The business week in pictures

EasyJet is launching a service from London to the Jordanian capital of Amman, but has warned some other routes are likely to be axed and fares could rise because of high fuel prices. Meanwhile, Ryanair has added a €2 levy to cover EU rules on compensation Photograph: Barry Batchelor/PA

Oil companies are warning chancellor George Osborne that his increased tax on North Sea oil and gas production could threaten the viability of operations in the area. Norwegian oil company Statoil has suspended development work in the new Mariner and Bressay fields to the south-east of Shetland Photograph: www.alamy.com

The government is proposing to sell its 49% stake in Nats, Britain's national air traffic controller, possibly by the end of the year Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP

The UK has been overtaken by Germany as the world's third largest music market after CD sales collapsed by almost a fifth, while PRS for Music, which collects money for artists, has reported its first fall in total royalties Photograph: Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Data on the global housing market revealed a strong price growth in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East but stagnation in Europe and the US Photograph: Victor Fraile/Corbis

Electricals superstore group Best Buy denies that its fledgling UK chain is in trouble and says it plans to open five stores this year Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty

The sandwich chain Pret A Manger announced a 37% profit increase, boosted by sales of 50,000 porridge pots a week Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

The boss of electricals group Dixons said government cuts were having a 'chilling effect' on consumers and causing wilting high street demand. Meanwhile, clothing retailer Officers Club called in the administrators, with the loss of 500 jobs. The fact that real household disposable income has fallen for the first time in 30 years will not lighten the mood Photograph: www.alamy.com

Travel company Thomas Cook revealed that UK demand for foreign holidays had fallen sharply, forcing it to cut the number of holidays it offers Photograph: Dean Sanderson/Corbis

Bailed out Lloyds Banking Group has handed its new chief executive António Horta-Osório a package of up to £13.4m after luring him from Santander. He has pledged to reduce customer complaints by 20% and speed up the sell-off of branches Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP

The Spanish government has slashed its solar power subsidies due to the country's economic problems. Neighbours Portugal may get help to ease its debt crisis from Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff Photograph: Samuel Aranda/Getty Images

David Sokol, considered the most likely candidate to succeed billionaire investor Warren Buffett, resigned after coming under a cloud for buying shares in an oil company he suggested Buffett should buy Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty

More bad news for the UK economy came on Thursday from mortgage lenders – who face a rise in the rate of defaults – retailers Mothercare and Laura Ashley – both suffering a fall in sales – and a GfK NOP survey which found consumer confidence is still at rock bottom Photograph: Rex Features