BUSINESS LIVE: Britons go to the polls; Peel Hunt gets revenue boost; Marston’s appoints new chairman

The FTSE 250 index, which focuses on the domestic market, rose 15.96 points to 20,545.38.

Purchases of new cars by private buyers fell in June compared with the same month last year, preliminary figures show.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said the overall new car market grew slightly year on year, due to an increase in purchases for fleets owned or leased by businesses or other organisations.

This means that, for the first time since 2019, more than half a million new cars were registered in the first half of the year.

The overall new car market during the first six months of 2024 increased by around 5 percent compared to the same period last year.

Aldi has been crowned the cheapest supermarket for a trolley full of 65 items despite rivals promising to match prices, new findings reveal.

In June, the average bill for a 65-item hamper at Aldi was £118.41, £32.60 less than at the most expensive Waitrose, at £151.01.

Waitrose was found to be almost 28 per cent more expensive than Aldi for the same products in June.

Britons are flocking to the polls today for the general election. Today is also a public holiday in the United States.

Trading updates and reports from companies including Marston’s, 3i Infrastructure and Victrix will be released today. The latest construction data will also be released at 9.30am.