New figures from GfK show overall consumer confidence rose by six points in July to minus 17 – the largest monthly increase since November 2023.

Although confidence remains below zero, the sharp improvement suggests households are becoming more optimistic after years of high inflation and cost-of-living pressures.

The research was carried out between July 1 and July 14, before Andy Burnham officially entered Downing Street, meaning respondents were reacting largely to expectations surrounding the new Prime Minister rather than his policy announcements.

Confidence in the UK’s economy over the past year climbed 10 points to minus 39, while expectations for the year ahead improved by eight points to minus 28.

People also appeared more willing to spend, with GfK’s Major Purchase Index – which measures confidence in buying expensive items such as furniture, electrical goods and cars – jumping eight points to minus 12, its greatest improvement in months.

Confidence in personal finances over the next year also edged into positive territory, rising three points to plus one.

Neil Bellamy, Consumer Insights Director at GfK, said: “Hot on the heels of the summer heatwaves, July has delivered a wave of optimism.”

He suggested several factors had combined to improve sentiment.

“The sense of a fresh start following the appointment of a new Prime Minister surely accounts for some of this bounce.”

Bellamy also pointed to hopes that tensions in the Middle East would ease.

“There were also hopes at the start of July that the Middle East conflict might stabilise and bring UK fuel prices down.”

He added that England’s performances at the FIFA World Cup had also helped boost morale.

“The feel-good factor of the Fifa World Cup will have reinforced sentiment too.”

Despite the sharp improvement, Bellamy cautioned that households are not yet out of the woods.

“July’s improved Overall Index Score remains within the narrow range seen since the end of 2023, and it is a decade since the headline score was in positive territory.”

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He said the Government would now need to turn optimism into lasting economic improvement.

“For the ‘Burnham bounce’ to be sustainable and boost consumer confidence, it will require consistent delivery by the refreshed UK Government against deep cost-of-living challenges and persistent low economic growth.”

The figures provide an encouraging early sign for Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey, who have already announced a series of cost-of-living measures, including a cut to VAT on electricity bills, the return of the £2 bus fare cap and plans to review the frozen £12,570 income tax personal allowance in the Autumn Budget.

While confidence remains in negative territory, the biggest monthly rise since 2023 suggests households are beginning to believe the economic outlook could finally be improving.

Good weather, sporting success or cost of living help – what’s making you feel positive this summer? Tell us in the comments below…

LAS VEGAS (AP) — An investment group that includes ex-Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has bought a minority stake in the Athletics in anticipation of their move to Las Vegas in 2028.

Thursday’s announcement by Harbinger Sports Group did not say what percentage of the Athletics it had acquired. Cuban, who maintains a minority stake in the Mavericks, is the general partner and president of the Atlanta-based group. Atlanta Falcons minority owner Rashaun Williams is the founder and chief investment officer.

Co-founder and CEO Steve Cannon is vice chairman of AMB Sports and Entertainment that oversees Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Atlanta Falcons. Managing partner Jonathan Mariner is the former chief financial officer for Major League Baseball.

“We are minority investors looking to make our investors a lot of money,” Cuban said.

John Fisher is the majority owner of the A’s and is overseeing construction of a $2 billion, 33,000-capacity domed stadium on the Las Vegas Strip.

“We are very pleased to welcome Harbinger Sports Partners as an investor in the Athletics,” the team said in a statement. “The experience of their principals across sports, media, and entertainment, combined with their long-term perspective, makes them a valuable addition to our ownership group as we work to build the future of the franchise in Las Vegas.”

The A’s are playing the second of three planned seasons at a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento, California.

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AP Sports Writer Schuyler Dixon in Dallas contributed to this report.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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Residents said the smoke had caused a “fogginess” and “acrid smell” stretching for several miles between Torfaen and Pontypool.

SWFRS warned residents to keep windows and doors closed, and advised commuters to switch air conditioning to recirculation mode in their vehicles.

The fire service said it had cut a full perimeter line around the incident.

“This offers a line of protection with the aim of keeping the incident contained, supported by two additional water bowsers from partners and contractors,” it said.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews continued to monitor the situation in Capelulo, near Sychnant Pass, in the wake of a large grass fire on Conwy Mountain.

Elsewhere, firefighters have tackled fires at Hope Mountain and Brymbo, in Wrexham county, Pentrefelin, Holyhead, and Pentre Halkyn overlooking the A55 in Flintshire.

The fire service said they were continuing to oversee conditions as a precaution, with teams from Mid and West Wales Fire Service on hand to help.

The North East Business Awards, now in their 26th year, celebrate the very best of the region’s business community across three areas: Northumberland & Tyneside, Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside, and Teesside.

Nine Teesside businesses will head to the grand final in October.

Made in the North East award – Binding Solutions Ltd.

Binding Solutions Ltd. (Image: Binding Solutions Ltd)

Binding Solutions has been recognised for its manufacturing excellence, flying the flag for products designed and made in the region.

Binding Solutions are a fast-growing technology company with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and energy use, primarily in the production of steel.

Business Person of the Year – Laura Edgar, Aura Infection Control.

Aura Infection Control’s Managing Director, Laura Edgar, takes the Business Person of the Year title, highlighting her leadership and impact within the infection control sector.

Aura Infection Control is the market leader in dental infection control products and solutions.

Growth award – BA Joinery.

BA Joinery. (Image: BA Joinery)

BA Joinery’s success in the Growth category reflects rapid expansion and ambition, underlining the strength of Teesside’s joinery and construction supply chain.

Small Business of the Year – Colewood Digital.

Colewood Digital has been named Small Business of the Year, showcasing the growing influence of Teesside’s digital marketing firms.

Innovation award – Salesfire.

Tech company Salesfire takes the Innovation award, representing the region’s credentials in software, data, and e-commerce solutions.

Business for Good award – Binding Solutions Ltd.

Binding Solutions adds a second win with Business for Good, recognising the company’s wider social, environmental, or community contribution alongside its commercial performance.

Start-up award – Cognitive HealthTech Ltd.

Cognitive HealthTech Ltd is named Start-up of the Year, for their work in revolutionising brain health monitoring using AI-powered technology.

Best Place to Work award – Aura Infection Control Ltd.

Aura Infection Control Ltd. (Image: Chris Booth, Aura Infection Control)

Aura Infection Control is also crowned Best Place to Work, with the double success pointing to a strong workplace culture as well as effective leadership.

Business of the Year – ProPharma.

Drug development group ProPharma takes the Teesside Business of the Year title and will now compete for the overall North East crown.

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The grand final of the North East Business Awards will take place on Thursday, October 1, at Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield.

The event is expected to bring together leading figures from across the region’s business community, along with sponsors and partners including headline partner Sage and associate partner Newcastle University.

For the Teesside firms, it will be a chance not only to celebrate success but also to showcase the area’s innovation, resilience, and growth to a wider audience.

The woman refused to enter the man’s car, before she was grabbed by her hands and forced into a vehicle

A man who forced his partner into a car and drove recklessly to try and avoid police has been jailed. Aamir Mahmood, 33, approached the victim in Thorpe Road, Peterborough at around 3pm on February 5, 2025.

Mahmood tried to persuade her to get into his Volkswagen Golf, however she refused and tried to flee. The 33-year-old then grabbed the woman’s hands, dragged her into his car and forced her into the passenger’s seat.

A nearby resident heard the victim screaming and approached the vehicle to check on her. When she replied she wasn’t ok, Mahmood claimed she was fine and drove away.

Police were called and the car was located in Princes Street, Peterborough around 20 minutes later. Officers signalled for the car to stop, but Mahmood ignored them and sped away.

During the pursuit, Mahmood told his partner that if they crashed, he would “drive into a wall on your side so you die first”. Mahmood carried out dangerous overtakes on narrow streets and came close to crashing into another vehicle.

Officers temporarily lost sight of the Golf, but they soon found it had crashed at the junction of Park Road and Princes Street, after crashing into another car. Mahmood fled from the driver’s side of the car, but he was chased on foot by police and arrested.

The victim was taken to Peterborough City Hospital with minor injuries. Mahmood, of Huntly Grove, Peterborough, admitted false imprisonment and dangerous driving.

On July 17 at Peterborough Crown Court, he was sentenced to six years in prison. He was also disqualified from driving.

Detective Constable Joshua Crown, who investigated, said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim, who was forcibly taken against her will and was then powerless as Mahmood put her at great risk by driving so dangerously.

“Mahmood selfishly showed a complete disregard for her safety, the safety of other road users and the officers trying to stop him.

“Thanks to the swift actions of witnesses and responding officers, he was quickly brought into custody and has now faced the consequences of his actions.”

Is he too sexy for his shorts? A lycra-clad politician has been sacked after going viral for wearing too tight cycling gear.

Mehmet Fatih Cicekli, the governor of Ardahan province in eastern Turkey, was removed from his post by a presidential decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The cycling mad politician rode headfirst into an unexpected political maelstrom after photos of him in snug cycling shorts went viral.

He has since also become the centre of a campaign pressing for his return to office amid an outpouring of affection.

While no reason was given for his dismissal, it came after some Turkish politicians criticised him for wearing cycling tights during a public event promoting the sport and for posting the photos on social media.

Inan Akgun Alp, a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party, accused Cicekli of allegedly prioritising social media over official duties, adding the tight attire was inappropriate for a governor.

‘He goes around in tights, spends all day cycling, with bodyguards in front of him, cycling in tights until the evening,’ the T-24 news website quoted Alp as saying during a parliamentary debate last week. ‘A governor cannot wander around the city centre like this.’

Showing a picture to a crowd at a rally, Alp continued: ‘Such governors are unacceptable. Either remove these governors or at least send them fig leaves to wear.’

Downing Street say the new Prime Minister will spend time there each week and that other cabinet ministers will work there on a ‘regular basis’

Andy Burnham says ‘the days of Whitehall resisting devolution are over’ as he prepares to spend his first day working at No 10 North.

The Prime Minister will ‘throw open the doors’ to the newly-formed branch of Downing Street, to be based in Manchester, tomorrow (Friday, July 24) his office said.

He is to spend the end of his first working week in office at the new hub where he will chair the first meeting of the revived National Economic Council.

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Currently operating from Heron House, facing Albert Square in Manchester city centre, Downing Street says No 10 North will ‘he levers of local economic growth and devolution together under one roof for the first time’ and act as a ‘new situation room for growth.’

Mr Burnham will spend time there each week, it is said, with other ministers to work from there ‘on a regular basis.’

According to the BBC, the Education Secretary Lucy Powell, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, and Louise Haigh, who is overseeing No 10 North in her role as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, are planning to work there.

They claim at least seven former Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) employees, including four senior managers, have been recruited by Mr Burnham and already moving into the offices.

Civil servants in Whitehall have also reportedly been offered incentives to move from London to work there.

Downing Street said the new hub means ‘decisions about the country’s economic future will no longer exclusively be made in Westminster.’

Mr Burnham said: “For 40 years, power and resources have been sucked into the centre, and too many communities have felt forgotten, without the attention and investment they deserve.

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“No 10 North will change that by putting more power into every postcode across the entire country.

“It will be the situation room for making Britain better – the place we use to get power out of Westminster, into the hands of people at a local level, so that they can turn things around. The days of Whitehall resisting devolution are over, for good.”

Speaking earlier at The Hare pub in Harlow, Essex, Mr Burnham said: “Tomorrow, we’ll be meeting in Manchester in No 10 North. And whole purpose of No 10 North is to put more power into every postcode in the land, including the postcodes of Harlow.”

Ms Haigh said: “Today marks a fundamental re-balancing of where power sits in our country. No10 North has been set up to drive economic growth in every postcode and put power in the hands of every community.

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“Through this department, this Government will ensure that the places overlooked by Westminster for decades are given a real voice. No.10 North is open for business.”

The meeting comes off the back of a series of interventions made to ease the cost of living and back local high streets, setting the tone for the PM’s cost-of-living government.”

The National Economic Council, which brings together senior ministers and regional mayors, was first established during the economic crash of 2008.

Its revival, Downing Street said, ‘reflects the Prime Minister’s belief that delivering economic growth now requires the same level of urgency, focus and collective action, bringing together other government departments and local leaders.’

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