Aug 21 (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

- Nearly 1 billion pounds ($1.30 billion) was wiped off the

stock market value of BT Group after Sky struck a deal

with one of its biggest competitors to supply fibre broadband to

households throughout Britain.

The Guardian

- Rachel Reeves is planning to raise taxes, cut spending and

get tough on benefits in October's budget amid Treasury alarm

that the pickup in the economy has failed to improve the poor

state of the public finances.

- UK citizens travelling to the EU next summer will have to

pay a 7 euro ($7.78) visa-waiver charge after the EU revealed

its timeline for the introduction of new border checks and entry

requirements for some visitors.

The Telegraph

- Labour-run Newham Council is considering legal action

against the government after Angela Rayner gave London City

Airport the green light to fly millions of extra passengers a

year.

Sky News

- A pilot scheme scrapping peak-time ScotRail fares will end

next month following a "limited degree of success".

($1 = 0.8994 euros)

($1 = 0.7677 pounds)

(Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)