year, but households face a tight squeeze on living standards, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The European Central Bank has expressed concerns the Irish Republic's 85bn euro ($112bn; £72bn) bail-out package could affect its ability to provide further support to eurozone members.