6:33 am, July 24, 2026
Consumer confidence sees six-point ‘Burnham bounce’
Consumer confidence has seen a significant six-point ‘Burnham bounce’ – the largest increase since November 2023.
GfK said the heatwaves, football success and a new prime minister appeared to have ‘lifted the mood’, albeit the headline figure remaining firmly in negative territory at minus 17.
Confidence in the country’s general economic situation over the last 12 months jumped by 10 points to minus 39 – five points higher than a year ago – while expectations for the economy over the coming 12 months rose by eight points to minus 28 – one point above last July.
EU fines Google £759m for breaching competition laws on search and app store
Google has been fined 890 million euros (£759m) by the EU for breaching its laws including by giving more prominence to its own services such as shopping, hotels and sports scores in search results.
The European Commission, which is the EU’s executive arm and enforces competition rules, handed out two separate fines worth 460 million euros (£392m) and 430 million euros (£367m).
It said it found two cases of non-compliance, one for self-preferencing on Google Search, and another for preventing the steering of customers towards potentially cheaper services on Google Play. Google breached the Digital Markets Act by giving preferential treatment to its own services, including shopping, hotels, sports results and transport, over those of other firms in Google Search, according to the commission.
Omoda’s 9 gains new Black Noble specification alongside broader updates
Omoda has upgraded its flagship 9 SUV while introducing a new Black Noble specification.
The 9 was only launched last year, but Omoda has already brought several advancements to the luxury SUV. Key changes include a new suede headliner, massage functionality for the front seats, and further electric adjustment for both driver and passenger seats. Omoda has also tweaked the 9’s suspension and steering, with a revised intelligent damping system allowing the car to continuously adjust its ride depending on the road conditions and driver inputs.
A new Black Noble grade has also been introduced alongside these revisions. Priced at £46,495, the new trim adds a full black exterior finish, with chrome detailing replaced by darker elements. Matte black roof rails, black front and rear bumper trims and black suede interior upholstery help to give the 9 a stealthy appearance, and the effect is finished off with black alloy wheels.
The markets
Stock prices in London closed lower on Thursday, as the price of oil surged as the conflict in the Middle East widened and unnerved investors, after Yemen’s Houthis attacked two Saudi tankers.
The FTSE 100 index closed down 77.80 points, 0.7%, at 10,639.17. The FTSE 250 ended down 299.30 points, 1.3%, at 23,627.33, and the AIM all-share closed down 6.32 points, 0.8%, at 768.76.
The pound was lower at 1.3303 dollars on Thursday afternoon from 1.3377 dollars at the equities close on Wednesday. Against the euro, sterling was lower at 1.1696 euros from 1.1717 euros a day prior.
Burnham defends limiting business rate cuts, saying pubs are ‘our heritage’
Prime minister Andy Burnham has defended limiting cuts to business rates to certain hospitality venues, saying pubs ‘need to know that the cavalry is coming’.
He said the 20% being knocked off rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England from April next year was a ‘first step’ to help businesses.
Gambling arcades as well as vape shops will see their business rate relief slashed to raise the £100m a year to fund the move.
Thursday on Car Dealer
Motorcycle dealer Superbike Factory calls in administrators after £18.3m loss
Used motorcycle retailer Superbike Factory has entered administration amid ongoing financial difficulties, raising questions over the future of one of the country’s largest independent used-bike dealership groups.
Funder behind car finance legal claims collapses following FCA redress scheme delays
Litigation funder Woodville Consultants has entered administration, casting uncertainty over one of the businesses that helped pay for the wave of motor finance compensation claims in the wake of the mis-sold commission scandal.
Snows Motor Group backs Portsmouth hospital charity Colour Dash as event raises £16,000
Snows Motor Group has helped raise more than £16,000 for Portsmouth area hospitals after sponsoring this year’s Queen Alexandra Colour Dash.
Arnold Clark expands Geely presence into Scotland with two new dealerships
Arnold Clark has opened its first Geely dealerships in Scotland as the Chinese brand continues to expand its UK retail network.
Electric cars lead UK’s fastest-selling used car rankings in July
All of July’s fastest-selling used cars were electrified, latest data from Autotrader reveals.
Range Rover brand gets fifth model – an all-electric svelte GT fastback
JLR is to add a fifth model to its Range Rover line-up in the shape of a svelte SUV grand tourer.
Weather
Sunny spells will dominate for many today, although south-east England will see more cloud at times, reports BBC Weather. Western Scotland turns cloudier and breezier with afternoon and evening rain.
Tonight, Scotland becomes windy with heavy showers in the north and west, while England and Wales stay largely dry, clear and settled.