6:36 am, October 1, 2026
Factory closure plan will ‘future proof’ Greggs, says boss as 740 jobs cut
The boss of Greggs has said a major overhaul of its food manufacturing operations, which will cut around 740 jobs, will help ‘future-proof’ the business.
The high street bakery has proposed to shut four factories and change operations at a number of other sites over the next two-and-a-half years.
But unions have warned that workers should not be ‘dropped like stones’ after helping support Greggs’ growth across the UK.
Energy price cap rise of 4% takes effect amid warnings of 16% New Year increase
A 4% hike to Ofgem’s energy price cap takes effect from Thursday amid warnings that household bills could soar by almost another £300 from January.
Campaigners have urged the Government to make plans now to support all households with energy costs this winter because of the severity of forecast bill hikes.
The stark warning comes as the latest 4% increase to the price cap coincided with experts at Cornwall Insight predicting that it will rise by a further 16% to £1,999 a year on January 1, up by £276 on the level between October and December and the biggest rise since January 2023.
Aston Martin DBX GT arrives to deliver top-level refinement
Aston Martin has released a new, more refined version of its DBX SUV – the GT.
Sitting alongside the more performance-focused DBX S, the new GT model has undergone a number of tweaks designed to make it more composed over long distances, such as more comfortable suspension and seating.
It’s still powered by the same 717bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 as the more-focused DBX S, though. Prices have yet to be revealed.
The markets
The FTSE 100 fell on Wednesday, on a mixed day for stocks in London, as investors weighed inflation data in Europe and the US, lower oil prices and strong domestic economic growth data.
In London, the FTSE 100 index ended down 30.71 points, 0.3%, at 10,606.00. The FTSE 250 rose 165.18 points, 0.7%, to 24,539.99, and the AIM all-share firmed 1.24 points, 0.2%, at 787.40.
The pound was quoted at 1.3276 dollars on Wednesday, up from 1.3210 dollars at the same time on Tuesday. Against the euro, sterling firmed to 1.1688 euro from 1.1656 euro.
‘Strong indications’ Iran played role in suspected Fairford terror plot, PM says
Andy Burnham has said there are ‘strong indications’ Iran played a part in a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford.
The UK is working closely with US and the authorities have the situation under ‘the strongest grip’, the prime minister insisted after Donald Trump criticised the decision to release the suspects.
Asked about the case in a series of broadcast interviews on Wednesday, Burnham said: ‘There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but it remains an ongoing, complex and serious police investigation.’
TV presenter and assisted dying campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen dies aged 86
Broadcaster and campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen has died aged 86.
The former presenter, known for hosting shows such as That’s Life!, established charities to help the young and old, and in recent years became a prominent voice in the attempt to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.
Dame Esther was ‘the most wonderful mother’, a ‘cherished grandmother’, and someone who will be remembered for ‘her endless capacity for joy’, her family said in a statement paying tribute.
Wednesday on Car Dealer
Searches for used diesel cars plummet as fuel price hits £2 per litre
Demand for used diesel cars have is plummeting rapidly as the price of the fuel rockets past £2 per litre across the country.
Podcast: Could aggressive new-car finance deals create a future used car headache for dealers?
Car Dealer Podcast team questions whether strong new-car offers are pulling buyers out of older used vehicles.
Close Brothers losses halve despite another £165m hit from car finance compensation scheme
Close Brothers has more than halved its annual losses despite taking another £164.7m hit from the proposed car finance compensation scheme.
Car salesman sentenced after pocketing cash from more than 100 used car sales
A car salesman who defrauded his employer by pocketing cash payments from used car sales involving more than 100 vehicles has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
New Vauxhall Griffin revealed with historic badge getting modern makeover
British brand Vauxhall has shown off a bold new look for its Griffin logo.
Unity Automotive appointed primary UK dealer for new Dodge Charger
Delaer group Unity Automotive has been appointed as a primary UK dealer for the new Dodge Charger, bringing the American muscle car to its Oxford dealership.
Range Rover Sport gets electric power for first time with 374-mile range
JLR has broadened its electric Range Rover line-up with launch of a new Sport model.
Weather
Sunny but breezy for many parts of the UK today, reports BBC Weather, although western areas will see patchy cloud and isolated showers. Highs of 21 degrees in eastern and central areas.
Tonight, showery rain will sweep into north-western England, west Wales, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland. Dry elsewhere.