REFILE-PRESS DIGEST-British Business - January 2

Jan 2 (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

- The British motor finance business of Mercedes-Benz MBGn.DE swung to a 364.6 million pound ($491.63 million) loss in 2024 after booking the biggest charge yet over mis-sold car loans scandal.

- Ikea will focus on opening smaller city-centre stores in Britain and halt new big-box sites as rising property taxes squeeze costs, its outgoing UK-Ireland chief executive said.

The Guardian

- The EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism takes effect from January 1, forcing importers of steel, cement and other high-carbon goods to comply or face penalties.

The Telegraph

- Uber UBER.N is rewriting driver contracts outside London to shift VAT liability and limit its tax bill as Britain closes a VAT loophole.

- The United States sharply lowered proposed new duties on several Italian pasta makers following a preliminary review of their alleged anti-dumping activities, the Italian foreign ministry said.

Sky News

- Spire Healthcare has set January 20 deadline for potential bidders as Britain's biggest private hospital operator faces shareholder pressure to explore a sale.

($1 = 0.7416 pounds)