6:27 am, August 27, 2026
Rising energy bills ‘difficult’ for people, Andy Burnham says
Prime minister Andy Burnham has said rising energy bills are ‘difficult’ for people after Ofgem raised its price cap by 4% to a three-year high and analysts forecast a further 9% hike from January.
‘It’s difficult for people and I recognise that,’ he told reporters in London. ‘But it’s why, within days of taking office, I announced that we would remove VAT off electricity bills to give people that little bit of help. That kicks in from October. We’ll continue to look as we go forward at how we get energy prices down in the long term, and that’s what we need to do too.’
The regulator said its price cap will rise by £60 per year – or £5 per month – to £1,723 for the average household using both electricity and gas if this level was sustained for a year.
Meta agrees to new protections for teenagers in US in 18bn dollar settlement
Facebook and Instagram owner Meta has agreed to pay up to 18 billion US dollars (£13.3bn) as part of a settlement ending a legal battle in the US, where it will also introduce major new protections for teenage users.
The agreement resolves claims filed by 47 US states accusing the tech giant of designing Instagram with features that are addictive to children and teenagers and can harm their mental health.
It brings an end to a trial that kicked off last week in California and that had expected to see chief executive Mark Zuckerberg give evidence before a jury in federal court. The settlement is viewed as one of the largest in state consumer protection history in the US.
Audi confirms £103,900 starting price for flagship Q9
Audi’s new Q9 has gone on sale in the UK with a starting price of £103,900.
From launch, the range-topping SUV will come equipped with a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel V6 engine with mild-hybrid assistance, bringing an electric-powered compressor for improved throttle response. It’s all driven through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and permanent all-wheel-drive.
Initially, the Q9 will be available in Edition 1 and Vorsprung specifications, at £103,900 and £113,250 respectively. Deliveries commence in November.
The markets
London’s FTSE 100 faded into the close on Wednesday, posting modest losses, as a strong US inflation print knocked sentiment ahead of Nvidia earnings.
The FTSE 100 index closed down 8.04 points, 0.1%, at 10,878.12. The FTSE 250 ended up 41.79 points, 0.2%, at 24,897.84, and the AIM All-Share closed down 0.58 of a point, 0.1%, at 814.90.
The pound traded at 1.3590 dollars on Wednesday afternoon, down from 1.3632 dollars at the equities close on Tuesday. Against the euro, sterling eased to 1.1664 euro from 1.1683 euro.
Rescuers search for dozens of Britons among those missing in Nepal after floods
Rescuers are searching for dozens of British nationals who are among those missing and feared dead in Nepal after devastating flash floods killed more than 160 people.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority in Nepal said on Thursday morning that 165 bodies had been recovered following flooding in the Rasuwa region, which borders China’s autonomous region of Tibet.
They said the number of missing people had risen from 403 to 826, with the Nepal Tourism Board saying on Wednesday that 33 UK citizens were among 341 foreign nationals unaccounted for.
Girl, seven, and aunt died in house fire a mile from A66 crash site – reports
A seven-year-old girl and her aunt died in a house fire less than a mile from the site of a crash on the A66 which killed seven people, according to reports.
Valentina Foster, aged seven, and Natalie McDonald, 34, died following the blaze at an end-of-terrace property in Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough.
Cleveland Police said two men, aged 23 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and they remain in police custody following the fire.
Wednesday on Car Dealer
Agency sales three years on: What car dealer accounts really tell us about the model
Agency sales have structurally changed the shape of Britain’s franchised car dealers, wiping huge sums from reported turnover, new-car stock from balance sheets and changing margins – but has it actually made them better businesses?
Family-run Williams Motor Group toasts ‘resilient performance’ despite dip in profits
Bosses at the family-run Williams Motor Group have hailed the retailer’s ‘resilient performance’ in 2025, despite a small dip in profits.
Carwow sells German business to mobile.de as group shifts focus to UK and Spain growth
German vehicle marketplace mobile.de has agreed to acquire Carwow’s German business as part of a deal designed to strengthen its new car, leasing and used vehicle sourcing operations.
Interest in Chinese cars reaches record level as half of buyers say they are ‘open’ to switch
Almost half of UK drivers would now consider buying a Chinese car, according to new data from Carwow.
Lotus brought together under single business as tech arm acquires UK operations
Lotus is set to operate as a single business after its technology arm completed the acquisition of the brand’s UK operations.
Renault 5 gets more range and updated tech ahead of Paris Motor Show
Renault has announced a series of upgrades to its much-loved electric 5 hatchback as the French brand looks to make the model more efficient.
SMMT chief warns ZEV Mandate could damage used EV residual values
The government’s ZEV Mandate could damage used electric car residual values by forcing manufacturers to discount new EVs heavily.
Weather
Heavy rain will push northwards across England and Wales today, reports BBC Weather, leaving sunny spells and thundery showers in its wake.
Tonight, the heavy rain will reach Scotland, eastern Northern Ireland and north-eastern England. Further south, it’ll be drier with a few showers.