Business and Finance

America's central bank jolted markets after signalling it may start hiking interest rates from their present ultra-low level earlier than previously planned.

The surge in the rate of inflation of the past couple of months showed no sign of slowing in May, hitting 2.1% as the cost of a range of goods picked up following the coronavirus crisis-induced slump for the economy.

It is quite possible - indeed quite likely, as far as most economists are concerned - that inflation drops back again next year.

The government is to extend the ban on commercial evictions introduced during the pandemic until March 2022, the Treasury has confirmed.

More than seven million consumers registered to use phones and smart watches to make payments last year, new figures from Britain's banking industry show.

Sainsbury's and Pets at Home are among retailers to pull dry cat food from their shelves over a potential link to a deadly feline disease.

Boris Johnson's Brexit minister has admitted talks with the EU to avert a ban on British sausages being sold in Northern Ireland are "not having much progress" - although he is holding out hope of agreeing an extension to an end-of-month deadline.

Ryanair has hit out at the UK government's traffic light system for global travel, describing the meagre green list of destinations as a "red list shambles".

Ian King discusses the rise in inflation in the UK, the new post-Brexit trade deal with Australia, and support for the hospitality sector as lockdown restrictions are extended.

The funeral sector has been ordered to bolster price transparency and cut links with public services to encourage referrals from bereaved families, the competition watchdog has announced.