UK economy unexpectedly grows 0.1% in August

The UK economy reported surprise growth in August on the back of strong factory production, according to official figures, a boost to the Chancellor ahead of the autumn Budget.

Nevertheless, it represented a slowdown after stronger activity earlier in the summer.

The Office for National Statistics reported that gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.1% in August, following 0.4% growth in July.

Travis Perkins reveals sales drop amid ‘persisting’ economic uncertainty

Building materials provider Travis Perkins has revealed sliding sales as it warned of ‘persisting’ economic uncertainty.

In its latest trading update, the firm said its like-for-like revenue fell by 1.3% in the three months to September 30.

In the year to the end September, the group’s like-for-like revenue dropped 0.9%.

Mazda expands CX-30 line-up with new specifications

Mazda has increased the range of specifications available with its CX-30 crossover.

Launched in 2019, the CX-30 has proven to be a popular model within the brand’s line-up, with UK sales passing 49,419 already.

Set to arrive later this year, the updated CX-30 gains an expanded range of specifications – rising from 17 to 21 – as a new Homura Plus grade joins the existing Prime-Line, Centre-Line, Homura, Exclusive-Line and Takumi grades.

The markets

The FTSE 100 outperformed global peers on Thursday, encouraged by domestic economic data and lower bond yields, benefiting from a lower exposure to technology stocks, which continued to be volatile.

In London, the FTSE 100 index ended up 115.49 points, 1.1%, at 10,840.35. The FTSE 250 climbed 64.00 points, 0.3%, to 24,424.77, but the AIM all-share fell 2.82 points, 0.4%, to 765.09.

In European equity markets on Thursday, the CAC 40 in Paris ended up 0.8%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt added 0.3%.

Thursday on Car Dealer

From Aldi buns to Audi A1s: Behind the scenes at Hilton Garage’s new £3m handover centre

Hilton Garage has transformed a former Aldi into a £3m handover centre as the family-run dealer targets 14,000 sales this year, embraces AI across its operations and reports turnover rising to £175.14m.

Revealed: The 10 used cars that have seen the biggest asking price drops in 2026

Dick Lovett commissions five one-off Ferraris to celebrate 60 years in business

Dick Lovett has commissioned five unique Ferraris to mark its 60th anniversary, with bespoke designs inspired by a rare 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale and created with Ferrari’s Italian Atelier.

Chery to launch another UK car brand as iCAUR confirms 2027 arrival

Chery will launch its iCAUR brand in the UK in early 2027, led by the V27 electrified SUV. The move further expands the Chinese manufacturer’s growing British presence alongside Omoda and Jaecoo.

Police recover £2.6m of stolen cars and shut down eight chop shops

Police recovered 319 stolen vehicles worth £2.6m and made 286 arrests during a nationwide crackdown on organised car crime, dismantling eight chop shops and disrupting 20 criminal gangs across 32 police force areas.

Family-run business falls into administration as jobs and showrooms face uncertainty

Scottish used car dealer Cars4You has collapsed into administration after cash flow problems, closing its dealerships and making all 26 employees redundant. Administrators will sell remaining vehicle stock and investigate the failure.

Police feared Andrew would block searches by demanding King’s permission

Police were concerned Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could block searches at his properties by claiming officers must obtain permission from the King, legal documents have shown.

Thames Valley Police has acknowledged the search warrants used to raid Andrew’s residence on the Sandringham Estate and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge, in February were unlawful.

Andrew had challenged the warrants, and now documents from the ensuing High Court proceedings revealed the force feared evidence could be lost if they had to seek permission from Buckingham Palace first to search the premises.

Russell Brand ‘turned monster-like during hotel room rape’

Russell Brand turned into a ‘monster’ when he stripped naked and raped a woman in a hotel room at the Labour Party conference, a court has heard.

Brand, now 51, denies forcing himself on the woman after meeting her at a cabaret show at the 1999 political event in Bournemouth.

She broke down in tears in the witness box at Southwark Crown Court as she recalled feeling ‘shame’ and being ‘dirty’ in the aftermath of the encounter.

Weather outlook…

Scotland and Northern Ireland will be chilly, with scattered morning showers giving way to brighter spells.

Northern England, Wales and the Midlands can expect a mix of sunshine and showers, with temperatures around 10–12°C.

Southern England should turn mostly dry and sunny later, though it will feel noticeably cooler.