Britain's leading power generating companies have put rivalries aside to draw up plans to counter the expected wave of protests against a proposed new generation of coal-fired power plants.

Britain needs to act urgently to prevent an acute shortage of skills in strategic sectors of the economy, John Denham, the secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills warns today.

Government promises to speed up planning inquiries to ensure that wind farms play a valuable role in providing clean energy are not being fulfilled, with many schemes waiting up to five years for the go-ahead.

Two of Britain's most senior businessmen, Mike Turner, chief executive of BAE Systems, and Sir Nigel Rudd, a non-executive director at the defence company, were last week detained by US authorities investigating bribery allegations.

Companies that become over-dominant through takeovers launched without official approval will be forced to reverse them and pay to help clear up the aftermath, competition watchdogs have said in their latest warning to business.

BUPA has added its support to a cross-industry body which aims to promote the business benefits of investing in employee health. The healthcare company and medical insurer said commercial director Steve Flanagan is to join the leadership team of Business Action on Health, the UK-wide initiative from Business in the Community (BITC).

MERSEYSIDE employees joined more than 4,000 business men and women across the UK today giving up their jobs for a day to help improve their local communities.

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