1. Accountancy firms team up

2. Manufacturing upbeat despite economy fears

Manufacturers remain optimistic about future prospects despite continued uncertainty over the economy, according to a report today.

3. Paint job to make a wheel difference

ENERGETIC staff at a car hire company swapped their car keys for paint brushes to give a homeless charity a helping hand.

4. Reading's economy: Just the job

Business experts have dismissed whispers of a looming economic disaster, claiming Reading is still a boomtown and a commercial powerhouse.

5. ‘Budget contains mixed messages’

Business leaders in Reading have labelled Alistair Darling’s first Budget a “mixed bag,” claiming it encouraged entrepreneurship but once again failed to support the town’s smaller companies.

6. BAA sells up duty free

Airports operator BAA today announced the sale of its World Duty Free business in a deal worth £546.6 million.

7. Card fraud soars by a quarter

Fraud on credit and debit cards soared by 25 per cent last year to reach a record high, despite the introduction of chip and pin, figures showed today.

8. Firms call for changes to tax system in Budget

9. Reading PR agency promotes Royal Agricultural Show

A Reading-based marketing agency has been appointed to handle the PR for this year’s Royal Show.

10. Minimum wage rise of 21p

The Government yesterday announced a 21p an hour increase in the national minimum wage, but grew criticism from trade unions who called for a much bigger rise.