BANK WARNS OF NEGATIVE INTEREST CHARGES IF BASE RATE FALLS

A major high street banking group has warned that more than one million of its customers could be charged negative interest rates if market conditions change.

In a letter setting out changes in terms and conditions to 1.3 million customers across NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) business and commercial banking, the banking group warned it might charge customers in the event of negative interest rates.

The letter warned: "Global interest rates remain at very low levels and in some markets are currently negative. Dependent on future market conditions, this could result in us charging interest on credit balances."

PATRIOTISM NOT PART OF CORBYN'S MAKE-UP - OWEN SMITH

Owen Smith has questioned Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's patriotism, suggesting it is not "part of his make-up".

The leadership challenger said Mr Corbyn's "metropolitan" politics were at odds with Labour traditions about national identity in England, Scotland and Wales.

The former shadow cabinet minister suggested he would be prepared to offer his rival a job in his own shadow cabinet if he won the contest, having previously suggested Mr Corbyn could become Labour's president or chairman - an idea the incumbent leader rejected.

POLICE WATCHDOG TO INVESTIGATE RESPONSE TO HATE CRIME REPORTS

Watchdogs will assess the police response to hate crime following a surge in reported incidents after the EU referendum.

Levels of anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic, homophobic and racist bullying in schools will also be examined under a new Government drive.

The steps will be outlined on Tuesday as ministers publish a hate crime action plan following a sharp rise in alleged offences and incidents reported to police in the weeks before and after the referendum on June 23.

UK 'FAILING MIGRANT CHILDREN WHO CAME HERE ALONE AND LIVE IN SQUALOR', SAY LORDS

Thousands of lone migrant children are living in squalid conditions or are vulnerable to smuggling gangs after being let down by European countries including the UK, a report has warned.

Youngsters face a culture of disbelief and suspicion, while authorities try to avoid taking responsibility for their care and protection, according to the Lords EU committee.

Peers said witnesses painted a "harrowing" picture of squalor, destitution and desperation that unaccompanied minors face across the EU.

THERESA MAY MEETING IRISH PREMIER ENDA KENNY FOR BREXIT TALKS

Prime Minister Theresa May holds talks today with Irish premier Enda Kenny in the latest meetings on how Brexit will unfold.

Mr Kenny, who last week met French President Francois Hollande on the issue, said his trip to London offers a chance for constructive discussions.

"I look forward to meeting with Prime Minister May," the Taoiseach said.

BREXIT VOTE KNOCKS EMPLOYMENT CONFIDENCE DESPITE UNEMPLOYMENT FALL

Consumers are feeling less confident about their jobs in the wake of Britain's vote to ditch the European Union, a report has found.

The Deloitte Consumer Tracker said uncertainty surrounding the Brexit vote took its toll on employment confidence, which fell three points following the referendum result and six points compared to last year.

It said the overall headline measure for consumer confidence stayed at minus 8 for the second quarter of 2016 - its lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2014.

TREASURY COMMITTEE REPORT CALLS FOR SEPARATE FINANCIAL SERVICES ENFORCEMENT BODY

Chancellor Philip Hammond should commission an independent review of financial services regulation with a view to setting up a separate enforcement body, a parliamentary report has recommended.

The current system - under which the Financial Conduct Authority supervises, applies and prosecutes the law - is "outdated and can be construed as unfair", warned the House of Commons Treasury Committee.

It called on Mr Hammond to reconsider predecessor George Osborne's rejection of a recommendation by the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards, which said in 2013 that the system could be improved by dividing enforcement and supervision functions into two separate bodies.

SIR PHILIP GREEN 'TRYING TO FIND SOLUTION' FOR BHS PENSION FUND

Ex-BHS boss Sir Philip Green has insisted he is "trying to find a solution" for the collapsed firm's pension fund and apologised to staff caught up in the "horrid story".

He acknowledged that selling the high street chain to Dominic Chappell's Retail Acquisitions firm was "a very bad choice" and he felt "badly let down".

But he lashed out at the parliamentary committees which produced a damning report into the collapse of the firm, insisting that it was a "predetermined and inaccurate output of a biased and unfair process".

CHARITY TO PROBE COMMENTS MOCKING 'ROYAL, RICH, ADVANTAGED' PRINCE GEORGE

The British Council has pledged to investigate comments, allegedly made by one its senior employees on Facebook, which criticise Prince George for living "on public money".

Angela Gibbins, head of global estates at the charity, was reported to have commented on a picture of the young Prince which someone had captioned: "I know he's only two years old, but Prince George already looks like a f****** d***head."

The British Council, which promotes the UK and the English language in more than 100 countries, said her alleged comments, in which she called George "royal, rich" and "advantaged" and referenced "white privilege", were not representative of the organisation's views.

MUMS-TO-BE CAN EAT RAW EGGS - FOOD SAFETY EXPERTS

Raw eggs are safe for pregnant women to eat, a safety committee has recommended.

A report from the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food states there is "very low" risk of salmonella from UK eggs produced under the Lion code.

It is now recommending that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) considers amending its advice on the consumption of eggs for those "vulnerable" to infection.