Friday newspaper round-up: Vodafone, Shell, Pound

Britain's biggest telecoms company is to have a new auditor for the first time since floating on the stock market in 1988. Vodafone will end its 26-year relationship with Deloitte, handing its audit mandate to PwC, one of the firm's "Big Four" rivals and the auditor of more FTSE 100 companies than any other. - The TimesShell is to sell off three oil and gas producing assets in the North Sea as the new chief executive's divestment gathers pace. The disposal of the Anasuria, Nelson and Sean platforms and production systems come at a sensitive political time when other energy bosses have signalled that the forthcoming referendum on Scottish independence is undermining the investment climate. - The GuardianThe pound climbed close to a three-year high against the dollar on Thursday, amid signs Britain's economy will continue to strengthen. Sterling rose by almost a cent to $1.6673, its highest level since May 2011. The pound has risen more than 13% against the dollar since July 2013 amid a positive run of economic data and stronger-than-expected growth. On Wednesday, the Bank of England upgraded its forecast for UK growth to 3.4% in 2014, from a previous projection of 2.8%. - The TelegraphBudget airline EasyJet has suffered a backlash over its boardroom pay plans, which saw Chief Executive Carolyn McCall enjoy a 75% jump in her total package last year. The carrier has had numerous disputes with its founder and largest shareholder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, over its pay deals and expansion plans, and said 45% of investors voted against its remuneration policy at yesterday's annual meeting. - ScotsmanEuropean politicians have called for a thorough investigation of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation after The Telegraph disclosed reporting irregularities stretching back over a decade. Sharon Bowles, chairwoman of the European Parliament's Econ committee, has written to Michel Barnier, the internal markets Commissioner, to raise "serious concerns" about the London-based organisation's governance. - The TelegraphThe former Chief Executive of Lloyds Banking Group, Eric Daniels, is facing the confiscation of a past bonus over the escalating insurance mis-selling bill, which sent the bank to an after-tax loss of £802m last year. The board pay committee, chaired by Tony Watson, will meet within the next few days to consider whether more of a share-based award to Mr Daniels in 2010 should be clawed back as the bill for mis-sold payment protection insurance ballooned by another £3.05bn last year to total £9.8bn. - The TimesVodafone claimed last night that the price paid for India's new telecoms licences would leave companies saddled with debts for years and harm consumers, after the government celebrated raising 610bn rupees, more than treble initial forecasts. The British operator has paid 196bn rupees (£1.9bn), nearly a third of the total amount raised, to retain its three existing licence zones. - The TimesAB