6:43 am, December 4, 2025
Service sector growth slows as price inflation drops to almost five-year low
Growth in the UK services sector slowed down last month amid softer consumer demand, according to new figures.
Meanwhile, price inflation in the sector eased to its lowest level for almost five years.
The S&P Global UK services PMI survey scored a reading of 51.3 in November, dipping from 52.3 in October.
Big Yellow warns annual business rates bill to jump by £1.8m post Budget
Self-storage company Big Yellow has warned its annual business rates bill will jump by £1.8m next year following measures announced in the Budget.
The business said it will be affected by an upcoming tax shake-up, which will see properties worth more than £500,000 taxed at higher rates.
Big Yellow said 27 of its stores will be affected by the change.
Toyota Corolla range tweaked for 2026
The Toyota Corolla range will receive some tweaks and updates for next year’s model line-up.
The Corolla is one of the world’s best-selling cars, having sold more than 50m units since it first went on-sale in 1966, and the latest version is built in Burnaston, Derbyshire, UK.
The Honda Civic rival will receive a choice of new exterior colours including a grey matt paint option on the GR Sport models, while a new Dark Grey metallic option will be available for the rest of the Corolla range.
The markets
The FTSE 100 edged lower on Wednesday, despite strong gains in mining stocks and some brighter economic data.
The British-based index closed down just 9.73 points, 0.1%, at 9,692.07.
In European equities on Wednesday, the CAC 40 in Paris closed up 0.1%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt ended down 0.1%.
Wednesday on Car Dealer
Auto Trader looks to quell Deal Builder backlash as it officially launches Customer Advisory Groups
Auto Trader has launched new Customer Advisory Groups to ease tensions surrounding its controversial Deal Builder rollout. Open to both independent and franchise retailers, the groups will meet in Manchester and London from this month, aiming to rebuild trust through open dialogue.
FCA brings forward deadline for motor finance firms to handle complaints by two months
The FCA will lift its pause on motor finance complaint handling on May 31, two months earlier than planned. It is finalising a compensation scheme for loans from 2007 to 2024, with around 14 million cases potentially eligible for redress over undisclosed commissions.
Exclusive: Family-run Luscombe Motors to expand with Omoda and Jaecoo franchise
Luscombe Motors will add Omoda and Jaecoo to its Leeds site in early 2026, converting a former hot-tub showroom. MD Sam Luscombe says the brands offer strong hybrid options and good value. The move follows a record year with profits reaching £2.6m.
More models given top-tier £3,750 government Electric Car Grant subsidy
Renault’s R4, R5 and Alpine A290 have become cheaper thanks to entering Band 1 of the Electric Car Grant, unlocking £3,750 savings. Updated models receive locally produced green-powered batteries and trim upgrades. The Mini Countryman Electric also joins Band 1, bringing the total qualifying models to eight.
Woman avoids jail for car showroom crash which left victim needing leg amputation
A woman avoided jail after accidentally hitting another customer in a car showroom, causing life-changing injuries and a leg amputation. She admitted careless driving, showed remorse, received a suspended sentence, unpaid work, a driving ban and financial penalties, with compensation left to civil court.
Car Dealer Used Car Awards 2025: Tom Hartley Jnr – Outstanding Achievement Winner
Tom Hartley Jnr won the Outstanding Achievement award at the 2025 Car Dealer Used Car Awards. His firm made £32.33m pre-tax profit, selling high-value collector cars, including Bernie Ecclestone’s collection, with just 16 staff working long hours.
Dilapidated James Bond car now worth £1m after three-year restoration
A family’s wrecked James Bond-style Aston Martin DB5 sports car bought for less than £1,000 in the 1970s has been valued at £1 million following a major restoration.
Welshman John Williams, a welder and garage owner by trade, saved hard to buy his dream car for £900 in 1973 aged just 19, the manufacturer said.
After using it regularly for four years, he mothballed it on his driveway in 1977 when he got a job in the Middle East.
GB Energy aims to attract £15bn funding for renewables
Great British Energy has vowed to generate enough clean energy to power almost 10 million homes, under new spending plans that it hopes will attract £15bn worth of private finance.
The publicly owned energy body published its first strategic plan since being launched last year.
Based in Aberdeen, GB Energy was created with the aim of speeding up the transition to clean energy by investing in the country’s infrastructure and funding green projects.
Weather outlook…
The UK can today expect to see a chilly, wintry mix as winter firmly sets in.
Southern and eastern England will remain cold and damp, with daytime highs around 5–8 °C and frequent rain or drizzle. The Midlands and northern England will be colder still, often near 1–5 °C, with likely rain and patches of frost possible.
In Scotland and highland areas, expect near-freezing temperatures, possible sleet or snow, and short daylight hours — typical early-December conditions.
