Business

Aviva and Direct Line agree £3.7bn insurance tie-up

The insurance mega-merger will cover more than a fifth of the total UK market if approved.

UK economy failed to grow in third quarter of 2024

Revised figures from the Office for National Statistics reduced previous estimates of 0.1% growth between July and September.

Valeo Foods expand presence in north with new Tesco listings

New additions include Warbler & Wren coffee Ballymaloe cranberry sauce

History made as first legally distilled Co Tyrone whiskey is uncasked in Aghyaran

Wild Atlantic Distillery to commence inaugural bottling on Saturday

Spain’s state-owned shipbuilder Navantia agrees deal to buy Harland & Wolff

UK Government say deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, will secure 1,000 jobs

Government borrowing falls to lowest November level in three years

Rising tax receipts and lower public sector interest payments offset higher spending on public services, in a boost for chancellor Rachel Reeves.

UK retail sales improve despite weaker trading at clothing stores

Economists said growth among supermarkets helped to offset a weaker period for the clothing sector.

North’s economy grew over the summer, official data suggests

Manufacturing sector enjoys 1.6% recovery in third quarter

UK interest rates held at 4.75% amid ‘heightened economic uncertainty’

The Bank of England said it was keeping rates unchanged on Thursday after cutting the level in August and again in November.

Medical tech specialist Axial3D secures $18m in fresh investment

Funding will drive expansion of Belfast firm's AI-powered 3D medical imaging and patient-specific solutions