Beans on toast soap aims to tackle hygiene poverty

The product highlights the choice some families face between buying hygiene products and eating.

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How much is child benefit going up and who can claim it?

The government has confirmed how much child benefit will be worth from April 2025.

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Thames Water picks private equity firm as preferred buyer

The troubled water utility firm says KKR could complete the deal in the second half of this year.

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Half of job centres reducing support over shortages

A report says there are 2,100 fewer work coaches than needed while the number of people requiring support has risen.

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New tariffs this week will hit all countries, Trump says

The comments come as the US president is set to unveil a massive slate of import taxes on Wednesday.

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'Greedy landlords are cashing in and forcing us out of town'

Some locals say rent hikes prompted by an influx of construction workers are pricing them out.

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Three ways to cushion the blow of bill rises

'Awful April" will see a range of household bills rise, but there are ways to ease the pain.

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The seven bills going up this week

A number of bill rises will come into force at the start of what some commentators have described as "awful April".

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The US firms backing Trump's fight over trade

Businesses think Trump is right about unfair trade. But are the US President's reciprocal tariffs the answer?

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Musk's xAI buys his social media platform X

The move could be aimed at protecting investors, who helped him buy purchase X, from losing money.

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'A noose around our neck': Residents driven out by UK's largest road tunnel

Those living on the Lower Thames Crossing route tell of their despair at being uprooted.

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'It's going to get worse': American car buyers brace for sweeping auto tariffs

"The prices in the wholesale market have skyrocketed already and it's going to get worse," one car seller told the BBC.

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Millions give less to charity as bills rise

Only a third of 16 to 24-year-olds gave to charity last year, down sharply since the pandemic.

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H&M to use digital clones of models in ads and social media

Some fear the move could mean less work for models, photographers and make-up artists.

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Easter egg costs soar by up to 50%, Which? says

The consumer group says many chocolate treats have shot up in price while several have been hit by "shrinkflation".

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Up to 2,700 jobs at risk at British Steel

The company announces a consultation that could see the closure of two blast furnaces at Scunthorpe.

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23andMe users struggle to delete their highly sensitive data

Multiple users said they had problems after the DNA-testing firm filed for bankruptcy protection.

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Three ways the Spring Statement could affect you and your money

While the Spring Statement focusses on the wider UK economy, it could have implications for your money.

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Growth forecast halved for 2025 but later years upgraded

The economy is now predicted to grow by only 1% in 2025 but the OBR thinks growth will pick up in the following years.

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Oasis sale 'may have misled fans' says watchdog

CMA concerned that Ticketmaster may have breached consumer protection law for Oasis reunion tour.

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Cladding tax on new homes delayed for a year

The delay comes after developers warned the tax could hamper the government's housebuilding plans.

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AI job application rise 'risks hiring incapable staff'

AI could allow job hunters to get work they are not "capable" of doing, a business owner says.

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Trump threatens tariffs on buyers of Venezuelan oil

The president said he would impose "secondary" taxes but appeared to soften his stance on other tarrifs.

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Faisal Islam: No tax rises and no return to austerity but will it last?

The Spring Statement is "not a Budget", but the chancellor is facing major tax and spending challenges.

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Heathrow closure deeply concerning, says PM

Sir Keir Starmer says he is 'deeply concerned' about the closure of Heathrow Airport as a result of a power cut caused by a fire on Friday.

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Morrisons to shut 52 cafes and 17 stores

The closures are expected to take place over the next few months, leaving hundreds of jobs at risk.

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Disney's Snow White film tops box office despite bad reviews

The film has taken an estimated $87.3m globally during its opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo.

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Sort 'pothole plague' or lose cash, councils warned

Councils in England will be asked to publish reports on their repairs or miss out on funding, but critics say long-term thinking is needed.

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What makes a rum Jamaican? Question at heart of Caribbean legal dispute

The dispute centres on whether it is acceptable to age and bottle the spirit overseas.

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UK mulls big tech tax changes to avoid US tariffs

Rachel Reeves says talks are "ongoing" about the Digital Services Tax, paid by giants like Amazon.

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Investigation ordered into power outage that closed Heathrow

Ed Miliband says there are lessons to be learned after outage led to major flight disruption on Friday.

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Uber offers 20 hours of free childcare in bid to lure female drivers

A union says it should instead pay drivers more so they can take time off with their families.

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Heathrow substation fire: What went wrong?

Questions have been raised over what caused the outage and why back-up systems failed?

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Heathrow closure: What are my rights?

What are you entitled to if your flight is cancelled due to the fire that has led to the airport's closure?

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Broadcasters fined £4m for freelance pay collusion

The UK competition regulator says the BBC, BT, IMG and ITV illegally shared information about fees.

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What will be in the chancellor's Spring Statement?

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will give more detail about the government's plans for the economy.

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Family sues Boeing over whistleblower death

John Barnett's family say he was subjected to harassment and humiliation after he raised safety concerns.

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EU delays plans to retaliate against Trump tariffs

Its tit-for-tat tariffs had prompted Trump to threaten a 200% tariff on European alcohol and wine.

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Will Trump's tariff war spark big-bang reforms in India?

Could this be a chance for the world’s fifth-largest economy to shed protectionism and open up further?

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US holds rates steady despite economy fears

The US central bank warns that economic uncertainty has "increased".

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Brewer to increase prices following tax rise

Shepherd Neame, based in Faversham, employs 1,600 people and runs 290 pubs.

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When will interest rates go down again?

Interest rates, set by the Bank of England, affect mortgage, loan and savings rates for millions.

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Faisal Islam: Benefits changes mean a million people will be thousands of pounds worse off

These plans are more geared towards making budgetary numbers add up than fundamental welfare reform.

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At-a-glance: Key changes to benefits in welfare shake-up

How Personal Independence Payments (Pip) and other health-related benefits could change under government plans.

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Subsea fibre cables can 'listen out' for sabotage

Ways are being developed for subsea cables to "sense" whether they are being disturbed or attacked.

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Yoga mats and VR headsets added to inflation basket

Items added and removed from the basket of goods used to calculate inflation give an insight into current fashions.

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Challenge to Thames Water rescue deal dismissed

The funding allows the company to continue operating and attempt to restructure its massive debt pile.

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Trade turmoil forecast to slash growth in Canada and Mexico

Trump's tariffs will hit its biggest steel trading partners' economies the most, the OECD predicts.

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Small electric cars were said to be the future – but SUVs now rule the road

Despite dire predictions of climate breakdown, more Sports Utility Vehicles are being spotted on, and off, the roads.

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Are US tariffs bringing manufacturing back to Canada?

Canadian firms are having a growing conversation about the need for more homegrown production.

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Trump moves to close down Voice of America

More than 1,300 staff placed on administrative leave as White House accuses VOA of being anti-Trump, "radical" and "leftist".

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Thames Water set for crucial court ruling

If it does collapse, who will pay and how much?

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'I feel sick at the prospect of welfare cuts'

People on long-term sickness and disability benefits have told the BBC they fear how cuts will affect them.

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Apple encrypted data row hearing begins in secret

The BBC - along with civil liberties groups and some US politicians - argue the case should be heard in public.

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Gold price hits $3,000 mark for first time

Demand for the precious metal has surged amid economic uncertainty over the impact of the global trade war.

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Rachel Reeves signals no change on welfare cuts

Labour MPs have been expressing unease about the proposed cuts to welfare, ahead of announcements next week.

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Musk's Tesla raises concern over Trump tariffs

The electric carmaker’s warning about tariffs comes despite its boss's key position in the Trump administration.

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Judge orders Trump administration to give fired workers their jobs back

A federal judge has ordered the rehiring of probationary workers terminated by the Trump administration.

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Pressure grows to hold secret Apple data privacy hearing in public

Civil liberties campaigners have joined US politicians and the BBC in saying Friday's hearing should not be secret.

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Tesco to trial giving away expiring food to shoppers

Giving away food will be trialled in some Express stores in an effort to cut waste.

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Trump threatens 200% tariff on alcohol from EU

Wine and spirits will be taxed, Trump says, if the EU does not remove tariffs on US whiskey.

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Trump raises 'massive' trade imbalance during Irish PM meeting

Earlier, the taoiseach praised the Trump administration's efforts to broker peace.

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Secret hearing on Friday in Apple and UK government data row

The BBC understands the dispute over accessing encrypted data is set to be heard at the High Court.

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Starmer urged to protect disability benefit claimants

The government is identifying cuts to the welfare budget ahead of the Spring Statement, with the PM working to rally MPs to support the move.

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Six things that could get more expensive for Americans under Trump tariffs

Economists say the president's import taxes could result in higher prices for a range of products in the US.

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From chatbots to intelligent toys: How AI is booming in China

China plans to invest more than a trillion dollars as it races against the US to rule advanced tech.

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'We don't need a Gail's' - the coffee shop boom dividing locals

The controversial cafe chain is expanding outside London but locals often have mixed feelings.

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Software bug at firm left NHS data 'vulnerable to hackers'

The NHS is looking into claims that a software flaw at Medefer left patient data vulnerable.

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Lab-grown food could be sold in UK within two years

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is looking at how it can speed up the approval process for lab-grown foods.

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Trump 'strongly considering' large-scale sanctions and tariffs on Russia

The president has reversed US policy and says he trusts Putin and finds dealing with Ukraine difficult.

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Boots gets new US owner in multi-billion dollar deal

There have been reports the Boots chain could be sold off separately by its new owner.

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US job growth stable as government cuts start

Employers added 151,000 jobs in February but there was a drop in federal employment.

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Deep-sea mining tech advances but doubts remain

Despite opposition investors are still looking at deep-sea mining technology.

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Price of first-class stamp to rise to £1.70

The cost of a second-class stamp will also rise to 87p on 7 April, Royal Mail announces.

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US job gains stable despite concern over economic risks

Employers added 151,000 jobs last month while the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.1%.

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Home buyers race to beat stamp duty rise

Thresholds will change on 1 April, leaving buyers a few weeks to complete or pay more in stamp duty.

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SpaceX rocket explodes, raining debris from sky for second time in a row

It grounded flights in Orlando, Miami and Palm Beach after debris concerns from Starship's failed launch.

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Carmakers win break from Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico

Trump says he will exempt cars from the new import taxes, while continuing his criticism of Canada.

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Work coaches to focus on long-term unemployed

Ministers hope the plans will help reduce the rapidly rising cost of health and disability benefits.

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Apple takes legal action in UK data privacy row

The tech giant is appealing a government order for access to customers' private data, the BBC understands.

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Pizza boosts Greggs but sausage roll still king

The bakery chain has grown its revenue and profits by moving away from its traditional roots.

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Deadline for National Insurance top-ups softened

A looming deadline for people to plug NI gaps, to ensure they get the full state pension, has been eased.

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Diversity backlash: Is 'masculine energy' coming to the UK?

Donald Trump has scrapped federal diversity initiatives and many US firms have too - will UK companies follow suit?

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Outright ban on new leasehold flats moves closer

Ministers want to move to a "commonhold" system where flat-owners own a share of their buildings.

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TikTok investigated over use of children's data

It will look into how the social media platform uses the data of 13 to 17-year-olds to recommend content.

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Bubble tea chain bigger than Starbucks sees shares jump on debut

Mixue's shares rose by more than 40% in their Hong Kong Stock Exchange debut.

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Can AI help modernise Ireland's healthcare system?

Ireland is investing billions of euros to revamp its healthcare service - will AI help?

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Lloyds Bank says app issues fixed after payday IT issue

Technical issues have affected UK banking app users on payday for the second-month running in 2025.

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UK-US trade deal could mean tariffs 'not necessary', says Trump

The US president says a trade deal could happen very quickly and avoid taxes on UK imports.

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