6:42 am, September 15, 2026
Government to take over Speciality Steel UK in move set to cost £350m
The government is planning to take over Speciality Steel UK in a move set to cost around £350m, after a private sector bid failed to secure its backing.
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the government would work towards the ‘public acquisition’ of the UK’s third-largest steelworks.
Reynolds said a bidder had come forward to take over SSUK earlier this year, reported to be Norwegian firm Blastr Green Steel, but the government could not support it and was instead developing its own proposal.
More than a third of small UK firms impacted by hacks – report
Nearly two in five small British businesses were hit by a cyber attack in the past year at a cost of nearly £27,000 each, according to new research.
The latest annual Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report shows 38% of small firms in the UK say they suffered a successful hack within the last 12 months.
The report – based on results of a global survey of nearly 7,000 cybersecurity decision-makers in smaller firms, including 1,000 in the UK – found British firms were the most vulnerable among their global counterparts, with 29% worldwide saying they were hit by a successful cyber attack.
Volkswagen’s electric concept reaches new efficiency record
A Volkswagen concept has hit a new record for electric vehicle efficiency.
The ‘Mission Efficiency’ covered 794 miles from Wolfsburg to Vienna and, during the journey, reached an efficiency rating of 8.27mpkWh and as high as 9.02mpkWh when removing the energy lost when charging. It was also only charged once.
Underneath, the Mission Efficiency uses the same MEB+ platform as found on the new Volkswagen ID.Polo, Skoda Epiq and Cupra Raval. The Polo, however, achieves a claimed efficiency of 5.4mpkWh.
Reform UK’s £72m crypto tycoon donors could face ‘enhanced residency checks’
Reform UK’s crypto-billionaire donors could face enhanced checks to prove their ongoing presence in the UK as the government considers tightening proposed laws after the party received £72m over the weekend.
Ministers have already moved to introduce a £100,000 cap on the amount of money that can be given to political parties by British citizens based overseas, which would also apply for the first 12 months after any expats return to the UK.
The changes would be backdated to this March, raising questions about whether Reform can keep the twin £36m donations from Ben Delo, who was based in Hong Kong, and Christopher Harborne, who was based in Thailand. But amid reports both men have already returned to the country, ministers are looking at how to toughen residency requirements governing political donations.
Andy Burnham cancels engagements following death of his father
Prime minister Andy Burnham has cancelled engagements today and tomorrow following the death of his father Roy, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Burnham has spoken about his father’s illness, which meant that he did not know his son had become prime minister.
The experience is one of the driving factors in the prime minister’s aim to reform the social care system.
Monday on Car Dealer
Video: We spend the day inside a brand new Chinese car dealership
The battle for new car buyers is getting fiercer than ever with yet more Chinese car dealerships popping up across the UK – but what’s it like working in one?
Welcome to Profit Clinic Week: Top advice on how to improve your bottom line
Car Dealer has spoken to four industry experts about buying better, maximising every transaction, protecting margin and making more of the customers dealers have already paid to find.
How can used car dealers make more money? Listen to our special Profit Clinic Podcast now
The latest episode has been produced as part of Car Dealer Magazine’s Profit Clinic Week, which is examining ways dealers can maximise profitability at a time when margins remain under pressure.
EV specialist reveals ‘naughty list’ of used electric models dealers should AVOID
Drive Green founder Richard Norris joins us on the Car Dealer Podcast.
MG5 named UK’s fastest-selling used car as EVs dominate August rankings
The MG5 was the fastest-selling used car in the UK last month, with examples taking an average of just 20.6 days to find a buyer.
Autotrader to overhaul Price Indicator with new dealer commentary and selling points
Autotrader is overhauling its Price Indicator tool to give dealers more control over how they explain the value behind their used cars.
Dodgy Lookers accountant jailed for fresh fraud nine years on from Evans Halshaw scam
A former car dealer accountant who previously served time behind bars for stealing £2.5m from Evans Halshaw has been jailed again after defrauding Lookers out of more than £188,000.
Family-run Vospers posts pre-tax loss for second year running after ‘challenging’ period
Family-run car dealer Vospers has announced a pre-tax loss for 2025, with bosses admitting the firm has gone through ‘another challenging year’.
Weather
Patchy rain for southern areas this morning, reports BBC Weather, but turning drier later. The north and west will see a mixture of sunny spells and showers; these will be heaviest in Scotland.
Tonight, variable cloud and showers for the north and west. Drier for the south and east. A cooler night.