6:27 am, August 10, 2026
Hot weather and World Cup spending boost drives UK business recovery
Business activity returned to growth last month after warm weather and the World Cup helped boost consumer spending, according to new figures.
The latest business trends report by advisory firm BDO showed that activity strengthened, but highlighted that business confidence is still ‘subdued’. It indicated that a longer-term recovery is therefore ‘unlikely to be sustained’ without government support.
The research showed that the rebound was largely driven by the services sector, with hospitality and retail benefiting from increased domestic tourism, as well as a World Cup uplift. Experts also suggested that there an initial ‘Burnham bounce’ during the month after Andy Burnham’s appointment as prime minister contributed to a modest rebound in business optimism.
Andy Burnham faces choice on drilling as North Sea consultation closes
Andy Burnham faces pressure over North Sea oil and gas as a decision on allowing new drilling moves closer.
As Britain braces for its fifth heatwave, environmental groups have urged the prime minister to refuse permission for oil and gas production in two areas of the North Sea, known as Jackdaw and Rosebank, as part of the fight against climate change. But opposition politicians, the oil and gas industry and US president Donald Trump have called for him to grant permission, arguing this would protect jobs and cut household bills.
Production at both Jackdaw and Rosebank was approved by the Conservatives, but a court quashed those decisions last year after a challenge from Greenpeace, leaving the Labour government to decide whether to go ahead.
Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 gains new Calligraphy Black Ink range-topper
Hyundai is broadening the range of specifications available on its Ioniq 9 with a new Calligraphy Black Ink trim.
Building on the existing Calligraphy, the new Calligraphy Black Ink brings – as the name suggests – a range of black-coloured elements for a stealthier appearance both inside and out.
The Calligraphy Black Ink comes in at £79,320, and like the regular Calligraphy, comes with a full panoramic sunroof, a 14-speaker Bose sound system and a head-up display. As standard, an efficiency-boosting heat pump is fitted, as well as heated and ventilated front and rear seats.
The markets
Stocks ended a winning week on the front foot on Friday, while the pound pushed higher against the dollar after weak US jobs figures.
The FTSE 100 Index closed up 33.20 points, 0.3%, at 10,901.09. The FTSE 250 ended up 159.44 points, 0.7%, at 24,854.86, another record close, while the AIM All-Share closed up 8.76 points, 1.1%, at 795.89.
The pound traded at 1.3498 dollars on Friday afternoon, up from 1.3454 dollars at the equities close on Thursday.
Burnham to promise ‘everyday fixes’ for bills at start of cost-of-living tour
Andy Burnham will begin his summer cost-of-living tour on Monday pledging to provide ‘everyday fixes’ for rising bills.
The prime minister intends to spend much of the rest of August travelling the country asking the public how the government can improve their lives.
He is expected to announce a series of ‘everyday fixes’ to reduce costs, promising to ‘pull every single lever we can to provide people with some room to breathe on the cost of living’.
Met Office considers issuing rare extreme heat warning amid 36C forecast
Temperatures could reach 36C or higher this week, forecaster have said, with possible impacts to railway lines and power networks as the Met Office considers issuing rare amber or red extreme heat warnings.
Parts of the UK are set to see their fifth heatwave of the summer as the country continues to bake in an unprecedented period of dry, hot weather.
Monday will be slightly cooler before temperatures rise again on Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to peak at 36C on Thursday.
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Consultation on slashing 2030 ZEV Mandate target for electric cars ‘as soon as next week’
Fresh reports have emerged that the government is considering watering down ZEV Mandate targets to as little as 50%.
Desira Group founder John Desira dies after more than 50 years in motor trade
Desira Group founder and chairman John Desira has died after more than five decades in the motor trade, the firm has announced.
Used EVs dominate July as Porsche Taycan leads price gains while old favourites slide
Used electric cars dominated July’s list of biggest price risers, with dealers cashing in on soaring demand.
Remember when used EV prices were crashing? Look at them now…
Electric cars propped up used car values in July and flew off dealer forecourts, latest data shows.
Carzam liquidators still tracing vehicles four years later as £20m creditor bill remains unpaid
Liquidators for online used car retailer Carzam are still trying to trace vehicles sold around the time it went into administration more than four years later.
Eden Motor Group expands Mazda representation with new Exeter dealership
Eden Motor Group has expanded its Mazda representation with the official opening of a new dealership in Exeter.
Lookers adds two new Leapmotor dealerships as Chinese EV brand expands UK network
Lookers has expanded its partnership with Chinese electric vehicle brand Leapmotor by opening two new dealerships in Liverpool and Chester.
Weather
Today will be dry for most, with sunny spells and variable cloud, particularly in the far north and parts of the south, reports BBC Weather. Northern areas will turn cloudier this afternoon.
Tonight stays largely dry and clear, although Scotland will be cloudier with light rain or drizzle developing in the far north-west.