BBC Business News

Greece's cabinet approves a draft bill committing to austerity reforms required to get new bailout funds, amid warnings of "chaos" if parliament fails to ratify it.

The Prime Minister of Greece, Lucas Papademos, has insisted his country must do "whatever it takes" to avoid bankruptcy and catastrophe.

Buyers are being urged not to rush into hasty property transactions just to benefit from the stamp duty holiday which is due to end next month.

The credit ratings agency Standard and Poor's has downgraded its assessment of almost all of Italy's major banks.

Greece faces "uncontrolled chaos" if it defaults on its debts, warns PM Lucas Papademos, as unions begin a general strike and four ministers resign.

Network Rail dismisses calls for the chairman of its remuneration committee to step down following the controversy over executive bonuses.

Each million paid in bonuses is worth over £600,000 in taxes, says Michael Spencer, head of financial services company ICAP and former fundraiser for the Conservatives. He tells Evan Davis why the British taxpayer should be careful what they wish for when bashing the bonus culture.

Diamond producer De Beers has announced a surge in annual profits as Chinese and US shoppers snapped-up its gems.

A benefit and tax credit entitlement advisor told Radio 5 live Wake Up To Money how cold weather payments work.

The five main UK banks missed their Project Merlin target for lending to smaller firms, but exceeded the overall lending target, BBA figures show.

Barclays bank has announced a slight drop in its annual pre-tax profits - but still banked nearly £6 billion last year.

There have been clashes in Greece between riot police and protesters venting their fury at government austerity measures.

Record imports contributed to a 3.7% increase in the US trade deficit in December, official figures show.

EU and Indian leaders say they have made "substantial progress" towards a free trade agreement at a key Delhi summit.

BAE Systems needs to do more to help workers facing redundancy, a new report says.

House sales could fall through under a new mortgage system being used by a high street bank, the Law Society of Scotland warns.

Greek protesters clash with police in Athens amid a strike against swingeing budget cuts approved as part of the latest eurozone bailout deal.

Nigerian authorities have thrown out fines totalling $235m against British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Today presenter Evan Davis examines British macro economics.

Barclays reports a 3% fall in annual profits to £5.9bn, and cuts the bonus pool at its investment banking division by 32%.