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Vauxhall car plant 'saved by GM': General Motors is to confirm within hours that Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant has been saved, securing the jobs of 2,100 staff, the BBC learns.

Some work schemes 'of no benefit': A parliamentary committee questions the length and quality of some apprenticeships, saying six month programmes are of no real benefit.

Rebuilding spurs Japan economy: Japan's economy grows by 1.0% between January and March compared with the previous three months, official figures show.

Clinton Cards to close 350 stores: Retailer Clinton Cards, which is in administration, is to close almost half its stores across the UK, leading to the loss of almost 2,800 jobs.

Bank warns of euro crisis 'storm': The Bank of England warns that the eurozone is "tearing itself apart" with the "storm" threatening the UK recovery, as it cuts its forecast for growth this year.

UK unemployment falls by 45,000: UK unemployment fell by 45,000 to 2.63 million in the three months to March, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Facebook to sell 25% more shares: Facebook says it will sell 25% more shares than first planned in its forthcoming flotation in response to strong demand.

Flight delay payments move closer: Airlines are likely to be told they must pay compensation to passengers whose flights are delayed by three hours or more.

Fed wary of any US spending cuts: The Federal Reserve is worried about the impact on the US economy if government spending is cut sharply, minutes of its April meeting show.

Euro at four-month low on Greece: The euro hits a fresh four-month low against the dollar as political uncertainty in Greece fuels speculation it could leave the single currency.

Greggs renews 'pasty tax' fight: Greggs, the UK's largest bakery chain, blames wet weather for a drop in underlying sales and warns that the "pasty tax" could hit sales and profits.

Results delay hits Bankia shares: Shares in Bankia, the part-nationalised Spanish bank, fall more than 10% after it delays the release of its first quarter results.

Downturn hits Lola race car maker: Racing car maker Lola Cars applies for administration, blaming the economic downturn for a drop in trade.

Greeks withdraw cash on euro fear: Greeks withdrew 700m euros ($894m; £560m) from banks in the week ending on Monday, according to the Greek president.

Hague 'to fight for UK business': Foreign Secretary William Hague promises to "argue relentlessly" for free trade around the world in an effort to boost the UK economy.

Manufacturers 'need more support': UK manufacturers want the government to offer more support rather than "empty rhetoric", a new survey by business advisers BDO says.

Mortgage lending 'jumps in March': There was a big rise in mortgage lending in March, as the stamp duty holiday for first-time buyers came to an end, lenders say.

'Royal' diamond sells for $9.7m: A 35-carat diamond passed among Europe's royalty for four centuries, the Beau Sancy, sells for twice its reserve at auction in Switzerland.

VIDEO: China's 'instant' building: Company in China specialises in building modular high buildings in short time frames.

Work days lost to sickness down: The number of working days lost to sickness fell again in 2011, the Office for National Statistics has said.