Starmer to improve on the cost of living
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to provide information on the cost of living amid concerns about the number of energy bills that could rise as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
The prime minister is due to address a press conference later on Wednesday morning after vowing to “protect the British people at home and abroad”.
Sir Keir’s Downing Street press conference is expected to address the conflict and government support for families as prices rise.
Temporary energy price drop
Home energy prices are down 7% from Wednesday ‘in the interim’ for households already bracing for an 18% rise from July.
Ofgem’s price has fallen from £1,758 to £1,641 – a reduction of £117 or £10 a month for the average household using electricity and gas.
This is an 11% fall year-on-year, but is still £600 more than the debts that existed in the winter of 2020 to 2021.
Volkswagen Caddy model updates
The Volkswagen Caddy range has received several updates to keep the popular commercial vehicle looking fresh.
The Caddy is Volkswagen’s smallest van and a competitor to the Ford Transit Courier and Toyota Proace City.
For 2026, the Caddy gets updated exterior bumpers, new paint color options and a choice of updated 16-inch and 18-inch wheel designs.
Changes have also been made to the van’s cabin, with a new, larger, non-centre-mounted display. However, Volkswagen will reveal more details about the interior specifications later this year.
The FTSE 100 advanced strongly to start the week on Tuesday amid reports that Donald Trump is leading negotiations efforts on a military escalation in Iran.
The index closed up 48.49 points, 0.5%, at 10,176.45, the FTSE 250 ended up 249.21 points, 1.2%, at 21,203.71, and the AIM All-Share advanced 7.00 points, 1.0%, at 717.12.
The Wall Street Journal quoted US administration officials as saying that the president and his aides have concluded that the mission to open the Strait of Hormuz will increase the duration of the war beyond his four to six week schedule.
Shares of auto lenders are rising
Shares in major car finance lenders rose after the UK sector completed its bailout plan, which saw the industry’s bill cut by $2 billion.
Lloyds Banking Group and Close Brothers were among the lenders to say they were reviewing details of the scheme after several changes were announced.
But investors appeared to be encouraged by the final rules, with Lloyds and Barclays shares up more than 1% and Close Brothers up around 2.5% on Tuesday.
Renault UK’s boss says dealers remain at the center of its EV brand strategy, as it attracts new customers, invests in dealer training and expands its network of EV experts despite growing competition.
Lepas has appointed Gary Lan as UK CEO to lead its launch and growth in Britain, together with chief executive Ray Wang, with the first sales through the existing Chery network.
Rules of Law he gave his colleague respect Jide-Ofer Okakbuewho died after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, remembered for his warmth, good attitude and care for others.
Car Care Plan is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of growth as a global car care provider working with more than 30 manufacturers and 2,500 dealers worldwide.
Independent traders at Car Dealer Live 2026 warned that rising pre-owned prices and ongoing inventory shortages are slowing as competition from used cars intensifies.
Rain will gradually fall in the south-east across the UK today, according to the Met Office, starting in north-west Scotland and gradually easing as it reaches northern England and north Wales in the evening, with mostly cloudy conditions.
Tonight, the rain will end as it moves across the southeast, leaving clear spells and widespread frost across northern areas.
Thursday will be mostly dry with sunshine, although the far south-east could see some heavy rain and fresh rain will arrive in the north-west later, with temperatures likely in early April.
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