6:50 am, December 15, 2025
Bank of England expected to cut interest rates to nearly three-year low
The Bank of England is readying to cut interest rates to the lowest level in nearly three years, delivering a bout of ‘festive news’ to borrowers, economists think.
The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is widely expected to reduce interest rates from 4% to 3.75% on Thursday.
This would bring borrowing costs down to the lowest rate since the beginning of February 2023.
Pre-Budget jitters blamed for surprise contraction in economy
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has come under further pressure as pre-Budget worries and tax hike speculation was widely blamed for an unexpected contraction in the economy during October.
Official figures showed the UK economy shrank for the second month running in October, contracting by 0.1% following a 0.1% decline in September.
Most economists had been expecting a rise of 0.1% for October on hopes of a manufacturing bounceback led by Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) recovery from a major cyber attack.
Volkswagen launches autonomous ‘Gen.Urban’ concept
Volkswagen has launched a new autonomous vehicle onto the streets of Wolfsburg, Germany, with the Gen.Urban concept.
The Gen.Urban is a research vehicle which aims to see how passengers experience riding in a self-driving car as it drives autonomously in urban traffic and real-world driving scenarios.
The vehicle doesn’t feature a steering wheel or pedals, while passengers will be able to customise their preferences via an app or directly in the vehicle, including cabin temperature and ambient lighting.
Shrinking economy takes toll on FTSE 100 amid ‘unsurprising surprise’
The FTSE 100’s early promise faded on Friday amid downbeat economic growth figures and fresh US tech weakness.
The FTSE 100 index closed down 54.1 points, 0.6%, at 9,649.03. It had earlier traded as high as 9,761.47.
In Europe on Friday, the CAC 40 in Paris closed down 0.1%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt ended 0.5% lower.
What have I missed from Car Dealer?
UK car market to return to pre-Covid highs of 10 million in 2026 – Car Dealer Live
Auto Trader predicts the UK car market will return to around 10 million transactions in 2026. Ian Plummer says recovery is steady, not rapid, with modest growth, higher new car prices suppressing demand, and ongoing shortages of three-to-five-year-old used stock.
Car dealer Tim Atkinson gives update on new trade group as he says ‘we need representation’
ndependent dealer Tim Atkinson plans a new trade body, criticising consumer laws designed for fridges, not used cars. He wants a stronger voice for independents with government, regulators and the public, and to challenge Auto Trader’s dominance across the UK.
Weekly Briefing: Here’s what I would do if I was Auto Trader CEO
The Car Dealer Briefing from James Baggott summarises the week’s most important motor trade headlines for you all in one place.
Mitsubishi to kick off UK return with new versions of Outlander PHEV and L200 pick-up
Mitsubishi will restart UK sales in summer 2026 with new Outlander PHEV and L200 models. The Outlander offers over 300bhp, four-wheel drive and seven seats, while the updated L200 brings more power, new tech and enhanced off-road capability for buyers.
Used car supermarket HPL opens fifth site as firm welcomes customers to The Wirral
HPL Motors has opened its fifth site with a new state-of-the-art showroom in the Wirral, following a £4.93m pre-tax profit. The expansion strengthens its North West presence and follows the Stockport opening last year.
Arnold Clark adds Geely to vast list of brands as dealer group announces four new branches
Arnold Clark has signed up as a UK retail partner for Chinese brand Geely, selling its EX5 electric SUV at four English sites. The deal makes Geely Arnold Clark’s 35th brand, as Geely rapidly expands its UK network nationwide presence.
Scottish MP Dave Doogan to appear as key witness in Mackie Motors High Court action
MP Dave Doogan will appear as a witness for Mackie Motors in its High Court case against Renault, Nissan and RCI. The SNP politician has long backed the dealer, which claims its business was unjustly shut down in 2021.
British-born rabbi among at least 12 killed in gun attack on Bondi Beach
At least 12 people, including a British-born rabbi, have died and 29 were injured when two ‘terrorist’ gunmen targeted a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australian police have said.
The gunmen, armed with what police have described as ‘long guns’, opened fire on the Archer Park area of the popular beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday, New South Wales Police said.
The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a Hanukkah celebration at a park next to the beach on the first day of the Jewish festival of lights, also known as Chanukah, the force confirmed.
Resident doctors to announce whether or not strike will go ahead
Hospitals are set to find out whether up to half the medical workforce will be going out on strike during its busy winter period.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has been consulting resident doctors on whether or not to press ahead with a five-day walkout, which is due to start on Wednesday.
Last week the union put an offer from the Government to members, saying the new deal aims to end the ‘jobs crisis for doctors in England’.
Weather outlook…
The UK will still feel unsettled today with widespread wet and windy weather as low-pressure systems continue to dominate.
In the south and southwest, rain will be frequent and heavy at times, with blustery winds and above-average December temperatures. The Midlands will see persistent showers and breezes.
In the north of England and Scotland, rain will be more persistent, with strong winds and occasional heavier bursts likely, making conditions feel damp and blustery across much of the country
