Week in pictures: October 12

Shadow chancellor George Osborne responded with scorn to chancellor Alistair Darling's pre-budget report in the Houses of Parliament. (Read the article) Photograph: PA

Tesco has been forced to abandon plans to build a store on the edge of Ballycastle, close to the World Heritage site The Giant’s Causeway, after a campaign by local traders. (Read the article) Photograph: David Sanger/Getty

The governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King said that too many of Britain's most talented young people are being lured into financial careers by the huge bonuses on offer. (Read the article) Photograph: Frank Baron/Guardian

Gordon Brown has finally given the green light to the £16bn Crossrail scheme, which will create an additional 30,000 jobs. It is expected to contribute £20bn to the economy. (Read the article) Photograph: David Levene/Guardian

Retailers are predicting that a new Dalek mask, made of flesh-pink ribbed plastic, which changes the voice of the wearer to the metallic scream of the Doctor’s mortal enemies, will be one of the must-have toys this Christmas. (Read the article) Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty

Brewing giants SABMiller and Molson Coors merge their US arms in an effort to save $500m (£246m). (Read the article) Photograph: PR

Poorer gas and electricity customers who use prepayment meters are being charged more than wealthier direct debit consumers, a household fuel survey claims. (Read the article) Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA

Conservative party donor and deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft astonished dealers this week with news of an extraordinary deal for OneSource Services that will bring a timely multi-million pound boost to his personal fortune. (Read the article) Photograph: Terry O'Neill/PA

The Arrivals Hall at St Pancras International station, the new terminal railway station for Eurostar trains in north London. (Read the article) Photograph: David Levene/Guardian

GlaxoSmithKline's European president of pharmaceuticals, Andrew Witty, has triumphed in the battle to succeed chief executive Jean-Pierre Garnier as CEO of the pharmaceuticals giant He will take over in May 2008 when Mr Garnier retires from the company. (Read the article) Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

Irish brewer C&C, maker of Magners cider, is planning significant job cuts after its profits were decimated by the poor summer weather. (Read the article) Photograph: Frank Baron/Guardian