6:50 am, January 14, 2026
More than 5,000 pubs facing sharp business rate hikes as tax valuations double
More 5,000 pubs are set for sharp jumps in business rates after their property tax valuations doubled following the autumn budget, the boss of a Government agency has warned.
Jonathan Russell, chief executive of the Valuation Office Agency, confirmed a significant increase in the figures used to calculate property taxes for pubs at Parliament’s Treasury Select Committee on Tuesday.
It comes after weeks of criticism from pub bosses, industry chiefs and politicians over changes to business rates in the Budget announced in November.
Nearly one in five adults have a side hustle, survey indicates
Nearly one in five people have an additional job or side hustle, research indicates.
Some 17% of women have an additional venture, as do 18% of men, a survey for Scottish Widows found.
The research found that, for women, buying and reselling on online platforms is a particularly popular way to make extra cash.
Renault reveals flagship Filante SUV
Renault has unveiled its new flagship SUV which will become the French brand’s biggest ever production car when it goes on sale later in the year.
Named the ‘Filante’, the car will measure almost 15ft long and over 5ft high, while utilising a new hybrid powertrain system, which teams a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor to produce a combined 247bhp and 565Nm of torque.
The SUV shares its name with Renault’s record-breaking Filante electric concept, which managed to travel 626 miles in 10 hours, while averaging 7.9 miles per kilowatt at an average speed of 68mph.
The markets
The FTSE 100 fell yesterday in a mixed day for European markets.
The British stock index dropped 3.35 points (0.033%) to close the day at 10,137.35.
Meanwhile, the French Cac also fell 11.56 points to 8,347.20, while the German Dax grew 15.32 points to 25,420.66.
Tuesday on Car Dealer
How dealers can fix lead handling and improve conversion – Impel at Car Dealer Live 2026
Car Dealer Live 2026 will help dealers improve lead handling and customer journeys, with exclusive research from Impel. The March 19 Gaydon event features expert speakers, panels, AI insight and practical data-driven advice to boost dealer performance nationwide for retailers.
Vertu employees face uncertain future as dealer group enters talks to axe trio of car dealerships
Vertu has begun consultations over closing three south west dealerships after reviewing financial viability. The proposed February shutdowns affect Peugeot sites in Launceston and Barnstaple and a Barnstaple Volvo, potentially forcing customers to travel significantly further for franchised servicing support.
Lexus named Carwow’s most profitable used car brand as SUVs dominate money makers
Carwow data shows Lexus was the most profitable used brand in late 2025, offering dealers £3,490 average margin. Land Rover and Audi followed. SUVs dominated top models, led by Audi Q5, while EVs reappeared among highest-profit cars during the quarter.
European Union sets out framework for Chinese EVs to avoid punitive tariffs
EU guidance offers Chinese EV makers a way to avoid tariffs up to 35.3% by agreeing minimum prices. Deals would be model-specific, restrict discounting, and consider EU manufacturing investment, aiming to ease trade tensions while protecting Europe’s car industry interests.
Rogue roofer who killed woman on golf course during police pursuit is jailed
A rogue roofer who ran over a mother-of-three on a golf course during a police chase has been jailed for 13-and-a-half years for killing her.
John McDonald, 52, admitted causing the death by dangerous driving of 62-year-old Suzanne Cherry, who was ploughed into by a van that was being followed by police at Aston Wood Golf Club in Shenstone, Staffordshire, where she was playing golf with her husband, Clint Harrison, on April 11 last year.
Worcester Crown Court heard 62-year-old Ms Cherry had been looking for her ball near a stream when McDonald hit her, causing her multiple catastrophic injuries that she died from in hospital on April 15, the day before her 63rd birthday.
Creating non-consensual sexual images to become illegal amid Grok AI backlash
Generating sexual images without consent is set to become illegal as the Government ramps up its response to AI chatbot Grok.
It comes as watchdog Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether social media platform X has breached UK law over reports that Grok had been used to create ‘undressed images’.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the criminal offence would be brought into force this week under the Data (Use and Access) Act passed by Parliament last year.
Weather outlook…
The UK will today remain cold and unsettled as lingering winter weather continues in many regions.
In the south and southeast, expect grey skies with rain and sleet at times, feeling raw and chilly. Across the Midlands, conditions will be cold with frequent showers and possible icy patches on roads and pavements.
In northern England and Scotland, rain will mix with sleet or snow, with winds fresh and temperatures around freezing in places, making travel tricky and conditions wintry overall.
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