6:47 am, October 2, 2026
Chancellor summons UK bank chiefs amid industry calls not to hike taxes
Chancellor John Healey has summoned the chiefs of the UK’s biggest banks for a meeting ahead of his autumn Budget statement, amid growing calls from the industry to avoid targeting lenders with a tax raid.
The meeting will take place in person next Tuesday, said Sky News. Reports said the chief executives of lenders including Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays, HSBC and NatWest Group have been asked to attend, along with invitations to the bosses of Santander UK and Nationwide Building Society.
The Treasury did not comment on the reports and has indicated that it does not comment on speculation or proposals surrounding the Budget.
Nearly 400 workers to lose jobs in proposed Grangemouth closure
Nearly 400 people are at risk of losing their jobs after a chemical manufacturer announced plans to cease all operations at its Grangemouth site.
The move comes just over a year after Syngenta, owned by state Chinese firm Sinochem, was given more than £2 million in Scottish Enterprise funding to expand its Scottish site.
The company said on Thursday that, while no final decision has been made, it had now entered in formal consultation with trade unions and employees at the site.
Mini goes dark with Countryman SE Midnight Edition
Mini has introduced a new, undercover version of its electric Countryman SE.
Called ‘Midnight Edition’, it brings a range of stealthy styling touches to the battery-powered SUV, including a Indigo Sunset Blue or Jet Black paintwork, alongside a midnight black roof and 18-inch alloy wheels finished in either black or silver. Upholstery is a combination of blue and black cloth upholstery, there’s a black headliner, heated seats and a head-up display.
Available to order now, the new Mini Countryman SE Midnight Edition starts from £41,645, inclusive of the government’s full £3,750 Electric Car Grant
The markets
Stock prices in London slumped on Thursday as bond yields stayed near multi-year highs in volatile trading.
In London, the FTSE 100 index ended down 177.73 points, or 1.7%, at 10,428.27. The FTSE 250 fell 396.78 points, 1.6%, to 24,143.21, and the AIM all-share slid 5.36 points, 0.7%, to 782.04.
The pound was quoted at 1.3204 dollars on Thursday, down from 1.3276 dollars at the same time on Wednesday. Against the euro, sterling firmed to 1.1739 euros from 1.1688 euros.
Sixth man arrested in connection with suspected RAF Fairford terror plot
A dual UK-Iranian national was being questioned by police on Thursday night after he became the sixth person arrested in connection with the suspected RAF Fairford terror plot.
The 25-year-old man was arrested in the borough of Westminster on Thursday on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said.
Officers have also searched two properties in the area as part of the investigation.
‘Thank-you Andy Burnham’: Prisoners praise PM as they are freed early from jail
Prisoners thanked prime minister Andy Burnham as they celebrated walking free from jail early.
The first wave of releases began on Thursday, with 700 criminals expected to be freed across the country.
One prisoner said to the press as he left HMP Durham in north east England: ‘Justice system, what justice system? Thank-you Andy Burnham.’
Thursday on Car Dealer
Carwow losses increase to nearly £24m as revenues surge past £100m for the first time
Carwow losses increased to nearly £24m in 2025 – up from £19.7m the year before – after a year of ‘investment in technology and product development’.
Cargiant reveals decision to shut up shop after car dealership fell to £4.1m loss
Used car supermarket Cargiant fell to a £4.1m pre tax loss in its last financial year before directors decided to call time on the once hugely profitable business.
Soaring fuel prices spark rush for used EVs – but dealers don’t want diesel part-exchanges
Soaring fuel prices are resulting in more motorists considering making the switch to electric cars – but specialist EV dealers say they are increasingly reluctant to take their diesels in part-exchange.
Franchised dealer group Waylands enjoys record-breaking 2025 as profits soar once again
Waylands has announced another year of rising profits for 2025.
Used car stock hits 2026 high as EV buyer interest continues to surge – Cazoo
Used car stock levels climbed to their highest point of 2026 in September as dealers increased inventories across all three retail sectors.
BMW 3 Series returns with Neue Klasse design, new tech and just petrol engines
At a quick glance it might look like the all-electric i3, but this is the new BMW 3 Series – and it comes a range of petrol engines.
Weather
Today will be breezy, with rain across northern and western areas moving southwards by evening, reports BBC Weather. Heavy showers will develop in the far north-west, while southern and south-eastern areas stay drier and sunnier.
Tonight, rain crosses central areas, with clearer spells elsewhere and blustery showers continuing in the far north-west.