The natural gas field discovered under north-west England is comparable in size to the gas reserves of large energy exporters such as Venezuela it has been revealed. The discovery could revolutionise the UK’s energy outlook and create thousands of jobs, however environmental groups have raised concerns about the impact of gas extraction methods.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) admits that radioactive contamination which leaked for over 20 years from the Dounreay nuclear plant will never be completely cleaned up. It has given up on plans to return the seabed to its former state saying it would cause “more harm, then good.”

Southampton University is launching the first ever postgraduate course teaching on the design of unmanned autonomous vehicles, in response to the growth of the global market in civilian and military drones. It is now a £5bn-a-year industry.

Two leading economists have raised doubts on the potential for rapid economic recovery in the UK. Robert Chote, head of the Office for Fiscal Recovery and Spencer Dale, chief economist for the Bank of England have both highlighted growing evidence to suggest growth will continue to be sluggish.

A group of institutional investors have written to the FTSE 250 bosses demanding a better understanding on the progress of pledges to recruit more female directors.

Over 100 primary schools in China are being sponsored by tobacco companies in a trend which anti-smoking campaigners have fiercely criticised as “hunting for the next generation of smokers.”  Some schools are reported to feature tobacco branding on school gates while others have promotional slogans in playgrounds.  One school, the Sichuan Tobacco Hope Primary School which was built by a tobacco company after a 2008 earthquake has foot-high guilt letters bearing the slogan “Tobacco helps you become talented.” 

A price war in the grocery industry is anticipated as Tesco prepares for a massive programme of price cuts to revitalise its UK business.

A Bank of England study has revealed that many small businesses are hoarding large savings pots that could be used to make their business grow because they are too scared to ask for a loan.

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