Bloomberg Britain posted a larger-than-predicted budget deficit in February, leaving Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne little room to meet his full-year fiscal forecast. Government spending exceeded revenue by £7.1 billion ($10.1 billion) compared with 7.5 billion pounds a year earlier, figures from the Office for National Statistics show. Economists in a Bloomberg survey had predicted a £5.9 billion-shortfall. In ...

Bloomberg The pound posted the biggest decline among major currencies amid speculation the Brussels explosions will boost the case of campaigners who want Britain to quit the European Union. The tragedy risks making sterling into even more of a political football as the debate over a potential “Brexit” rages. Anti-EU politicians have argued that migration leaves the U.K. vulnerable to ...

Bloomberg German manufacturing grew at the slowest pace in 16 months in March, evidence that the economy is feeling the pressure of cooling global demand. Markit Economics said its Purchasing Managers Index slipped to 50.4 from 50.5 in February, just above the 50 level that separates expansion from contraction. While a separate report showed services improved this month, a gauge ...