March 19 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
The Times
- Administrators of UK mortgage lender Market Financial Solutions have obtained a worldwide freezing order against owner Paresh Raja, after the lender collapsed amid allegations of fraud last month.
- Accounting firm KPMG has selected its former Australia head, Gary Wingrove, as its next global chief executive.
The Guardian
- Britain will lower its tariff-free quota on imported steel and double the tariff on imports exceeding that quota, launching a plan to protect its small but strategically and politically sensitive steel sector.
- Rolls Royce RR.L has dropped its plan to sell only electric vehicles by 2030, citing relaxation of legislation and softer customer demand.
The Telegraph
- North Sea oil and gas producer Ithaca Energy ITH.L said it is ready to start pumping oil within months from the Rosebank project but the Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, first needs to sign off on the plan.
Sky News
- British government has scrapped plans to introduce copyright law exceptions, which would allow AI firms to use the work of songwriters without their permission.
- Frasers Group FRAS.L founder Mike Ashley is preparing a bid for collapsed children's bike maker Frog Bikes.
The Independent
- Britain's Energy Secretary Ed Miliband warned energy firms not to overcharge small businesses as Middle East tensions push up costs, urging firms to offer flexible and transparent contracts in a joint letter with regulator Ofgem.
- Greene King, one of Britain's largest pub groups, is planning to sell up to 150 of its managed sites and convert another 150 into tenanted pubs.
(Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)
((globalnewsmonitoring@thomsonreuters.com))