https://www.theguardian.com/uk/money Latest personal finance and money news, comment and information on your property, mortgages, insurance, savings and investments from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Sat, 20 Jun 2026 20:00:47 GMT 2026-06-20T20:00:47Z en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/20/great-british-summer-savings-scheme-family-deals-films-vat-cut <p>Government’s temporary VAT cut aims to ease cost of living for families this summer – here’s what’s on offer</p><p>From Thursday families can enjoy a cut-price trip to Legoland or the cinema to watch Toy Story 5 as the government’s school holiday discount scheme <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/great-british-summer-savings-vat-slashed-to-save-families-money-on-days-out">Great British summer savings</a> gets under way.</p><p>Billed by Rachel Reeves as a way to “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/20/rachel-reeves-summer-bus-rides-food-tariffs-inflation-fuel-duty">support families with the little treats in life”</a>, the temporary VAT cut will reduce ticket prices at family attractions such as zoos and theme parks as well as the cost of children’s cinema tickets and restaurant meals.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/20/great-british-summer-savings-scheme-family-deals-films-vat-cut">Continue reading...</a> Saving money Consumer affairs Money Travel & leisure Theme parks Food & drink industry Tax Business UK cost of living crisis Toy Story 5 UK news Hospitality industry Services sector Sat, 20 Jun 2026 06:00:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/20/great-british-summer-savings-scheme-family-deals-films-vat-cut Photograph: Greg Balfour Evans/Alamy Photograph: Greg Balfour Evans/Alamy Photograph: Greg Balfour Evans/Alamy Zoe Wood 2026-06-20T06:00:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/19/what-could-us-iran-peace-deal-mean-for-uk-household-costs <p>The impact on petrol and food prices, energy bills and mortgages if the truce holds and strait of Hormuz reopens</p><p>Around the world, markets reacted with relief this week to news that Donald Trump had <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/17/trump-us-iran-war-mou-deal">signed a draft peace deal with Iran </a>that promised to reopen flows of oil and gas from the Gulf to global buyers.</p><p>There are already signs the truce could unravel, with Friday’s peace talks in Switzerland <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/19/us-iran-talks-in-switzerland-cancelled">abruptly called off</a>, but for now markets seem persuaded that commercial vessel traffic through the key waterway can start returning to normal.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/19/what-could-us-iran-peace-deal-mean-for-uk-household-costs">Continue reading...</a> Household bills Family finances Business Donald Trump US-Israel war on Iran Oil UK cost of living crisis Gas Strait of Hormuz Economics Petrol prices Energy industry Energy bills Food & drink industry Mortgages Mortgage rates UK news Motoring Interest rates Consumer affairs Money Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:35:35 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/19/what-could-us-iran-peace-deal-mean-for-uk-household-costs Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Jillian Ambrose and Zoe Wood 2026-06-19T13:35:35Z https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/20/motorway-traffic-drones-driving-distraction-virtual-reality-simulation <p>National Highways agency uses virtual reality test to see if drivers are distracted by introduction of low-flying drones</p><p>I’m barrelling down the motorway at 70mph, swerving from lane to lane, with cars speeding past me. There’s just one problem, I don’t have a driving licence.</p><p>Or at least it would be a problem were this a real road test. But despite the life-like surroundings, I am in fact trialling a complex simulation created by virtual reality company MXT on behalf of National Highways, the government-owned agency responsible for the UK’s major roads.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/20/motorway-traffic-drones-driving-distraction-virtual-reality-simulation">Continue reading...</a> UK news Road safety Virtual reality London Manchester Birmingham Sat, 20 Jun 2026 09:17:47 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/20/motorway-traffic-drones-driving-distraction-virtual-reality-simulation Photograph: Jon Super/The Guardian Photograph: Jon Super/The Guardian Photograph: Jon Super/The Guardian Raphael Boyd 2026-06-20T09:17:47Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/17/capital-gains-tax-more-people-have-to-pay-so-heres-what-you-need-to-know <p>The rules have changed and more taxpayers are being pulled into the net, not only the wealthy</p><p>Less generous rules have turned capital gains tax into a “cash machine” for the government, with income from the levy soaring by almost 80% to £24bn in the last tax year – equivalent to well over £800 a household.</p><p>A series of changes to the way the charge works means more people are being pulled into the capital gains tax (CGT) net, and not only the wealthy. And, given the scale of the change, this week experts were reminding consumers of legitimate ways to reduce a CGT bill.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/17/capital-gains-tax-more-people-have-to-pay-so-heres-what-you-need-to-know">Continue reading...</a> Capital gains tax Money Tax Consumer affairs UK news Isas Investments Investment Isas Savings Tax and spending Politics Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:00:24 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/17/capital-gains-tax-more-people-have-to-pay-so-heres-what-you-need-to-know Photograph: Mykhailo Polenok/Alamy Photograph: Mykhailo Polenok/Alamy Photograph: Mykhailo Polenok/Alamy Rupert Jones 2026-06-17T06:00:24Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/18/fewer-than-half-of-rail-commuters-great-britain-think-train-fare-value-for-money <p>Findings of national survey comes as rail regulator reports record 1.83bn passenger journeys last year</p><p>Fewer than half of rail commuters in Great Britain think their train fare is value for money, a national passenger survey has found.</p><p>Travellers on the CrossCountry long-distance rail service were the least satisfied overall, according to the <a href="https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/rail-customer-experience-survey/">research by the passenger watchdog Transport Focus</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/18/fewer-than-half-of-rail-commuters-great-britain-think-train-fare-value-for-money">Continue reading...</a> Rail fares Rail industry Rail transport Transport Consumer affairs Money Transport policy Business UK news Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:40:22 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/18/fewer-than-half-of-rail-commuters-great-britain-think-train-fare-value-for-money Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent 2026-06-18T12:40:22Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/17/uk-inflation-steady-despite-iran-conflict-fuel-prices <p>May’s figure confounds forecasts of an increase to 3% as Bank of England prepares to set interest rates</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/17/uk-inflation-rate-softer-iran-war-hit-than-expected">Analysis: benign data signals a softer hit than feared</a></p></li></ul><p>UK inflation unexpectedly remained at 2.8% in May, as rising energy costs caused by the Iran conflict were offset by slower increases in food prices.</p><p>The unchanged reading on the consumer price index measure of inflation (CPI) confounded economists’ expectations of a 3% increase as the conflict restricted global energy flows – and raised hopes that the impact of the war on prices <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/17/uk-inflation-rate-softer-iran-war-hit-than-expected">might be more muted than feared</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/17/uk-inflation-steady-despite-iran-conflict-fuel-prices">Continue reading...</a> Inflation Interest rates Economics Business UK news Bank of England US-Israel war on Iran Energy bills Household bills Consumer affairs Money World news Petrol prices Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:00:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/17/uk-inflation-steady-despite-iran-conflict-fuel-prices Photograph: Martin Lee/Alamy Photograph: Martin Lee/Alamy Photograph: Martin Lee/Alamy Heather Stewart and Joanna Partridge 2026-06-17T06:00:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/16/retail-giants-join-uk-government-drive-to-boost-plug-in-balcony-solar-panels <p>Asda, Amazon and B&amp;Q among retailers in talks to sell devices that feed into household sockets and can cut electricity bills by 30%</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/16/spanish-households-save-renewables-expansion-electricity-gas-prices-iran-war">Spanish homes save €10 a month via renewables expansion</a></p></li></ul><p>Bosses of some of Britain’s biggest retailers are discussing plans with the government to start selling plug-in solar panels as part of a drive to encourage more UK homes to generate their own electricity.</p><p>Executives from brands including Currys, B&amp;Q and Amazon met Martin McCluskey, the minister for energy consumers, on Tuesday to discuss guidelines for selling “balcony solar panels” to the British public.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/16/retail-giants-join-uk-government-drive-to-boost-plug-in-balcony-solar-panels">Continue reading...</a> Energy bills Solar power Renewable energy Environment Energy Energy industry Energy efficiency Business Consumer affairs Household bills Money Greenhouse gas emissions Ed Miliband Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:01:36 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/16/retail-giants-join-uk-government-drive-to-boost-plug-in-balcony-solar-panels Photograph: Climate Central Photograph: Climate Central Photograph: Climate Central Jillian Ambrose Energy correspondent 2026-06-16T14:01:36Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/15/investment-fraud-uk-more-than-220m-lost-last-year-scams-ai <p>Scams involving gold, cryptocurrencies and wine rise as criminals use AI to increasingly carry out larger-scale fraud</p><p>Increasingly elaborate investment scams involving gold, cryptocurrencies and wine have soared in the past year with more than £220m lost to the fraud, according to a report.</p><p>UK banks reported almost 15,000 investment scams in 2025 as criminals use artificial intelligence to dupe people out of their money.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/15/investment-fraud-uk-more-than-220m-lost-last-year-scams-ai">Continue reading...</a> Scams Banking Business Banks and building societies Cryptocurrencies Consumer affairs Money UK news Gold Wine Investments Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:00:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/15/investment-fraud-uk-more-than-220m-lost-last-year-scams-ai Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters Shane Hickey 2026-06-15T08:00:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/14/i-should-know-better-tech-expert-lost-70000-in-one-simple-phone-call <p>After falling for a scam call, ‘The Tech Chap’ host Tom Honeyands realised he’d given away vital details in social media posts</p><p>When Tom Honeyands realised he had been defrauded out of £70,000 he was furious and embarrassed – and left wondering if he had given away too many details on his social media videos.</p><p>Honeyands was on a work trip to Tokyo when he got a call from someone claiming to be from Lloyds bank. The caller asked if he had made a recent transaction in Singapore and when he said no, the scammer said his account had been compromised and that security details needed to be reset.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/14/i-should-know-better-tech-expert-lost-70000-in-one-simple-phone-call">Continue reading...</a> Money Scams Technology YouTube Lloyds Banking Group UK news Business Consumer affairs Sun, 14 Jun 2026 06:00:36 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/14/i-should-know-better-tech-expert-lost-70000-in-one-simple-phone-call Photograph: ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy Photograph: ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy Photograph: ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy Shane Hickey 2026-06-14T06:00:36Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/16/five-star-service-from-mobility-equipment-firm-saved-our-holiday <p>Wuva staff’s kindness and empathy means we are able to plan more trips away</p><p><strong>My husband has motor neurone disease (MND). For us to continue going away, we decided to buy a refurbished mobile hoist, which helps to get out of a bed, from the online mobility equipment company, Wuva.</strong></p><p><strong>It arrived quickly, but had been damaged in transit and didn’t work. I contacted Wuva out of hours via WhatsApp, and within five minutes I received an extensive apology and advised an engineer would call me shortly.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/16/five-star-service-from-mobility-equipment-firm-saved-our-holiday">Continue reading...</a> Money Consumer affairs Consumer rights Disability Health Society Tue, 16 Jun 2026 06:00:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/16/five-star-service-from-mobility-equipment-firm-saved-our-holiday Photograph: artisteer/Getty Images/iStockphoto Photograph: artisteer/Getty Images/iStockphoto Photograph: artisteer/Getty Images/iStockphoto Anna Tims 2026-06-16T06:00:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/15/a-350-swimming-pool-fee-ruined-our-easyjet-holiday <p>We booked our hotel because of its swimming pool but a hefty hourly fee to use it wasn’t mentioned</p><p><strong>My partner and I paid £2,150 for a week’s all-inclusive break in Marrakech with easyJet Holidays.</strong></p><p><strong>We chose the Jaal Riad Resort Hotel because of its pool and spa. When we arrived, we were told that use of the heated pool cost £24 a person an hour, the Jacuzzi £24 for 20 minutes, and the hammam was £16 for 20 minutes.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/15/a-350-swimming-pool-fee-ruined-our-easyjet-holiday">Continue reading...</a> Consumer rights Consumer affairs Money Travel & leisure easyJet Business UK news Airline industry Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:00:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/15/a-350-swimming-pool-fee-ruined-our-easyjet-holiday Photograph: golero/Getty Images Photograph: golero/Getty Images Photograph: golero/Getty Images Anna Tims 2026-06-15T06:00:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/09/bt-phone-upgrade-line-digital-voice <p>The line is vital for our elderly relative’s care, but after 20 calls BT seems unable to resolve the problem</p><p><strong>My elderly aunt, who lives alone, has been unable to receive incoming calls for </strong><strong>more than two months after BT switched her analogue service to Digital Voice.</strong></p><p><strong>Her care is overseen by a rota of relatives who check on her and arrange medical appointments and in-home help.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/09/bt-phone-upgrade-line-digital-voice">Continue reading...</a> Consumer affairs Money Consumer rights BT Telecommunications industry UK news Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:47:35 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/09/bt-phone-upgrade-line-digital-voice Photograph: Errol Rait/Alamy Photograph: Errol Rait/Alamy Photograph: Errol Rait/Alamy Anna Tims 2026-06-09T12:47:35Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/08/scottishpower-cheques-late-brother-relatives <p>Bereaved relatives have been bombarded with calls, emails and letters addressed to the deceased</p><p><strong>ScottishPower sent a debt collection letter to my house demanding £130 owing on my late brother’s gas account. I am his sole executor and had informed </strong><strong>it of his death.</strong></p><p><strong>The company, meanwhile, owed a £430 credit on his electricity account. </strong><strong>It eventually paid this with a cheque issued in my late brother’s name, which could not therefore be cashed.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/08/scottishpower-cheques-late-brother-relatives">Continue reading...</a> Energy bills Money Consumer rights Consumer affairs ScottishPower Energy industry Household bills Utilities UK news Mon, 08 Jun 2026 06:00:20 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/08/scottishpower-cheques-late-brother-relatives Photograph: David Cheskin/PA Photograph: David Cheskin/PA Photograph: David Cheskin/PA Anna Tims 2026-06-08T06:00:20Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/07/ai-chatgpt-shopping-scams-fake-websites <p>Buyers are ripped off after assuming online stores were genuine because they are recommended by an AI tool</p><p>You want to buy a new bag and so you ask ChatGPT for help. You have always liked Russell &amp; Bromley so you ask ChatGPT what is popular there at the moment.</p><p>The artificial intelligence (AI) assistant gives you cross body, shoulder, casual and formal options with the prices listed beside them. You click through from the sources to what looks like the official Russell &amp; Bromley site and buy your new bag, which is conveniently on sale.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/07/ai-chatgpt-shopping-scams-fake-websites">Continue reading...</a> Scams Consumer affairs Online shopping Money AI (artificial intelligence) Technology UK news US news World news Retail industry Business Sun, 07 Jun 2026 06:00:26 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/07/ai-chatgpt-shopping-scams-fake-websites Photograph: Dado Ruvić/Reuters Photograph: Dado Ruvić/Reuters Photograph: Dado Ruvić/Reuters Shane Hickey 2026-06-07T06:00:26Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/31/virus-software-scam-trade-fear-urgent-renewal <p>Urgent renewal emails and huge discounts figures are used to pressure people to hand over their data</p><p>You have had McAfee antivirus software installed on your laptop for years after becoming fearful that your computer would be infected. So when an email arrives to say your protection is about to expire, you are not surprised. Better still, there is a “renewal discount” of 89% if you pay on the same day.</p><p>“Once the expiration date has passed, your computer becomes susceptible to many different virus threats,” the email warns.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/31/virus-software-scam-trade-fear-urgent-renewal">Continue reading...</a> Scams Consumer affairs Money UK news US news World news Sun, 31 May 2026 09:30:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/31/virus-software-scam-trade-fear-urgent-renewal Photograph: Louisa Svensson/Alamy Photograph: Louisa Svensson/Alamy Photograph: Louisa Svensson/Alamy Shane Hickey 2026-05-31T09:30:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/24/brazilian-beach-scam-debit-card-con-kebab <p>Travellers warned to beware of debit card cons after one was charged £1,500 for a kebab and another £3,000 for corn on the cob</p><p>When Lisa Selby* used her debit card to pay for two slices of barbecued cheese from a beach vendor in Rio de Janeiro, she expected to pay 40 reais (£5.90) for the snack.</p><p>But shortly after the payment had gone through, she realised that she had been charged 4,000 reais (£590) after the vendor added two extra zeros to the card reader.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/24/brazilian-beach-scam-debit-card-con-kebab">Continue reading...</a> Scams Consumer affairs Money Brazil holidays South America holidays Travel UK news World news Sun, 24 May 2026 06:00:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/24/brazilian-beach-scam-debit-card-con-kebab Photograph: marchello74/Alamy Photograph: marchello74/Alamy Photograph: marchello74/Alamy Anna Tims 2026-05-24T06:00:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/17/killer-counterfeits-flea-treatments-rushing-to-vet-fake-chemicals <p>Some cheap fakes contain toxic chemicals that make pets seriously unwell – and leave you with a big bill</p><p>You want to save money whenever you can so when you see the usual brand of flea treatment for your cat listed at half the normal price, you click “buy”.</p><p>It arrives and you apply it to your pet, but they fall ill and you have to rush to the vet for treatment.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/17/killer-counterfeits-flea-treatments-rushing-to-vet-fake-chemicals">Continue reading...</a> Pets Scams Consumer affairs Life and style Money UK news Sun, 17 May 2026 06:00:31 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/17/killer-counterfeits-flea-treatments-rushing-to-vet-fake-chemicals Photograph: Simon Leigh/Alamy Photograph: Simon Leigh/Alamy Photograph: Simon Leigh/Alamy Shane Hickey 2026-05-17T06:00:31Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2026/jun/19/best-wireless-tv-streaming-devices-tested-uk <p>Want to prolong the life of your TV? A wireless TV box could be the answer. Our expert put top devices – from Freely streamers to Sky and Amazon Fire – through their paces</p><p>• <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/nov/18/do-you-really-need-to-buy-new-tv"><strong>Do you really need a new TV? Simple ways to upgrade your current setup</strong></a><br></p><p>TV is changing – and so is the way we watch it. Forget that dusty aerial or unsightly satellite dish, you can now stream mainstream channels such as the BBC, ITV and others via Freely, alongside premium services such as Sky Atlantic, over wifi – and it doesn’t need to cost the earth.</p><p>Freely comes from the creators of Freeview and Freesat. It’s backed by the UK’s main public service broadcasters and is supported by a growing list of TV providers. Scroll the Freely programme guide, and you’ll find familiar channels such as Dave, Yesterday and W. To watch them, you just need a wireless TV box and wifi.</p><p><strong>Best Freely TV streamer:<br></strong>Manhattan Aero</p><p><strong>Best budget wireless TV stick:<br></strong>Amazon Fire 4K Max</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2026/jun/19/best-wireless-tv-streaming-devices-tested-uk">Continue reading...</a> Technology Life and style Gadgets Fri, 19 Jun 2026 14:00:34 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2026/jun/19/best-wireless-tv-streaming-devices-tested-uk Composite: PR Image Composite: PR Image Composite: PR Image Steve May 2026-06-19T14:00:34Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/sep/19/best-led-red-light-therapy-face-masks <p>They claim to fix fine lines, blemishes and redness – but which stand up to scrutiny? We asked dermatologists and put them to the test to find out</p><p>• <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/apr/05/best-anti-ageing-products-treatments"><strong>The best anti-ageing creams, serums and treatments</strong></a></p><p>LED face masks are booming in popularity – despite being one of the most expensive at-home beauty products to hit the market. They claim to either reduce the appearance of fine lines, stop spots or calm redness, with some even combining different types of light to enhance the benefits.</p><p>However, it’s wise to be sceptical about new treatments that are costly and non-invasive, and to do your research before you buy. With this in mind, I interviewed doctors and dermatologists to find out whether these light therapy devices work.</p><p><strong>Best </strong><strong>LED face mask </strong><strong>overall:<br></strong>CurrentBody Series 2</p><p><strong>Best budget </strong><strong>LED face mask:<br></strong>Silk’n LED face mask 100</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/sep/19/best-led-red-light-therapy-face-masks">Continue reading...</a> Skincare Beauty Life and style Gadgets Technology Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:54:10 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/sep/19/best-led-red-light-therapy-face-masks Composite: PR Image Composite: PR Image Composite: PR Image Sarah Matthews 2026-06-18T09:54:10Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/apr/10/best-power-banks-portable-chargers-battery-uk <p>Forever running out of juice? Top up your battery-powered devices with our expert picks, from tiny smartphone chargers to super speedy models</p><p>• <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2025/feb/13/best-apple-iphone"><strong>The best iPhones: which Apple smartphone is right for you</strong></a></p><p>It’s disempowering when your smartphone, laptop or other important gadget runs out of battery. With the flash of a graphic or a plaintive bleep, we lose a way to entertain ourselves, get things done, stay in touch or even get home safely. There’s a time and a place for a digital detox – but what is the time, and where am I?</p><p>Carrying a power bank is your ticket out of electronic oblivion. These pocket-sized cuboids plug into compatible devices and charge them, often via assorted connections, including USB-C and USB-A. Most power banks are made for charging smartphones and smaller gadgets, such as fitness trackers and earbuds, but some models can also charge power-hungrier laptops and large portable speakers.</p><p><strong>Best power bank overall:</strong><br> Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-port 20k</p><p><strong>Best budget power bank:</strong> <br> Belkin BoostCharge 10k with integrated cable</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/apr/10/best-power-banks-portable-chargers-battery-uk">Continue reading...</a> Technology Life and style Smartphones Laptops Tablet computers Gadgets Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:00:15 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/apr/10/best-power-banks-portable-chargers-battery-uk Composite: PR Image Composite: PR Image Composite: PR Image Pete Wise 2026-06-17T16:00:15Z https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/16/toy-story-5-review-pixar-franchise-needs-new-batteries <p>A sinister new tablet threatens the honest-to-goodness toys’ existence, but Buzz, Woody and Jessie’s big tech moral battle feels compromised</p><p>The fifth episode of the Toy Story franchise is as slick and smooth as you like, as glitchless as Toy Story 6 or Toy Story 7 might be … or will be. As a piece of family-entertainment content it has the unblemished sheen of a brand new smartphone. But at heart, it has gone dead. For all the intensive, high-energy creative work that has clearly gone into this film’s every frame, the jeopardy, the novelty, the ideas and the passion are lacking; the crucial Toy Story theme of mortality feels underpowered, and the film even calamitously loses its nerve with its own big idea – those squeamish about spoilers had better look away now – the sinister way addictive tech devices are undermining the imaginative play that kids once had with honest-to-goodness toys.</p><p>Here a creepy tablet device called Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee) enters the children’s world, but ultimately proves to be capable of sentimental self-sacrificial heroism when it comes to their mental health. Really? At least Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear, the villain from TS3, had the courage of his evil convictions.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/16/toy-story-5-review-pixar-franchise-needs-new-batteries">Continue reading...</a> Pixar Film Animation in film Culture Tom Hanks Family films Technology Toy Story Walt Disney Company Toy Story 5 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:00:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/16/toy-story-5-review-pixar-franchise-needs-new-batteries Photograph: Disney/PA Photograph: Disney/PA Photograph: Disney/PA Peter Bradshaw 2026-06-16T16:00:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/jun/19/homes-for-sale-in-former-schools-in-england-and-scotland-in-pictures <p>From a one-room village school transformed into a five-bedroom rural pile to a flat in a grand Victorian building in London</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/jun/19/homes-for-sale-in-former-schools-in-england-and-scotland-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Money Property UK news England Scotland Fri, 19 Jun 2026 06:00:24 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/jun/19/homes-for-sale-in-former-schools-in-england-and-scotland-in-pictures Photograph: Fine & Country Photograph: Fine & Country Photograph: Fine & Country Anna White 2026-06-19T06:00:24Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/jun/12/homes-in-cultural-hotspots-for-sale-in-england-and-scotland-in-pictures <p>From a new-build in the UK’s only Unesco city of media arts to a buzzing area in London famous for its street art</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/jun/12/homes-in-cultural-hotspots-for-sale-in-england-and-scotland-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Money Property Culture Festivals England Scotland Fri, 12 Jun 2026 06:11:52 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/jun/12/homes-in-cultural-hotspots-for-sale-in-england-and-scotland-in-pictures Photograph: Savills Photograph: Savills Photograph: Savills Anna White 2026-06-12T06:11:52Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/jun/05/homes-for-sale-with-water-views-in-england-and-scotland-in-pictures <p>From a London houseboat with views of the River Thames to a property by a loch in the Inner Hebrides</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/jun/05/homes-for-sale-with-water-views-in-england-and-scotland-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Property Money UK news England Scotland Fri, 05 Jun 2026 06:00:27 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/jun/05/homes-for-sale-with-water-views-in-england-and-scotland-in-pictures Photograph: The Modern House Photograph: The Modern House Photograph: The Modern House Anna White 2026-06-05T06:00:27Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/may/29/period-homes-with-stylish-extensions-for-sale-in-england-in-pictures <p>From a red-brick house with a tower-like extension in the city to a Victorian home with an industrial-style extension in the country</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/may/29/period-homes-with-stylish-extensions-for-sale-in-england-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Property Money UK news Fri, 29 May 2026 06:00:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/may/29/period-homes-with-stylish-extensions-for-sale-in-england-in-pictures Photograph: The Modern House Photograph: The Modern House Photograph: The Modern House Anna White 2026-05-29T06:00:42Z