Business

Sportscar maker Lotus is considering ending production at its home in the UK in favour of setting up a new plant in the US, the BBC understands. Such a move would put 1,300 jobs at risk at its headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk. Lotus refused to comment when asked about any plans, which were first reported by the Financial Times, but …

India’s external debt rose 10% to $736.3 billion at the end of March 2025 from $668.8 billion a year earlier, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday. The debt-to-GDP ratio also inched up to 19.1% from 18.5% in FY24.The increase includes a $5.3 billion valuation impact due to the appreciation of the US dollar …

India’s foreign exchange reserves slipped by $1.01 billion to $697.93 billion in the week ended June 20, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s latest data released on Friday.The decline reverses the previous week’s trend, when reserves had jumped by $2.29 billion to reach $698.95 billion. India’s reserves had hit an all-time high of $704.89 billion in September 2024, …

State-run Coal India Ltd (CIL) on Friday said it will invest more than Rs 1,067 crore in Talcher Fertilizers Ltd (TFL) by subscribing to equity shares through a rights issue, marking a significant step towards realising India’s first coal gasification-based ammonia urea plant.TFL was set up in 2015 as a joint venture between GAIL (India) Ltd, CIL, Rashtriya Chemicals & …

Michael Buchanan Social affairs correspondent, BBC News Getty Images Government plans to speed up employment support for people affected by the changes to welfare benefits will be “undeliverable”, the BBC has been told. As part of the U-turn on welfare reforms, ministers are expected to fast-track a £1bn support plan to get people into work, which was originally scheduled for …

India on Friday banned imports of certain jute products and woven fabrics from Bangladesh through all land routes, permitting entry only via the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra, amid increasingly strained relations between the two nations.The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), in a notification, said “Import from Bangladesh shall not be allowed from any land port on the India-Bangladesh …

Nike shares surged 15% at the opening bell Friday after the company announced a shift in production away from China, even as it warned that tariffs imposed by the Trump administration will cost it about $1 billion (roughly Rs 8,300 crore) before internal adjustments take effect.The US sportswear giant said it will begin implementing “surgical” price increases in the US …

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) on Friday relaunched the SPREE scheme to bring unregistered employers and left-out workers under the ESI Act, as part of a broader push to improve compliance and reduce litigation.The Scheme to Promote Registration of Employers/Employees (SPREE), originally introduced in 2016, has so far enabled over 88,000 employers and 1.02 crore employees to enrol in …

India-US trade deal: Currently, India’s main trade representative is conducting negotiations in Washington. (AI image) India-US trade deal: The United States and India appear to be in the final stages of discussions to finalise the first-cut of the US-Indian trade deal. With US President Donald Trump’s July deadline looming, the trade deal could determine the trajectory of their economic relationship, …

Nissan is looking to cut about 250 jobs from its UK factory, as part of a global shake-up in the face of weak sales. A spokesperson confirmed a voluntary leave scheme had opened to shop floor and office staff at the Sunderland plant this week. Manufacturing staff will not be affected by the move, which is intended to “support efficiency”. …