BUSINESS NORTH WEST2012

House prices in the north west fell by 0.1 per cent during this month as the UK market showed a clear north south divide, according to a new study out today. Prices rose by 0.6 per cent in London and by 0.1 per cent in the south east and East Anglia, but remained static or fell in the north, the Midlands and in Wales, according to property analyst Hometrack.

A �10m funding boost today provided a springboard for expansion at a financial services business which advises consumers struggling with their debts. Money Advice Group, which has its headquarters at Carrington Business Park, Greater Manchester, has secured additional working capital and a war chest for acquisitions of smaller rivals.

A shareholder�in Morson Group has blasted plans by the manpower firm's management team to take the business private for �23m.

DFS has appointed Manchester's Euro RSCG PR as its retained agency for regional PR.