Inequality in Britain is of developing world level

Japanese Prime Minister warns of double-dip slump

William Leith is disturbed by western consumers' trail of destruction as seen in Fred Pearce's Confessions of an Eco Sinner

Recommended: Confessions of an Eco Sinner: Long-distance calling

How 16 ships create as much pollution as all the cars in the world

Householders denied steep cuts in water bills as watchdog sides with unity companies for £3 fall

Water regulator bows to lobbying on bill price cuts

New fall in business investment fuels worry

Anguish over the recession that refuses to let go

Cash for clunkers scheme under fire as car imports soar

The 10 worst retailers for exploiting foreign workers

Bank of England gave RBS and HBOS 'secret' £62bn loan

Why the Budget’s little brother is still growing in importance

Deflation: could it happen here?

Brown and Cameron clash over budget deficit

Gold pushed to record by demand from pessimists – and optimists

Most global banks are still unsafe, warns S&P

Britain's bank bail-out may have broken world trade rules

Japan finance minister urges BoJ to tackle deflation

IMF boss Strauss-Kahn warns that global economy remains 'highly vulnerable'

General Motors warned against state 'subsidy race'

tax on surgery angers plastic surgeons

Tesco’s petrol prices fuel debate over competition

Graphic: The changing face of business

Business confidence at six-year high, but GDP and lending figures remain weak

Rising metals end FTSE losing streak

Water bills are next in line for a big rise

How much money is enough?In 1930, Keynes predicted that by 2030, we'd be working a 15-hour week. But he underestimated our appetite for wealth

MPC in three-way split as chief economist warns on asset prices

Next Government's sentence: tax rises, spending cuts and social unrest

Government deficit now increasing at £3bn a week

A short guide to protectionism

Nestlé 'considering options' in the battle for Cadbury