FTSE 100 closes near record high as Santa Rally builds, despite weak retail sales – as it happened
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Independent businesses: have your online sales been affected by the rise of AI?
We’d like to hear from independent retailers about how changes to online searches has affected them. We’d also like to find out from customers about how easy it is to track down independent retailers
Former Yodel owner probably forged mother’s signature in takeover bid, judge rules
‘Extraordinary’ high court ruling covers Jacob Corlett’s attempt to seize back control of parcel delivery firm
UK politics: ‘Not clear’ who was behind FCDO hack, says minister, amid reports of China link – as it happened
Chris Bryant confirms October cyber-attack as the Sun names Storm 1849, a Chinese hacker group, as being responsible
WH Smith tries to recover bonuses from ex-bosses as watchdog investigates accounting error
Retailer targets £7m in bonuses as FCA examines scandal in North American arm
Sony collars Snoopy in £340m deal to take control of Peanuts franchise
Japanese conglomerate raises to 80% its stake in firm that owns the intellectual property created by Charles Schulz
Rail accident investigators issue warning over sensors on landslide monitors
Inquiry into recent Avanti West Coast train derailment in Cumbria finds sensors may not work if landslips happen quickly
TikTok signs Trump-backed deal to avoid US ban
Joint venture will take over part of app’s US operations, including data protection, algorithm security and content moderation
UK contactless card limit of £100 to be scrapped from 19 March
Under changes revealed by regulator, banks and card providers encouraged to set their own maximums
Retail sales unexpectedly fall in Great Britain in run-up to Christmas
Shoppers held back on Black Friday spending in November and budget uncertainty hit consumer confidence
UK borrowed more than expected in November amid pre-budget pressure
ONS figures show public sector net borrowing was £11.7bn – £1.9bn less than in same month last year
Young people will suffer most from UK’s ageing population, Lords say
House of Lords report says tools such as raising pension age and increasing immigration will not be adequate
UK’s roads and airports brace for busiest Christmas getaway on record
Transport groups warn of unprecedented congestion as commuters, shoppers and holidaymakers travel at once
Trump’s $1,776 ‘warrior dividend’ repurposed from military housing aid
President claims bonus the result of tariff revenue but stipend had already been approved in tax-and-spend bill
MPs to question Vodafone on ‘unjust’ treatment of store franchise owners
Parliamentary scrutiny follows claims that commercial agreements put the mental health of shopkeepers at risk