6:44 am, January 12, 2026
UK economy set to have returned to growth despite budget caution
The UK economy is set to have returned to growth in November as car production recovered following the Jaguar Land Rover cyber attack, according to economists.
Experts have pointed to stronger growth for the month despite caution in the run-up to the autumn budget at the end of the month.
Monthly UK GDP (gross domestic product) is expected to have risen by 0.2% in November when the Office for National Statistics unveils its latest figures on Thursday January 15, according to economists at Pantheon Macroeconomics and Investec.
Sainsbury’s festive grocery sales sparkle but non-food arm and Argos struggle
Sainsbury’s has revealed a jump in festive grocery sales as customers traded up to its premium own-brand range but revealed ongoing pressure in its non-food arm and Argos business.
The UK’s second largest supermarket chain behind Tesco posted a 5.1% rise in total grocery sales over the six weeks to January 3, helped by strong demand for its Taste the Difference products.
But Argos sales fell 2.2% in the period and Sainsbury’s non-food and clothing sales were 1% lower.
Mazda takes covers off CX-6e electric SUV at Brussels Motor Show
Mazda has used the Brussels Motor Show to unveil its next entry into the electric SUV market with the CX-6e.
The CX-6e is a midsize family car that is equipped with a 78kWh battery pack and a single rear-mounted electric motor to produce 254bhp and 290Nm of torque. A range of 300 niles is quoted, plus all models are compatible with 195kW DC rapid-charging.
Inside, the interior design of the car has been inspired by a Japanese concept called ‘Ma’, which means the ‘beauty of empty space’. The cabin is dominated by a 26-inch touchscreen display, while the wraparound door cards give a sporty element. Order books open in the summer
The markets
The FTSE 100 ended a record-breaking week in fine style, pushing back towards record levels, boosted by a possible mega-mining deal and a rebound in the oil price.
The FTSE 100 index closed up 79.91 points, 0.8%, at 10,124.60. The FTSE 250 index ended up 144.50 points, 0.6%, at 23,036.80, and the AIM All-Share was up 5.57 points, 0.7%, at 790.42.
The pound was quoted at 1.3407 US dollars at the time of the London equities close on Friday, down from 1.3431 US dollars on Thursday. The euro was lower at 1.1631 US dollars from 1.1657 US dollars. Against the yen, the dollar was trading at 158.06 yen, up from 156.93 yen.
Lord Peter Mandelson refuses to apologise for association with Jeffrey Epstein
Lord Peter Mandelson declined to apologise to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims for remaining friends with the paedophile financier after his conviction.
The former UK ambassador to the US said he had paid a ‘calamitous’ price in being sacked over his association with ‘evil monster’ Epstein.
He apologised for a system which meant Epstein’s victims were not listened to, but not for his own association with the sex offender which continued after his first conviction.
US official warns UK against ‘Russia-style’ ban on X over AI-generated images
Donald Trump’s free speech tsar has compared the government’s threats against social media platform X to Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Sarah Rogers, under-secretary for public diplomacy at the US State Department, made the comparison as part of a series of messages criticising the UK.
Technology secretary Liz Kendall said the government would back regulator Ofcom if it decided to implement a ban on accessing X from the UK over its artificial intelligence Grok being used to create deepfake images.
Latest on Car Dealer
Video: New car discounts pushed used EV prices down in December as values fall 2%
December had one last sting in the tail for used car retail values as prices of second-hand EVs slumped by 2%.
Car salesman appears in court charged with scamming customers out of £300,000
A car salesman has appeared in court after being accused of scamming customers out of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Dick Lovett re-opens Bristol Porsche Centre after 18-month refurbishment programme
Premium car dealer Dick Lovett has brought in the new year by re-opening its upgraded state-of-the-art new Porsche Centre in Bristol.
Seven top tips on how to get the most money for your part exchanges
Dealerway explains its top tips for getting the most money for your part exchanges in this sponsored post
Weather
Windy with rain in north-west Scotland today, while elsewhere stays breezy and largely dry with variable cloud, reports BBC Weather. Cloud thickens in the afternoon bringing outbreaks of rain.
Tonight remains cloudy with showers in parts of the north and west, clearer spells elsewhere, isolated showers and easing winds.
