Moodys

A rescue plan for the troubled Co-operative Bank has been revealed today as it tries to fill a £1.5 billion hole in its finances.

Britain's banks rode out the latest blow to confidence in the industry today after 15 of the world's biggest institutions were downgraded by Moody's.

Hard-pressed families felt some relief last month as official figures revealed the rate of inflation fell to its lowest level in just under two years.

Confidence in the UK's financial sector was dealt a blow today after an agency slashed the credit ratings of some of Britain's biggest financial institutions to reflect reduced Government support.

UK building societies have insisted they are still a safe haven for savers, despite a raft of major mutuals having their financial strength called into question this week.