PRESS DIGEST-British Business - April 2

April 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

- Ten carmakers, including BMW BMWG.DE and Ford F.N, and two trade bodies have reached a settlement with the UK's antitrust regulator to pay 77.7 million pounds ($100.41 million) in fine after admitting to breaking vehicle recycling-related competition law.

The Guardian

- U.S. State Department officials have challenged Britain's communications regulator Ofcom over the impact on freedom of expression created by new online safety laws.

The Telegraph

- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to finalise a package of economic concessions to the U.S. in an attempt to persuade Donald Trump to spare the UK from his trade war.

Sky News

- Former chair of UK's parliamentary watchdog Ian Kennedy, who chaired IPSA until 2016, is among the candidates being considered by government officials as the inaugural chair of the Independent Football Regulator

The Independent

- U.S. President Donald Trump has formally signed off British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Chagos islands deal, Downing Street has said.

($1 = 0.7738 pounds)