Government

A multi-billion pound merger between O2 and Three has been blocked due to concerns over the impact the proposed deal would have on UK mobile customers.

Restaurants could be forced to take discretionary service charges off the menu if a Government proposal to introduce an 'opt in' tipping system is served up following a public consultation this summer.

Cold callers who continue to bombard people with unwanted calls from withheld numbers could face fines of up to £2.5 million following the Government's introduction of new laws.

Hundreds of thousands of people left out of pocket after they were sold Scottish Power cashback warranties between 1998 and 2001 should be paid their share of about £75 million, a group of MPs said today.

Anyone planning to vote in the local elections on 5 May must register to do so by midnight tonight.

Only two peer-to-peer lending platforms out of 94 are currently able of offer the new Innovative Finance ISA following its launch this week, as rigorous checks by the regulator have held up the approval process.

Homeowners living in flood-prone parts of the UK are now able to obtain substantially cheaper home insurance under a Government-backed scheme, in some cases slashing thousands off their costs. But everyone else will be expected to stump up an average of £10 a year if insurers decide to pass on associated costs.

Chancellor George Osborne has unveiled a new Lifetime ISA for the under-40s which will pay savers a 25% bonus on up to £4,000 saved per tax year.

Those who enjoy fizzy drinks, cigarettes and wine will be hit by tax changes announced in the 2016 Budget – but taxes on cider, beer, whisky and other spirits have been frozen.