IN BRIEF

Some 356 more workers have lost their jobs this week because of the Carillion scandal. It means 2,778 staff at the collapsed firm – 15% of the workforce – have lost jobs because of the crisis.

Meanwhile, 21 jobs were transferred to new suppliers, meaning a total of 13,516 jobs have been saved by the Official Receiver.

More than 650 people are still working at the company, which went bust in January on its remaining contracts.

Mortgage approvals hit a five-month high last month according to the Bank of England, suggesting that the British housing market is at last perking up. The figures also showed a stronger than expected increase in lending to consumers. In June, UK lenders approved 65,619 mortgages, up from 64,684 in May.