March 24 (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
POUND PROVES HEAVY BURDEN ON EXPORTERS
Factories have been stung by the strength of the pound and continuing problems in the eurozone, according to an industry survey. Manufacturing orders stagnated unexpectedly in March as new business from abroad collapsed at its fastest rate in more than two years. (http://thetim.es/1EL4Y7t)
BUILDER FACES 1 MILLION POUND COST TO REPLACE SKYSCRAPER BOLTS
Severfield Plc, Britain's largest steelmaker that delivered the steel structures for the Cheesegrater in London has admitted that replacing the skyscraper's faulty bolts will cost at least 1 million pounds ($1.50 million). Severfield said that replacing the bolts is likely to last for the rest of the year. (http://thetim.es/1HtmYTY)
The Guardian
AFZAL AMIN QUITS AS TORY CANDIDATE FOR DUDLEY NORTH AFTER EDL PLOT ALLEGATIONS
Afzal Amin, the Conservative candidate who was recorded allegedly plotting with the English Defence League, has resigned "with immediate effect" to avoid a disciplinary hearing by the party. Tory sources had said that evidence against Amin was so overwhelming that he would be removed as the party candidate in Dudley North in days. (http://bit.ly/1FRyrhC)
DAVID CAMERON: I WOULD NOT SERVE THIRD TERM AS PM
David Cameron unexpectedly ruled out serving a third term in office, causing dismay in Conservative circles as he highlighted three potential successors. Cameron named home secretary Theresa May, chancellor George Osborne and London mayor Boris Johnson as potential Conservative leaders. (http://bit.ly/1ECQwf9)
The Telegraph
ECB HITS OUT AT GREEK 'BLACKMAIL' CLAIMS AS MERKEL HOLDS STEADY IN BAIL-OUT DEMANDS
The European Central Bank hit back at claims it is "blackmailing" Greece over its protracted bail-out, as the impasse between Athens and its international creditors showed no sign of easing. (http://bit.ly/19LGtgp)
FORMER HMRC BOSS: I TOOK JOB AT HSBC TO HELP FIX BANK
A former senior official at HM Revenue and Customs has defended taking a job at HSBC Bank Plc, saying that "leadership at the bank were determined to put things right". Dave Hartnett, HMRC's former head of tax, said he "believed in HSBC chief executive Stuart Gulliver's vision of sorting out the bank and making it one of the best in the world". (http://bit.ly/1BcwAyG)
Sky News
GEORGE OSBORNE SAYS ECONOMY STILL STRUGGLING
The Chancellor has admitted the UK's economic problems are not over and there is "lots more work to do". George Osborne also insisted Britain should be "in Europe, but not run by Europe" as he defended the government's decisions on a range of issues including savers and zero hours contracts. (http://bit.ly/1BobCfs)