6:20 am, July 6, 2026
Burnham’s business rates plan to boost high street ‘could cost around £880m’
Andy Burnham’s plans to overhaul business rates to support small high street firms could cost around £880 million a year, according to fresh analysis.
The frontrunner to become prime minister this summer has indicated that he plans to cover the cost through higher property taxes for large warehouses, particularly targeting online giants such as Amazon.
Burnham said on LBC earlier this week that there is ‘room for movement on tax’ within Labour’s manifesto whilst maintaining his commitment to the party’s fiscal rules, stressing his ambition to support the high street.
Jet2 investors hope for holiday bookings boost since US-Iran peace deal
Investors in one of the UK’s biggest package holiday firms will be hoping to hear whether US-Iran peace talks have helped buoy demand for travel and settle jet fuel supplies as summer bookings commence.
Jet2 will unveil its full-year financial results on Wednesday after a period of disruption for the travel industry.
The airline and package holiday provider told investors that it was expecting to report an operating profit of between £435m and £440m for the year to the end of March. Bookings for the summer were up in April, compared with the previous year, for both package holidays and flights, raising hopes among investors of a strong season ahead.
Leapmotor’s B05 goes on sale priced from £28,995
The new Leapmotor B05 has gone on sale with a starting price of £28,995 inclusive of the brand’s £1,500 ‘Leap Grant’.
The electric hatchback, which rivals cars like the Volkswagen ID.3 and MG4, arrives with a 300-mile range and the ability to be charged from 10 to 80% in under 30 minutes thanks to rapid charging capabilities.
Available to order now, the new B03 gets a high level of standard equipment with features such as 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof and air conditioning as standard. All cars also get a 14.6-inch infotainment system and an 8.8-inch driver’s display, while 21 driver assistance systems are equipped on all cars as standard too.
The markets
The FTSE 100 closed a winning week on the front foot, while the DAX 40 hit a new best level, as fears of a US rate increase faded.
The FTSE 100 closed up 26.16 points, 0.3%, at 10,679.03. The FTSE 250 ended up 121.22 points, 0.5%, at 23,538.80, and the AIM All-Share fell 1.36 points, 0.2%, at 776.09.
The pound traded at 1.3351 dollars on Friday afternoon, down from 1.3367 dollars on Thursday. Against the euro, sterling ebbed to 1.1672 euros from 1.1681 euros on Thursday.
Defence secretary visits Iceland amid ‘increasing Russian threats’
The defence secretary has visited Iceland amid ‘increasing Russian threats’ as Nato conducted air defence operations from a European aircraft carrier for the first time.
Dan Jarvis visited UK forces onboard the Royal Navy’s flagship HMS Prince of Wales, which is deployed off Iceland under Nato command, with F-35 jets conducting Nato air defence operations from the deck for the first time.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the visit comes as ‘elite British troops are taking command of the Alliance’s high readiness special operations force for the first time’ to ‘help protect Nato allies against increasing Russian threats’.
Farage hits out at ‘establishment’ as questions mount over ally’s financial help
Nigel Farage claimed he is the victim of an ‘establishment hit job’ as he faced calls for an investigation into financial support given to him by a convicted criminal.
The Reform UK leader insisted he had committed ‘no wrongdoing’ and had followed the rules as he came under intense scrutiny over the support given to him by long-term associate George Cottrell.
Cottrell provided funding for the Reform UK leader’s operation, including staffing, security and the use of a London townhouse, according to The Sunday Times.
Latest on Car Dealer
Used car supermarket group Fords of Winsford enjoys record sales in stellar start to 2026
Used car supermarket group Fords of Winsford (FOW) has announced record sales for the first half of 2026.
Stratstone JLR service centre destroyed as huge fire rips through London building
A Stratstone JLR service centre has been destroyed in a dramatic fire which ripped through the building last night.
Fiat Topolino goes on sale at ‘selected retailers’ across UK as rival to Citroen Ami
Fiat’s Citroen Ami rival – the Topolino – has gone on sale in the UK with prices starting at £8,995.
Back of the net: Cazoo extends Brentford FC sponsorship for another season
Cazoo has extended its sponsorship of Brentford FC for another 12 months, ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.
Weather
Cloud and rain will affect northern parts today, with persistent outbreaks in north and west Scotland, reports BBC Weather. Elsewhere, sunshine and variable cloud will bring very warm conditions, though low cloud may linger along western coasts. Highs of 31 in the London area.
Tonight stays unsettled in the north with further rain, while southern areas remain largely dry with clear spells.
