Summary

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  1. Pushing for a 'managed' no dealpublished at 06:46 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2018

    Today Programme
    BBC Radio 4

    SandcastleImage source, Getty Images

    A group of pro-leave businesses has called on the government to abandon its Brexit withdrawal deal.

    Big businesses tend to fear a no-deal, cliff-edge Brexit, but John Mills, chairman of retailer JML, wants a "managed" no-deal - which would involve many small deals with the EU and others.

    "You need to start off having deals on aviation, and moving of drugs, and all this sort of thing, making sure the ports run as smoothly as possible, just to minimise the amount of disruption that takes place. This may then lead to a bigger deal... a free trade deal on a comprehensive basis."

    "There's bound to be some disruption [at ports]," he adds.

  2. What is Initiative Q?published at 06:42 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2018

    BBC Radio 5 live

    There are many crypto-currencies on offer these days - but how long will they be around?Image source, Getty Images

    There has been a lot of buzz on social media recently about payment network Initiative Q, and its offer of "free money" in the form of new currency

    Initiative Q is offering free Q – its planned new currency – if you sign up, plus hefty referral bonuses for encouraging friends to join.

    David Gerard, a crypto currency specialist, says people should be wary.

    "The main problem I see with it is it's a pyramid shaped scheme," he says.

    Whilst the payment network is not asking for money, he says having to argue it's not technically one puts it in a difficult position already.

    He says people on the list are already vulnerable because it could be hacked.

    "They're building a great big list of people who think there's such a thing as getting money for free. You can never get rich for free," he says.

  3. How much are you paying for your broadband?published at 06:32 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2018

    Network cables plugged in a router.Image source, Getty Images

    One in seven UK homes could be paying more than they need to for broadband and could get faster services for the same or less money, Ofcom has said.

    New research suggests that half of UK homes have not taken up faster services even though they are available.

    So, Ofcom has launched a campaign dubbed Boost Your Broadband , externalto let people know about what options are available.

    Read more here.

  4. Why are shops struggling so much?published at 06:20 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2018

    BBC Radio 5 live

    Bon MarcheImage source, Getty Images

    It's an incredibly tough time for the retail sector with several shops struggling to survive. Fashion chain Bonmarché was the latest chain yesterday to warn on profits. It said "consumer behaviour is not following last year's pattern, nor the pattern of any year we have experienced previously."

    Sue Dunn, a former executive at House of Fraser who now runs SRLA Consulting, says the sector is now really unpredictable.

    She says whilst online is good, it's a much tougher way for shops to succeed.

    "It has a high return rate and is very expensive for people to operate so it is quite difficult for people to operate," she says.

  5. Will Team Sky find a new backer?published at 06:11 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2018

    BBC Radio 5 live

    Team Sky

    The future of Team Sky, which has delivered Tour de France wins for Britons Sir Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas, is in doubt after broadcaster Sky announced earlier this week that it will withdraw backing at the end of 2019.

    Andy Westlake, chairman of the European Sponsorship Association, believes it won't be impossible for them to find a new sponsor, but warns time is tight.

    "They've built a brand which has an amazing reputation for winning all around the world.

    "It's possible they're able to move on, but it's a challenging market and they haven't got a lot of time to do it," he says.

  6. Stocks in Japan lead losses across Asiapublished at 06:02 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2018

    A stock board in TokyoImage source, Getty Images

    Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 is down close to 2% in late afternoon trade, leading losses across the region.

    A closely watched survey conducted by Japan's central bank showed that firms in the country expected business conditions to worsen in the coming months, amid continued US-China trade tensions.

    In China, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down 1.4% in afternoon trade, while the Shanghai Composite was down close to 0.6%.

    In Australia, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index closed down 1.05% to 5,602.

  7. Good morningpublished at 06:01 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2018

    European Union leaders have said the Brexit withdrawal agreement is "not open for renegotiation", despite appeals from Theresa May.

    Business groups have warned the ongoing uncertainty from Brexit is harmful. We'll have the reaction from them to this latest development.

    Meanwhile newspaper group Trinity Mirror - now known as Reach - will announce its full year results.

    Keep reading.