Aug 18 (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 acquisition of Oxford Ionics by IonQ ( IONQ ) at $1.1

billion could be delayed as the deal is subject to national

security checks by the government under the National Security

and Investment Act (NSIA).

- British motorists can now lease a Tesla electric

vehicle for just over half what it cost a year ago, as Elon

Musk's company attempts to boost its flagging sales in the UK.

The Guardian

- Sanjeev Gupta is planning a pre-pack deal to avert Liberty

Steel's Speciality Steel UK Arm from liquidation.

- Three of the UK's biggest supermarkets, Tesco ( TSCDF ),

Asda and Sainsbury's ( JSNSF ) have suspended supplies from

Somerby Top Farm after footage filmed covertly by an animal

rights organisation appeared to show workers kicking piglets and

hitting them with boards and paddles.

The Telegraph

- Great Portland has hired lawyers to investigate

claims about its company culture made by a whistleblower.

- Biffa, one of the UK's biggest waste management companies

is battling a plague of fires caused by exploding disposable

vapes.

Sky News

- Hedley Studios, a company which makes miniaturised

electric versions of classic cars has secured a rescue deal led

by an American merchant banking group.

The Independent

- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to

Washington for meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other European

leaders on Monday.

(Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)