Bankruptcy protection provides consumers with a way to start over again financially through a complete or partial discharge of debts or a reorganization of debts. For many consumers the most critical consideration is finding out exactly what types of debts can be discharged in a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Individual financial circumstances and state-specific bankruptcy regulations will determine exactly what debts can be discharged and by whom in a bankruptcy, but for the most part these debts include: taxes, mortgages and equity lines of credit, loans, medical bills, and credit cards.

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith urges UK businesses to "give a chance" to unemployed young Britons.

Energy regulator Ofgem fines British Gas 1m for misreporting how much electricity it supplied over seven years.

Claims for compensation from those who had savings or investments with collapsed financial businesses rose by 25% in 2010-11.

Growth in the UK manufacturing sector slowed in June to the lowest rate for 21 months as new orders declined, a survey says.

The cost of making and receiving mobile phone calls while travelling in Europe has come down in line with new price caps.

Growth in China's manufacturing sector slowed in June following government policies to prevent the economy from overheating, figures show.

UK businesses are to be urged by the work and pensions secretary to recruit more unemployed, young Britons rather than relying on labour from abroad.

Japanese manufacturers turn pessimistic about business conditions for the first time in 15 months, a closely-watched survey suggests.

Corn and other commodities suffer steep price falls in the US, prompting speculation that the rising cost of food may start to ease.