6:34 am, September 21, 2026
Business must be ‘at heart’ of Burnham’s devolution plans, warns BCC
Businesses must be’at the heart’ of the prime minister’s plans for devolution in next month’s Budget, the British Chambers of Commerce has urged.
The influential business group said firms are vital to ‘deliver growth, investment and higher living standards’ across the UK. Shevaun Haviland, director general of the group, said: ‘Business want and need devolution to be a powerful engine for local and nationwide growth.’
Earlier this month, chancellor John Healey reiterated the government’s commitment to transferring power out of Whitehall, saying he would set out a ‘road map to fiscal devolution’ at the Budget.
Badenoch pledges to bring back tax-free shopping for tourists
Kemi Badenoch has pledged to bring back tax-free shopping for tourists by reversing a post-Brexit rule change.
The decision to scrap the VAT refund scheme for international visitors in 2021 left the UK ‘less competitive’ than many other European destinations as the country left the EU, the Tories said.
The opposition leader, who was a Treasury minister at the time of its abolition, said retailers were being “’let down by a policy that is driving their customers away’.
Vauxhall draws inspiration from performance models with new GSE Line trim
Vauxhall will look to infuse some of its regular models with a sporting edge through a new GSE Line specification.
Set to debut to the public at the Paris Motor Show in October, GSE Line will be available on electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid and petrol-powered models. It’ll bring a high level of standard equipment with visual changes such as grille designs specific, as well as ‘GSE Line’ lettering on the front bumper.
Inside, the Astra GSE Line gets the same bright yellow stitching as the full GSE models, applied in areas such as the seats, steering wheel and door inserts. The aluminium pedals of the GSE Line add an even sportier touch. Sports seats with integrated headrests are also going to be available as an option.
The markets
The FTSE 100 fell heavily on Friday as bond yields pushed higher amid fears that higher inflation will keep interest rates elevated.
In London, the FTSE 100 index ended down 157.01 points, 1.5%, at 10,659.13. The FTSE 250 fell 146.72 points, 0.6%, to 24,205.42, but the AIM all-share climbed 3.46 points, 0.4%, to 796.09.
The pound was quoted at 1.3372 dollars on Friday, up from 1.3356 dollars at the same time on Thursday. Against the euro, sterling firmed to 1.1661 euro from 1.1627.
All women in society are unsafe, minister says as Piddington locals raise fears
Bridget Phillipson has said ‘all of us as women in society are unsafe’ after female villagers raised fears about living near proposed housing for more than 1,000 asylum seekers.
Plans to accommodate 1,256 males at a former military site near Piddington sparked anger and drove residents to vote to leave the UK in a symbolic independence ‘referendum’ on Wednesday.
A group of 133 women living there sent an open letter to every female MP the following day, saying ‘as fellow women, you will understand the serious risks this will expose us to’ and ‘we will not feel safe walking our streets. We are already living in fear’.
Andy Burnham congratulates Donald Trump and Mette Frederiksen on Greenland deal
Andy Burnham has congratulated Denmark and the US on a deal to ‘strengthen security in the Arctic’ after the two countries resolved a months-long diplomatic standoff over Greenland.
The prime minister and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen ‘welcomed the US’ commitment to the region’ in a call on Sunday morning, Downing Street said.
It comes as Burnham prepares to meet Donald Trump in person for the first time at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, marking one of the most significant diplomatic moments since he entered No 10 in July.
Latest on Car Dealer
Electric Van Man officially launches as UK’s first dedicated used electric van dealer
The UK’s first specialist used electric van dealership has officially launched in Bedfordshire.
Family-run car dealership to close for good after owners fail to find new buyer to save site
A family-run car dealership in Morecambe is to close its doors for good after its owners failed to find a new buyer for the site.
Dealer group Arnold Clark to offer free health screenings to thousands of employees
Thousands of employees at Arnold Clark are set to be offered free health screenings after the dealer group signed a new partnership with a medical diagnostics company.
Weather
Northern areas will start cloudy with rain clearing north-eastwards before some afternoon sunshine develops, reports BBC Weather. Southern areas will remain mostly dry with sunny spells and variable cloud.
Tonight, patchy cloud and isolated showers affect the north and west, while the south-east stays clearer. Fog patches develop before rain reaches the north-west.