5:55 am, December 8, 2025
50,000 new apprenticeships promised by ministers
Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce a major investment in apprenticeships on Monday in an effort to tackle rising youth unemployment.
Some 50,000 young people are expected to benefit from the £725m investment, in which more apprenticeships will be created in sectors including AI, hospitality and engineering.
The government is aiming to reverse a decline in the number of young people starting apprenticeships, which has fallen by almost 40% in the past decade.
Jeep creates one-off Avenger Stargazer
Jeep has revealed a one-off concept which looks to the sky for inspiration with the Avenger Stargazer.
The creation was made after the American firm conducted a survey of 2,000 adults about the night sky and found that 32 per cent admit their knowledge is lacking on the topic, while a further 73 per cent are interested in learning more.
The car features a smart telescope fitted into the sunroof and a custom-built integrated cabinet located in the boot, which can store items such as the telescope, its mount, binoculars, red-light head torches, touch-screen gloves and weatherproof clothing.
US unions want Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery merger blocked
The US streaming giant Netflix said on Friday that it had agreed to buy Warner Bros Discovery film and TV studios business in a $72bn US dollar (£54bn) deal.
Labour unions Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), which represent writers in film, television, radio and online media, issued a joint statement calling for the deal to be stopped.
They said it would eliminate jobs, push down wages and worsen conditions for entertainment workers, among other things.
Midlands and North West ‘will overtake London for house price growth’
The Midlands and the North West of England are poised to out-perform London for cumulative percentage house price growth since prices reached a low point after the 2008 financial crash, according to a housing market forecast.
Overall, house prices are expected to record ‘modest’ percentage growth next year, rising by 2.5% annually across Britain in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to Hamptons.
But price growth in London is expected to be flat, with a 0.0% annual change in the fourth quarter of 2026 as the market digests tax changes, the property firm said.
Remastered version of Lotus S1 Esprit
The Lotus S1 Esprit has made a comeback as a restomod with the reveal of the Encor Series 1.
Encor is a British engineering company that is responsible for modernising iconic automotive designs, and the Series 1 is its latest creation.
The Encor Series 1 features a carbon fibre body and is powered by a mid-mounted 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine that produces 400bhp and 474Nm of torque, while 0-60mph is anticipated to take around four seconds and the top speed is 175mph.
Volvo cancels dealer’s contract with immediate effect
Brindley has been given an immediate termination notice by Volvo following a dispute over operating from a temporary showroom.
BMW and Keyloop team up to showcase new Fusion ARP to 100 franchised car dealers
The Farnborough event gave 100 car dealers a detailed, hands-on look at how Fusion ARP could streamline sales and aftersales from next year.
Nissan’s Electric Encounters Live showcase for Leaf and Micra reaches half-way point
Nissan’s Electric Encounters Live tour is halfway through its UK dealership roadshow, showcasing the new Leaf and Micra EVs.
Weather outlook
Some dry weather today, but conditions are set to deteriorate overnight.
Showers will continue in Northern Ireland and Scotland, with sunny spells further south, before rain pushes in from the southwest.
By tonight heavy rain and gale-force winds will spread northeast, bringing a risk of flooding, travel disruption and increasingly mild temperatures.
