A new poll from Ipsos Mori has revealed that British people have more confidence in the economy than at any point in the last five years.

Currently, half of the respondents said they felt positive about the state of the UK's finance. This is a dramatic rise compared to two and a half years ago, when only 13 per cent felt the same way.

Based on the 24 countries covered by the survey, it was found that 40 per cent of citizens had confidence in their nation’s economy. This means the UK is performing above the average in this area. The global average has also risen significantly since November 2012, when only 25 per cent said they were confident about their country’s finances.

News of confirmed and potential takeover deals have boosted the FTSE 100.

Takeover deals are back at the forefront of investors' minds today (July 29th), following news that acquisitions are set to take place involving UK firms.

Hikma, the pharmaceutical group, has purchased a US drugs company for £1.7 billion, while manufacturing business acquisition specialist Melrose revealed it is to sell portfolio company Elster for £3.3 billion.

UK prime minister David Cameron is in South-East Asia to boost trade links, helping to further boost a UK economy that is expected to have seen more growth in the second quarter of 2015.

The prime minister has embarked on a trade tour of South-East Asia as he looks to boost trade relations in the region.

David Cameron arrived in Indonesia today (July 27th) accompanied by a delegation of around 30 British business leaders as he looks to form relationships between UK companies and growing Asian markets.

Walmart lags behind Amazon in the US retail market after the online retailer posted surprising financial results for the second quarter.

An unexpected rise in profit means Amazon has overtaken Walmart to become the largest retailer by market capitalisation in the US.

Shares in the online retailer jumped in aftermarket trading on Wall Street yesterday (July 23rd) after it posted quarterly results that surpassed analysts' expectations.

Revenue for the second quarter rose 20 per cent year-on-year to $23.2 billion (£14.9 billion) - exceeding the $22.4 billion average forecast that has been predicted by analysts, the Financial Times reports.

Salaries in Britain have grown at the highest levels in five years, a report issued by the Office for National Statistics has revealed.

UK wage growth has hit a high not seen for five years, according to new figures released for the three months to May 2015 from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Average weekly earnings were up 3.2 per cent during the period, slightly below the 3.3 per cent that had been predicted in a poll of economists conducted by Reuters.

Greece will stay in the EU after a bailout agreement was reached following talks that ran through the night.

Greece is to be offered a new bailout deal following extensive talks between Eurozone leaders and Greek ministers.

Discussions went on through the night in Brussels as both parties looked to resolve the deepening financial crisis in Greece, before a revised deal was announced this morning (13 July).

UK chancellor George Osborne has announced a new national living wage and outlined £17 billion in cuts in this year's Budget.

A new national living wage and further spending cuts over the next five years are two of the key points announced in today's Budget 2015.

Chancellor George Osborne has announced a host of changes in what is the first Budget from a majority Conservative government in nearly two decades.

All eyes will be on British chancellor George Osborne this week as he unveils the first Budget of the new Conservative administration.

Although this will be Mr Osborne's seventh Budget as chancellor since succeeding Alistair Darling in 2010, it will be the first delivered under a Conservative majority government, with the departure of former coalition partners the Liberal Democrats expected to have an impact on the strategic direction of government policy.

The announcement on Wednesday (8 July) will therefore be seen as a barometer of what to expect from David Cameron's new administration, with the Budget proposals widely expected to be led by a fresh raft of cuts to public spending.

Global markets are readjusting following after the Greek referendum on the terms of its proposed bailout led to a resounding rejection of further austerity measures in the country.

The nation went to the polls yesterday (5 July) in a referendum called by the leftist Syriza government to decide whether or not to accept austerity proposals from the country's creditors - including the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - that had been set out as preconditions for any further bailouts for the debt-stricken nation.