Feb 21 (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

- Australia-based Link Group said it was in "exclusive talks" to sell Link Fund Solutions, its scandal-prone London subsidiary, to Waystone Group of Ireland, a rival funds administrator, for an undisclosed amount.

- The government has appointed NatWest Group's chief executive Alison Rose to lead efforts to reduce Britain's energy consumption.

The Guardian

- Tesco is to increase hourly pay for shopfloor staff by 7% to a minimum of 11.02 pounds ($13.26) an hour, its third pay rise in a year amid heavy competition for workers.

- Darktrace has hired EY to conduct an independent review of its finances as it tries to defend itself against a hedge fund that alleges questionable marketing, sales and accounting practices at the cybersecurity company.

The Telegraph

- Plans to ramp up production of Eurofighter jets have been held back by German foot-dragging on defence spending, the chief of Airbus has said.

- Scottish craft brewer Brewdog has signed a deal with Budweiser as part of plans to boost its presence in China.

Sky News

- Harcus Parker, a London-based commercial litigation law firm, is close to filing what it believes will be among the biggest competition compensation claims in UK history against payment giants Mastercard and Visa.

- Virgin Media O2 and its shareholders are exploring a takeover bid for Trooli, one of the UK's army of 'altnet' fibre broadband companies. ($1 = 0.8308 pounds) (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)