6:23 am, August 17, 2026
What impact will July’s energy price hike have on UK inflation figures?
Higher energy prices are expected to send UK inflation surging back up when official figures are released on Wednesday amid fears the summer’s record heatwaves may also start putting pressure on food costs.
Many experts are forecasting that Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation will rise to 2.9% in July, up from a 15-month low of 2.6% in June and the highest rate since March.
It would come on the back of a 13% hike in Ofgem’s energy price cap last month, which saw the average gas and electricity bill increase by £221 to £1,862 a year.
Mothercare warns over risk to future trading as sales plunge
Struggling baby products firm Mothercare has warned there is a ‘material uncertainty’ over its future if trading conditions worsen.
Shares in the company fell by 17% to 0.75p on Friday as it revealed tumbling revenues, driven by uncertainty in the Middle East and the end of its UK supply deal with Boots.
The London-listed company, which primarily runs international franchises and makes products to supply for retail, stressed that it believes it has ‘sufficient cash’ to operate for the next 12 months. But the latest annual accounts showed that the company would ‘have insufficient cash’ at certain time period if ‘trading conditions were to deteriorate’ or it was unable to improve its cost and cash management sufficiently.
McLaren’s McL 6GT arrives with lightweight focus and manual gearbox
McLaren has created its first manual gearbox road car since its iconic F1.
Called the McL 6GT, it’s a lightweight supercar which ‘celebrates purity in design and driver connection’, according to the brand.
Revealed at Monterey Car Week in California and said to channel founder Bruce McLaren’s lightweight ethos, the McL 6GT is a concept which previews a production-ready version which will be introduced in 2028.
The markets
Stocks in London closed mixed on Friday, with weak mining and pharmaceutical stocks dragging the blue-chip FTSE 100 lower, but mid-caps posting modest gains.
The FTSE 100 index closed down 22.56 points, 0.2%, at 10,750.11. The FTSE 250 ended up 29.71 points, 0.1%, at 24,867.42, while the AIM All-Share closed up slightly at 800.92.
The pound traded at 1.3550 US dollars on Friday afternoon, up from 1.3498 dollars at the equities close on Thursday. The euro stood higher at 1.1583 dollars against 1.1535 dollars. Against the yen, the dollar was lower at 159.12 yen, compared to 159.33 yen.
Angela Rayner promises action to tackle housing crisis with planning shake-up
Thousands more homes could be built near railway stations, pubs will be given extra protection from being closed and the planning system will be streamlined under new measures set out by the government.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said the shift to a ‘default yes’ to developments around stations in England would help ‘tackle the housing crisis and raise living standards’.
The change comes with the government just over a quarter of the way to its target of building 1.5 million homes in England after two years of the five-year parliament.
PM urged to stick to spirit of Labour manifesto and reject Jackdaw and Rosebank
Andy Burnham has been urged to ‘stick to the spirit of Labour’s manifesto commitment’ and refuse consent for the controversial Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas fields.
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) – a campaign group made up of more than 70 different organisations with around one million supporters – insisted the new prime minister must block the proposed new developments in the North Sea.
It told the prime minister that the lifetime carbon emissions from the two proposed developments could result in up to 65,495 excess heat deaths by the end of this century – adding this would be equivalent to the entire population of the city of Inverness.
Latest on Car Dealer
Government launches review of ZEV mandate as car dealers call for lighter targets
The government has officially launched its long-awaited review of the ZEV mandate, amid a growing revolt among the automotive industry.
Vertu expands partnership and becomes Burnley FC’s new front-of-shirt sponsor
Vertu has expanded its partnership with Burnley Football Club to become the Premier League side’s front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 season.
Ferrari creates bespoke one-off supercar exclusively for US-based client
Ferrari has unveiled a bespoke one-off supercar based on the SF90 Stradale.
Volvo research found buyers felt they were ‘making a compromise’ with EVs
Volvo says customers moving from petrol cars to electric vehicles have often felt they were ‘making a compromise’ because of range anxiety and charging inconvenience.
Family-run Snows sees profits soar by 150% after major shake-up of dealer network
Family-owned Snows Motor Group has more than doubled its profits following a year of significant change.
Why I’ve fallen in love with a Toyota Vellfire – a family car you’ve probably never heard of
James Baggott has stumbled across a Japanese import at Clever Car Collection and ended up using it himself.
JLR profits plunge 69% to £109m in first quarter as revenue and sales fall
JLR’s pre-tax profit plunged by almost 69% in the first quarter, although the British carmaker did remain in the black.
Revealed: The ZEV mandate changes the motor trade wants to see
EV demand is not strong enough to support ZEV mandate goals and the targets need to be watered down.
Weather
Northern areas will see rain sweeping in from the west today, turning heavy in places during the afternoon, reports BBC Weather. Further south will be mostly cloudy with scattered showers and occasional sunny spells.
Tonight, rain moves north-eastwards before showers follow, while cloud and rain spread southwards across the rest of the UK.