6:17 am, July 13, 2026
UK economy set to have stayed in slow lane after Iran war held back growth
The UK’s economy is expected to have been stagnant for another month as some industries come under pressure and the Iran war continues to hold back growth.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) will publish May’s gross domestic product (GDP) figures on Thursday following a period of global turbulence during the US-Israel’s war with Iran.
Some economists are expecting GDP to have flatlined or declined in May, after slipping by 0.1% in April.
Ocado investors hoping for positive signs amid reported leadership clash
Ocado investors will be hoping the retail technology giant can point towards a positive outlook for the coming years amid reported unrest amongst its leadership.
The company has seen its share value drop by around a quarter over the past year amid pressure from the closure of some of its robotic warehouses and testing consumer conditions.
On Thursday, the group will unveil its latest half-year results as it seeks to maintain recent growth. However, the update comes against the backdrop of reported boardroom unrest between its two most senior executives.
BYD’s Dolphin G hits the road in the UK priced from £23,990
BYD has confirmed that its new Dolphin G will start from £23,990.
Arriving as one of the Chinese brand’s most compact models, the Dolphin G gets a hybrid powertrain which uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine to effectively act as a generator for the electric motors.
Entry-level Active-grade cars – priced from £23,990 – have a 7.4kWh battery for an electric-only range of up to 25 miles, while Boost and Comfort cars – priced from £26,990 and £28,490 respectively – have a larger 18.3kWh battery for a claimed electric-only range of up to 65. BYD says that on big-battery cars, the combination of petrol and electric will bring a range of up to 646 miles.
The markets
The FTSE 100 closed higher on Friday in calmer trading, boosted by double-digit gains from telecommunications firm Vodafone.
The FTSE 100 closed up 24.84 points, 0.2%, at 10,497.29. The FTSE 250 ended up 130.85 points, 0.6%, at 23,371.41, and the AIM All-Share rose 1.57 points, 0.2%, to 763.82.
The pound traded at 1.3419 dollars on Friday afternoon, up from 1.3397 dollars on Thursday. Against the euro, sterling firmed to 1.1737 euro from 1.1717 euro on Thursday.
Keir Starmer enters final week as PM with diplomatic blitz in Paris
Sir Keir Starmer will begin what is expected to be his final week as prime minister with a diplomatic blitz as his expected successor Andy Burnham waits to take over.
Burnham, the only candidate in Labour’s leadership process, is expected to officially succeed Sir Keir on Monday July 20.
Sir Keir will travel to Paris on Monday where he will join allies of Ukraine for a meeting of the ‘coalition of the willing’. He is also expected to join Bastille Day events on Tuesday.
Man ‘with stick left house linked to Widdecombe murder suspect and drove away’
A man put a ‘wooden stick’ in a car outside an address linked to the Ann Widdecombe murder suspect before driving off on the morning she is believed to have been attacked, it has been reported.
Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and ex-Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at about 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.
On Sunday, there was a substantial police presence at a house in Byrley Road in the Kimberworth Park area of Rotherham – more than 200 miles from the former minister’s home in Devon. It comes after Devon and Cornwall Police said a 28-year-old white British man had been arrested on suspicion of murder in the South Yorkshire town on Saturday evening.
Latest on Car Dealer
Volkswagen to cut models by up to 50% and reduce ‘complexity’
Volkswagen will be drastically cutting its model line-up and capacity as it looks to improve profitability at the company.
Family-run car dealership goes up for auction as curtain could come down on 60 years of history
A family-run used car dealership is set to go under the hammer in a move which could bring the curtain down on 60 years of business.
Mini ‘absolutely committed’ to UK and Oxford factory, says global boss
Mini is staying ‘absolutely committed to the UK’ and its Oxford production base.
Used car values jump 4% in June as EVs continue to outperform market
Used car values strengthened in June, with average prices at auction house BCA rising by 4% month-on-month.
Ben strengthens leadership team as automotive industry charity makes two senior appointments
Automotive charity Ben has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of two new directors.
Denza electric supercar set to become UK’s most expensive Chinese car
Denza has pulled the wraps off its new Z electric supercar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed – and the flagship model is set to become the most expensive Chinese car on sale in the UK.
Picking the Cherries: Chery aims to grow brand awareness with AFC Bournemouth sponsorship
Chery has come together with The Cherries after agreeing a deal to become the official automotive partner of AFC Bournemouth.
Weather
Today will be sunny for most, although eastern areas may start with cloud and local fog in east Scotland, reports BBC Weather. A few showers could reach the far south by evening.
Tonight, eastern areas turn cloudier, while the west stays largely clear. Isolated showers may brush the south-west, with breezy conditions in the south.
