Jan 17 (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
Rolls-Royce pays 671 million stg to settle bribery claims
Four years of bribery and corruption investigations across five continents have ended with Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc making a 671 million pound ($807.62 million) out-of-court settlement with fraud-busters and international government agencies. The settlement, under which Rolls-Royce will pay the Serious Fraud Office just shy of 500 million pounds, is a record. http://bit.ly/2ivxI2D
The Guardian
Bank of England 'keeping close eye on UK consumer spending'
The Bank of England is keeping a close watch on consumer spending amid signs households are dipping into their savings and amassing debts to keep spending in the face of rising inflation. Mark Carney, the Bank governor, said consumer spending had held up since last summer's vote to leave the EU but he reiterated a warning that living costs were likely to rise on the back of a weak pound and squeeze households' real incomes. http://bit.ly/2jRylzO
IMF upgrades UK forecast but notes Brexit terms are 'unsettled'
The International Monetary Fund has upgraded its forecasts for the UK economy this year after the latest signs that businesses and consumers have shrugged off the Brexit vote. Unveiling its new forecasts on the eve of a key speech by Theresa May on the Brexit process, the Washington-based fund also cut the outlook for 2018, reflecting widespread uncertainty over Britain's future outside the EU. http://bit.ly/2jXn6d5
New BT service could end nuisance phone calls
Nuisance calls could largely be eradicated under a new BT service that allows phone users to block firms making the calls, which other telecom firms are expected to follow. Many smartphones already allow users to block numbers after receiving unwanted marketing calls. But the new BT call protect system allows users to block the companies themselves even when they change numbers. http://bit.ly/2ivFCJ8
The Telegraph
Angry Birds maker Rovio opens London gaming studio
The company behind the once-mighty smartphone game Angry Birds is opening its first UK office, tasked with spearheading the development of new multiplayer games. Headquartered in Finland, Rovio Entertainment (IPO-RVEY.N) will hire 20 people over the next two years to a studio in central London where they will design new games separate to the Angry Birds brand. http://bit.ly/2jhAQfw
New radar system for Royal Navy guarantees hundreds of British jobs