Those who want to get their hands on the new £1 coin before it is released into general circulation can buy their own version from today, with prices ranging from £10 for the uncirculated coin to £1,995 for the gold proof two-coin set.
The new 12-sided coins will be released for general use on March 28 and the old pound coins, which have been around since 1983, will cease being legal tender on October 15.
It has been estimated that about one in every 30 pound coins currently in circulation is fake, creating a headache for businesses and the Royal Mint.
Rural motorway …
The Dartford Crossing was excluded from UK government data on toxic air because it was classed as a "rural road," according to a story in the Evening Standard.
The classification of the tunnel and bridge, one of London’s busiest commuter routes, means that potentially dangerous nitrogen dioxide levels were not reported to the European Union.
The Dartford Tunnel and QEII Bridge connect the M25 over the River Thames and carry about 50 million vehicles per year.
Vauxhall jobs …
The head of the UK’s biggest union called on the government to do all it can to protect jobs at Vauxhall's British car and van plants as its French new owner decides where to build future models.
Len McCluskey told Sky News that the head of the PSA Group, which makes Peugeot and Citroen cars, had given reassurances that all commitments would be honoured as part of the deal to buy General Motors Co’s (NYSE:GM) European operations, which include Vauxhall in Britain.
"There is a cautious optimism," he said. "But of course the real issue is not the current products, it's about the new models and we'll be determined to make certain that the British plants have a long term future."
Driven down …
New car registrations fell by an annual 0.3% to 83,115 vehicles in February, hit by weaker demand from individuals and companies, although sales are expected to pick up in March.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ late report showed that private car sales fell by 4.4% to 36,018 units, while business registrations declined by 5.3% to 1,398 units.
But fleet sales, typically to vehicle rentals firms, rose 3.3% to 45,699 cars,
February is one of the quietest months of the year for the car market and SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said he expected a bounce in March with the launch of 2017 number plates.
Factory growth strong …
Britain's factories are growing at their fastest pace in more than three years, helped by the fall in the value of the pound after the Brexit vote and a recovery in core markets in Europe, according to a survey.
The report by industry group EEF and accountants BDO showed output for manufacturers rose sharply with the balance of firms reporting growth rising to 31% in the first quarter, its highest since the third quarter of 2013.
The balance of firms expecting growth in the second quarter rose to 33%
China growth target …
China has cut its growth target this year as the world's second-largest economy pushes through painful reforms to address a rapid build-up in debt, and erects a "firewall" against financial risks.
The Communist country aims to expand its economy by around 6.5%, Premier Li Keqiang said in his work report at the opening of the annual meeting of parliament on Sunday.
China set a growth target of 6.5% to 7% last year and ultimately achieved 6.7% growth, supported by record bank loans, a speculative housing boom and billions in government investment.