6:50 am, January 23, 2026
Government borrowing falls sharply as national insurance hike boosts coffers
UK Government borrowing fell sharply to £11.6bn in December as a spike in tax receipts and national insurance more than outweighed an uptick in spending, official figures show.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said borrowing was £7.1bn, or 38%, less than the same month in 2024.
The December figure was £1.6bn lower than the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) had forecast, according to new estimates published on Thursday.
Wickes reveals stronger sales as prices fall
Home improvement firm Wickes has reported positive sales growth as its customers benefited from falling prices.
Wickes, which operates 230 stores, said it is on track to have met targets for the past financial year as a result.
It reported that group revenues grew by 6.3% to £788m in the second half of 2025, as like-for-like sales grew by 5.3%.
Bugatti celebrates iconic Veyron and its creator with F.K.P Hommage
The Bugatti Veyron and its chief engineer, Ferdinand Karl Piëch are being celebrated by a new model some 20 years after the original car’s release.
Bugatti is paying tribute to both the Veyron and Piëch with a new model which combines the looks of the original with the modern performance of the latest cars – the F.K.P Hommage.
Built upon the same platform as Bugatti’s Chiron hypercar, the F.K.P Hommage uses a quad-turbocharged with more than 1,600 horsepower. In the Chiron Super Sport, this engine helped the car to achieve a top speed of over 300mph.
European markets rally after Donald Trump cools tariff threats
A relief rally has washed over European stock markets after Donald Trump rowed back on his threat of additional tariffs on countries across the continent.
In the UK, the FTSE 100 was climbing by about 0.8% in early trading.
Other European indexes were making bigger gains, with Germany’s Dax and France’s Cac 40 both up about 1.2%.
Thursday on Car Dealer
Out now: Issue 215 features Car Dealer Live 2026, Ferrari Amalfi, and all the latest news
The Car Dealer Magazine is out and free to read, featuring Car Dealer Live 2026 details, Ferrari Amalfi first drive, industry news round-ups, James Baggott’s views, finance updates, podcasts, and long-term test cars. Read online or via the Issuu app.
New wave of automotive tax dodgers are named and shamed after racking up £446,000 bill
Automotive firms and individuals have been fined £254,000 after HMRC uncovered nearly £450,000 in unpaid taxes. The latest defaulters list names car dealers, repairers and traders penalised for deliberate defaults, with cases spanning sales, repairs and bodyshops across England nationwide.
New survey reveals that two-thirds of motorists now using AI in car buying journey
New research from Close Brothers shows 66% of UK motorists now use AI during car buying. Buyers rely on it for research, comparisons and pricing, but dealers still add value through expertise, reassurance and finance guidance AI cannot fully provide.
Staff at Omagh Nissan dealer carry out Christmas fundraiser in memory of much-loved colleague
The team at Pat Kirk Ltd in Omagh honored their late colleague Fay Pratt by raising £1,000 for Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke. Staff wore Christmas jumpers and donations were matched by management, turning their grief into a meaningful tribute to her memory.
PM says ‘hard yards’ of Greenland security ahead as he welcomes Trump shift
Sir Keir Starmer has said the ‘hard yards’ of bolstering Arctic security can begin as he welcomed Donald Trump dropping tariff threats against European nations opposed to his ambitions to annex Greenland.
The Prime Minister said the US president’s shift in position was a ‘good thing’ following weeks of pressure on the UK and allies which saw Europe and America teeter on the brink of a trade war.
Mr Trump rowed back on his threats on Wednesday evening after a meeting with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte to discuss his decision to impose new 10% tariffs as a result of opposition to his plans for the mineral-rich territory.
Mahmood set to slash number of forces in major police overhaul
The number of police forces in England and Wales is set to be cut drastically under major reforms expected to be announced by the Home Secretary next week.
Shabana Mahmood is poised to unveil the largest overhaul of policing in decades on Monday, in an effort to tackle what Government sources called ‘an epidemic of everyday offences’.
The changes will see the overall number of forces slashed from their current level of 43, and tasked with focusing on serious and organised crime along with complex investigations such as homicides.
Weather outlook…
Much of the UK will remain wet and windy today as a slow-moving low pressure system continues to dominate.
In the south and southwest, rain and gusty breezes will persist through the day, making it feel mild but soggy. The Midlands will be overcast with patchy rain and cool blustery conditions. Northern England and Scotland will see heavier, persistent rain, especially across eastern and high ground areas, with strong southeasterly winds and a risk of local flooding.
Overall, it’ll be a damp, unsettled winter day with grey skies and breezy weather across the country.
