The FTSE 100 index closed up 46.09 points, 0.5%, at 8,972.64. The FTSE 250 ended up 164.57 points, 0.8%, at 21,766.43, and the AIM All-Share closed down 3.17 points, 0.4%, at 768.93.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday signed a treaty that is set to free up school exchange visits and passport e-gates. The agreement was also signed by ...