7:00 am, July 27, 2026
FCA launches campaign advising not to pay for motor finance compensation
Motor finance customers who may be owed compensation are being reminded by the City regulator that they do not need to use a claims management firm to make a complaint.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a £2 million advertising campaign to help people concerned about their car finance feel confident about formally complaining.
The campaign is running across TV, radio, print, billboards and social media, directing people to a free template complaint letter on the FCA’s website.
A survey commissioned by the FCA found that 27% of car finance customers lack confidence to make a complaint without using a claims management company (CMC) or law firm, despite free tools from the regulator being available.
Bank of England expected to hold interest rates
The Bank of England is expected to hold interest rates again next week despite fresh uncertainty in the Middle East.
Economists have said they still expect a majority of the Bank’s rate-setting committee to opt to keep the base interest rate at 3.75% despite attacks in the region and US threats reigniting some concerns over inflation.
A number of economists, including experts at Oxford Economics and Nomura, have predicted another seven-to-two vote in favour of holding the current rate.
The latest meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Thursday July 30, which will also see it unveil fresh economic forecasts, come amid a backdrop of easing inflation in recent months.
Andy Burnham warns NHS will ‘collapse’ unless social care is reformed
The NHS will ‘collapse’ unless action is taken to fix the social care system across England, Andy Burnham has said.
But the prime minister would not put a timeline on introducing care reforms, in his first major interview since he walked into No 10.
Burnham ruled out an early general election, and said Britain had to be ‘really serious as a country’ in reducing the welfare bill.
The markets
Stock prices in London rallied into the close on Friday after a report that peace talks could resume between the US and Iran.
The news, which broke as the London market was closing for the week, added to a generally brighter mood after positive domestic economic data.
The FTSE 100 index closed up 97.06 points, 0.9%, at 10,736.23. The FTSE 250 ended up 174.16 points, 0.7%, at 23,801.49, and the AIM all-share closed up 4.22 points, 0.6%, at 772.98.
For the week, the FTSE 100 rose 1.3%, the FTSE 250 climbed 0.8%, and the AIM all-share advanced 1.6%.
Study shows how much home buyers could save in different postcodes
Location may be firmly at the top of many home buyers’ minds – but those searching for a property could potentially save significant sums by looking next door to pricey postcodes – according to a major bank.
Lloyds compared higher value postcodes in different parts of the UK with what it found to be the least costly neighbouring postcodes sitting next to them.
According to Lloyds’ analysis, homes in these neighbouring areas cost 28% less on average, but in many places the gap is significantly wider.
Friday on Car Dealer
Chinese brands strengthen grip on buyers as MG is most in-demand new car on Autotrader
Chinese brands continue to gain traction with new car buyers as five models made Autotrader’s July top 10 most-enquired list, although established manufacturers still dominate overall demand for electric vehicles ahead of September’s plate change.
Family-owned dealer group opens Chery showroom in Cheltenham after Omoda and Jaecoo success
Family-owned dealer group Warners has expanded its partnership with Chery by opening a new showroom in Cheltenham, following the strong performance of its Omoda and Jaecoo dealership in Gloucester.
Volkswagen cuts 2026 revenue forecast as tariffs and China competition hit profits
Volkswagen has cut its 2026 revenue forecast after second-quarter profits fell 9.5 per cent, with the carmaker blaming US tariffs and intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers as it presses ahead with a major restructuring programme.
Vertu named UK’s top-ranked automotive retailer in apprenticeship league table
Vertu Motors has been named the highest-ranked automotive retail group in the UK Government’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2026 list, recognising its commitment to training after supporting 285 apprentices across the business.
Aston Martin secures £550m financing package after difficult year
Aston Martin has secured a £550m financing package to strengthen its balance sheet and fund future product development following a difficult year that saw rising losses and 600 job cuts.
Get on the (electric) bus or become a relic, warns Labour MP as he doubles down on 2030 petrol and diesel ban
Labour MP Perran Moon has defended the government’s 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, insisting manufacturers must embrace electrification rather than expect further support, as he warned firms to “get on the (electric) bus or become a relic” amid continued debate over the ZEV Mandate.
JCB Group expands its Kent Volkswagen network with Canterbury acquisition
JCB Group has expanded its Volkswagen network in Kent by acquiring Euro Canterbury Volkswagen’s passenger car, commercial vehicle repair and TPS operations, taking its total to five Volkswagen dealerships in the county.
Weather
Temperatures are set to rise this week, with southern parts of the UK expected to turn hot while northern areas remain cooler and more unsettled.
Dry, sunny weather will dominate across the south over the coming days, while rain, heavy showers and the chance of thunderstorms are forecast further north, particularly across Scotland.
The warm spell is expected to peak on Wednesday before cooler conditions gradually spread across the country towards the weekend.