Willingness to ease off ‘debt brake’ may decide the German election

Rule dating from 2009 that limits borrowing looks vulnerable as main political parties promise to revive stalled economy

Elon Musk rebuffs claims that Tesla could invest in Nissan

Japanese carmaker’s shares rise almost 10% after reports that a group wants US EV firm to put in money

Rachel Reeves given smaller than expected £15bn tax boost to UK finances

January surplus is still highest on record but below the £20bn City economists had forecast

UK hiring on the rise as confidence lifts, research suggests

Companies increase hiring for first time since June, and households more optimistic about their finances

Thirty English councils granted exceptional financial support packages

Local authorities can collectively borrow £1.5bn to plug budget gaps caused by underfunding

Walmart shares fall upon disappointing forecast, fueling US spending worries

World’s largest retailer expects inflation-weary consumers to pull back after shares hit record high of $105 last week

Gold hits record high amid geopolitical worries; Amazon takes creative control of James Bond – as it happened

Spot price of gold is approaching $3,000/ounce while Amazon has acquired creative control of the spy franchise from the Broccoli dynasty.

Investment in UK’s crumbling public services is pro-growth, says pensions minister

Exclusive: Torsten Bell defends Labour’s spending plans, saying ‘the status quo is economically and morally bankrupt’

Glencore considers ditching UK stock market listing; air fares, food and private school fees push UK inflation to 3% – as it happened

Glencore considering move to New York or elsewhere where it can ‘get the right valuation;’ UK inflation rises more than expected as meat, bread and cereals become dearer

UK inflation jumps to 3%, reducing chance of early interest rate cut

Annual CPI inflation rate hit 10-month high in January in blow to ministers amid rise in food bills and fuel costs

The RBA is cutting interest rates and unemployment is at historic lows. This is not supposed to be happening

There is a long path back to recovering our lost living standards, but now we can have some hope that the worst is behind us

Bank of England faces bumpier road after inflation accelerates

Tough route also awaits Rachel Reeves as households reel from sharp increase in living costs

Why is Spain’s economy booming? Thanks to migration – which proves xenophobia doesn’t pay

With Spanish GDP growth leading Europe last year, diversity is making us richer – not only financially but culturally, too, says journalist María Ramírez

Trump threatens 25% tariffs on foreign cars and semiconductor chips

White House has raised threat of levies as a means to bolster US economy, ignoring warnings trade wars could derail it

Insolvencies rise in England and Wales amid economic pressures; Lib Dem MP to appeal approval of Thames Water debt restructuring plan – as it happened

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as plans to restructure Thames Water are approved by a High Court judge