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, 30 May 2026 14:11:27 GMT 2026-05-30T14:11:27Z 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/business/2026/may/30/gluten-free-basics-luxury-bread-prices-coeliac-diseasae <p>People with coeliac disease say inflation and shrinking ranges are making food staples unaffordable</p><p>Gluten-free versions of everyday staples such as bread and biscuits are becoming a luxury, with shoppers complaining that a “decent” small loaf now costs nearly £4.</p><p>Consumers have always paid a premium for these specialist foods, making any price increases a source of concern, particularly for people who follow a gluten-free diet for medical reasons.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/30/gluten-free-basics-luxury-bread-prices-coeliac-diseasae">Continue reading...</a> Inflation Supermarkets Gluten-free UK cost of living crisis Retail industry Consumer affairs Money UK news Allergies Food Business Society Sat, 30 May 2026 06:00:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/30/gluten-free-basics-luxury-bread-prices-coeliac-diseasae Photograph: Irina Naoumova/Alamy Photograph: Irina Naoumova/Alamy Photograph: Irina Naoumova/Alamy Zoe Wood 2026-05-30T06:00:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/30/on-street-ev-charging-uk-postcode-lottery-council-objections-gullies-safety-legal-parking <p>Despite government pledges, more than 20 authorities will not allow gullies, citing safety, legal and parking concerns</p><p>The energy secretary, Ed Miliband, has <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/decisive-action-to-break-influence-of-gas-on-electricity-prices">said</a> charger gullies to connect electric cars parked on streets will help cut costs for drivers, yet millions of UK households may be unable to use the simple technology because their local councils will still not allow charging cables to cross the pavement.</p><p>Despite <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/21/ev-charging-shake-up-looks-to-help-uk-households-solve-off-street-parking-problem">government promises to “slash red tape”</a> and make it easier to put in gullies, more than 20 local authorities appear to be holding out against them.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/30/on-street-ev-charging-uk-postcode-lottery-council-objections-gullies-safety-legal-parking">Continue reading...</a> Electric, hybrid and low-emission cars Infrastructure Motoring Motoring Business Local government Planning policy Environment UK news Money Sat, 30 May 2026 07:00:12 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/30/on-street-ev-charging-uk-postcode-lottery-council-objections-gullies-safety-legal-parking Photograph: Alex Segre/Alamy Photograph: Alex Segre/Alamy Photograph: Alex Segre/Alamy Jasper Jolly 2026-05-30T07:00:12Z https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/may/30/britons-travelling-home-via-eu-airports-should-allow-three-hours-before-flights-eu-ees <p>Entry-exit system, which replaces passport stamps with digital registration, causing huge delays at border checks</p><p>British passengers returning home via European airports should arrive three hours before their flights are due to depart, an airline boss has advised, amid concerns about new security procedures causing large queues.</p><p>The EU entry-exit system (EES), which replaces passport stamps with a digital registration, has been gradually been introduced in Europe since October 2025 and became fully operational last month. Some passengers have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/15/eu-entry-exit-system-ees-delays-airports-border-checks">faced huge delays at border checks</a>, airports have said.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/may/30/britons-travelling-home-via-eu-airports-should-allow-three-hours-before-flights-eu-ees">Continue reading...</a> Travel UK news European Union Flights Sat, 30 May 2026 09:17:34 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/may/30/britons-travelling-home-via-eu-airports-should-allow-three-hours-before-flights-eu-ees Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Kevin Rawlinson 2026-05-30T09:17:34Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/30/young-people-neets-jobs-housing-crisis-homelessness <p>Centrepoint warns young people facing ‘huge scarcity of work opportunities’ after Alan Milburn’s report on crisis</p><p>The growing number of young people not in work or education is driving more into unstable housing or homelessness, charities have said.</p><p>A government-commissioned review into the crisis facing young people in the UK said <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/27/neets-could-hit-125m-by-early-2030s-milburn-review-young-people-employment-uk">there could be a 25% rise</a> in young people not in education, employment or training (Neet) to 1.25 million by the early 2030s without intervention.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/30/young-people-neets-jobs-housing-crisis-homelessness">Continue reading...</a> Young people Unemployment Homelessness Economic policy UK news Poverty Politics Inequality Society Social exclusion Apprenticeships Housing Sat, 30 May 2026 10:52:45 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/30/young-people-neets-jobs-housing-crisis-homelessness Composite: Centrepoint Composite: Centrepoint Composite: Centrepoint Jessica Murray Social affairs correspondent 2026-05-30T10:52:45Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/29/britons-struggling-mortgage-since-iran-war-began <p>Whether first-time buyers, in between homes or refixing, people tell of impact of higher mortgage rates on housing</p><p>Prospects of cuts in UK interest rates in 2026, which were widely expected at the start of the year, were rapidly extinguished when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/28/us-israel-launch-strikes-attack-iran-what-we-know-so-far-latest">the Iran war started</a> at the end of February. The renewed threat of inflation means the Bank of England is now expected to raise rates at least once this year, with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/19/bank-bosses-meeting-rachel-reeves-impact-iran-war-uk-economy">mortgage costs</a> staying higher for longer.</p><p>The boss of Britain’s largest housebuilder said on Thursday it was the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/28/young-first-time-buyers-face-toughest-time-since-financial-crisis-says-uk-housebuilder">most challenging time to be a first-time buyer</a> since the 2008 financial crisis.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/29/britons-struggling-mortgage-since-iran-war-began">Continue reading...</a> Mortgage rates Housing market Mortgages Banks and building societies First-time buyers Money Real estate Property Business House prices Fri, 29 May 2026 05:00:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/29/britons-struggling-mortgage-since-iran-war-began Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Jane Clinton 2026-05-29T05:00:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/29/london-tube-strikes-to-go-ahead-tuesday-thursday-rmt <p>Two 24-hour stoppages by drivers to take place next week as part of action over proposals for four-day week</p><p>Strikes by drivers on London Underground next week will go ahead, the RMT union has announced, paving the way for more days of transport disruption.</p><p>Two 24-hour stoppages are to take place, from 00.01 to 23.59 on Tuesday 2 June and Thursday 4 June, because of differences over a planned four-day week.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/29/london-tube-strikes-to-go-ahead-tuesday-thursday-rmt">Continue reading...</a> London Underground Industrial action RMT Transport TfL London Rail transport Trade unions UK news Business Fri, 29 May 2026 14:07:44 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/29/london-tube-strikes-to-go-ahead-tuesday-thursday-rmt Photograph: Zeynep Demir Aslim/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Photograph: Zeynep Demir Aslim/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Photograph: Zeynep Demir Aslim/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Joanna Partridge 2026-05-29T14:07:44Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/28/young-people-struggle-to-find-work-milburn-report <p>Job seekers say the lack of opportunities has affected their mental health and left them fearing for the future</p><p>When Catherina finished her degree in digital film production in London, she thought her prospects of finding work were good, but she has found the jobs market tough.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/28/young-people-struggle-to-find-work-milburn-report">Continue reading...</a> Unemployment Young people UK news Thu, 28 May 2026 18:53:46 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/28/young-people-struggle-to-find-work-milburn-report Photograph: Supplied Photograph: Supplied Photograph: Supplied Jasper Jolly 2026-05-28T18:53:46Z https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/28/air-conditioning-uk-homes-heatwave <p>As summers become hotter, air conditioner sales are booming. If you’re looking to invest, here’s what to consider</p><p>When a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/25/uk-heat-may-temperature-record-weather">heatwave struck the UK</a> this week, Jon Connorton, a software developer, began monitoring temperatures inside his east Hampshire terrace house. With some rooms reaching close to 40C, it was time to deploy the air conditioner. “We just wheel it out in emergencies,” he said. “We were having trouble sleeping.”</p><p>Connorton and his wife have a portable air conditioner. These plug-in devices cool interior air by removing heat from it and blowing that heat outside, typically via a large hose slung from a window or door.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/28/air-conditioning-uk-homes-heatwave">Continue reading...</a> Energy efficiency Extreme heat UK weather Climate crisis Energy Energy Homes Environment Life and style UK news Thu, 28 May 2026 15:58:55 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/28/air-conditioning-uk-homes-heatwave Photograph: LeoPatrizi/Getty Images Photograph: LeoPatrizi/Getty Images Photograph: LeoPatrizi/Getty Images Chris Baraniuk and Zoe Wood 2026-05-28T15:58:55Z https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/28/anger-kent-south-east-water-outages <p>Water company blames increased demand in extreme heat, but customers want answers about lack of storage reservoirs</p><p>“Spitting, fuming, angry and powerless” is how Pat Prestage describes her emotions after a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/25/south-east-water-homes-kent-sussex-supply-outages">water outage</a> that has affected thousands of homes in Kent during the heatwave.</p><p>On Wednesday, 8,000 South East Water customers in Whitstable lost water, with 14,000 more in Tankerton, Ashford, and its surrounding areas facing an intermittent supply or low pressure. South East Water’s incident manager, Matthew Dean, said on Thursday that 22,000 people had had water supply problems.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/28/anger-kent-south-east-water-outages">Continue reading...</a> Water Water industry Kent Utilities Extreme heat UK news England Business Environment Thu, 28 May 2026 17:01:53 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/28/anger-kent-south-east-water-outages Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian Isaaq Tomkins 2026-05-28T17:01:53Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/25/hmrc-inheritance-tax-iht-rebate-refund-delay-late <p>The tax office is quick to demand money owed and threatens fines, but is slow when giving refunds</p><p><strong>When my mother died, there was&nbsp;a four-year delay in achieving probate </strong><strong>owing to financial complexities</strong><strong>. During this time my father paid inheritance tax (IHT) on the advice of his solicitor, to prevent interest accruing.</strong></p><p><strong>It turned out that the solicitor’s estimate of the amount was wildly out.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/25/hmrc-inheritance-tax-iht-rebate-refund-delay-late">Continue reading...</a> Money Consumer affairs Consumer rights HMRC Tax Inheritance tax National insurance Politics UK news Mon, 25 May 2026 06:00:17 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/25/hmrc-inheritance-tax-iht-rebate-refund-delay-late Photograph: Ascannio/Alamy Photograph: Ascannio/Alamy Photograph: Ascannio/Alamy Anna Tims 2026-05-25T06:00:17Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/18/ba-no-show-clause-flights-british-airways <p>We cut out one leg of our journey, but a clause allows airlines to cancel a whole journey if a passenger misses just one leg</p><p><strong>To celebrate my 60th birthday, we used an inheritance to book flights from Glasgow to Mexico City via Heathrow, where our son was to join us.</strong></p><p><strong>We worried that the transfer time of 90 minutes at Heathrow would be tight, given that there had been storms that week, so in the end, my husband, daughter and I instead took a train from Glasgow the night before.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/18/ba-no-show-clause-flights-british-airways">Continue reading...</a> Money Consumer affairs Consumer rights Travel British Airways Airline industry Travel & leisure Business Mon, 18 May 2026 06:00:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/18/ba-no-show-clause-flights-british-airways Photograph: Simon Dawson/Reuters Photograph: Simon Dawson/Reuters Photograph: Simon Dawson/Reuters Anna Tims 2026-05-18T06:00:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/12/royal-caribbean-booking-disabled-son-cruise <p>We had booked a cruise for him and his carers, but we had a string of problems when we tried to change names</p><p><strong>In November 2024, I booked a cruise for my wife, myself and our severely disabled son </strong><strong>for this July. I’d booked well in advance to ensure an accessible cabin for my son. </strong><strong>At home, he needs </strong><strong>round-the-clock care from a rota of eight carers, so we </strong><strong>made </strong><strong>extra </strong><strong>bookings for </strong><strong>three to accompany him.</strong></p><p><strong>Because the care team has other commitments, I couldn’t confirm their names at the time of booking and was told to do so by this April, when the balance had to be paid.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/12/royal-caribbean-booking-disabled-son-cruise">Continue reading...</a> Money Consumer affairs Consumer rights Disability Travel Cruises UK news US news Tue, 12 May 2026 06:00:16 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/12/royal-caribbean-booking-disabled-son-cruise Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Anna Tims 2026-05-12T06:00:16Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/11/fined-500-cigarette-butt-refuse-sack-haringey-council-penalty <p>Haringey council’s penalty seems extortionate – especially when other authorities charge lower amounts</p><p><strong>I read your <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/20/my-son-was-fined-500-just-for-dropping-a-cigarette-butt">story about a man fined £500</a> for dropping a cigarette butt on the pavement.</strong></p><p><strong>I have been issued with a £500 fixed-penalty notice (FPN) by Haringey council for putting a butt in a refuse sack awaiting collection on the street.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/11/fined-500-cigarette-butt-refuse-sack-haringey-council-penalty">Continue reading...</a> Money Consumer affairs Consumer rights Smoking Society London UK news Mon, 11 May 2026 06:00:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/11/fined-500-cigarette-butt-refuse-sack-haringey-council-penalty Photograph: Radharc Images/Alamy Photograph: Radharc Images/Alamy Photograph: Radharc Images/Alamy Anna Tims 2026-05-11T06:00:48Z 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/money/2026/may/10/pension-scams-inheritance-tax-loopholes-iht-rules-savings <p>Criminals exploit confusion or anxiety over new IHT rules by offering a ‘safe haven’ for savings pots</p><p>The caller pitches a great deal. Shift the moneysaved in your pension and reinvest it in a scheme overseas where you can avoid it being caught under <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/mar/22/what-new-uk-rules-on-pension-inheritance-may-mean-for-you">next year’s changes to the UK’s inheritance tax (IHT) system</a>.</p><p>From April next year, any money left in a defined contribution pension after your death, which is most workplace and all private pensions, will be pulled into the IHT net.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/10/pension-scams-inheritance-tax-loopholes-iht-rules-savings">Continue reading...</a> Scams Consumer affairs Money Pensions industry Pensions Insurance industry Business UK news Mon, 11 May 2026 09:17:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/10/pension-scams-inheritance-tax-loopholes-iht-rules-savings Photograph: Moon Safari/Alamy Photograph: Moon Safari/Alamy Photograph: Moon Safari/Alamy Shane Hickey 2026-05-11T09:17:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/03/ai-claude-chatbot-gift-card-subcription-scam-mystery-payments <p>After subscribing to the Claude chatbot, mystery payments started to appear on one family’s credit card bill. They are not alone</p><p>David Duggan* was so impressed with the ability of the Claude chatbot to answer medical questions and organise family life, that a $20-a-month (£15) subscription seemed like money well spent.</p><p>But then his wife spotted two $200 payments on his credit card bill for gift cards to use the artificial intelligence tool.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/03/ai-claude-chatbot-gift-card-subcription-scam-mystery-payments">Continue reading...</a> Scams Consumer affairs Money AI (artificial intelligence) Computing Technology UK news Crime Sun, 03 May 2026 06:00:46 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/03/ai-claude-chatbot-gift-card-subcription-scam-mystery-payments Photograph: Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images Photograph: Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images Photograph: Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images Shane Hickey 2026-05-03T06:00:46Z https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/may/28/studio-display-xdr-review-apple-pro-display-mac-monitor <p>Crisp 27in 5K Mac monitor is packed with features and some of the best HDR performance you can get for work or play</p><p>Apple’s new 27in Studio Display XDR is its best monitor yet, with an exceptionally bright and gorgeous 5K screen that wants to be the pro display for Mac-wielding content creators everywhere, with a price tag to match.</p><p>Built to be paired with the latest or high-end Macs, the Studio Display XDR costs from £2,599 (€3,099/$2,899/A$4,799), although it is a cool £3,000 if you want it with a stand. It sits above the standard £1,499 Studio Display and is £2,000 cheaper than the 2019 Apple Pro Display XDR it replaces.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/may/28/studio-display-xdr-review-apple-pro-display-mac-monitor">Continue reading...</a> Apple Computing Gadgets Technology Thu, 28 May 2026 06:00:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/may/28/studio-display-xdr-review-apple-pro-display-mac-monitor Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian Samuel Gibbs Consumer technology editor 2026-05-28T06:00:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/jun/17/best-fans-uk <p>As temperatures soar across the UK, chill your space – and avoid energy-guzzling aircon – with our pick of the best fans, from tower to desk to bladeless</p><p><strong>• </strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/aug/12/best-portable-neck-handheld-fans-uk"><strong>The best portable neck and handheld fans</strong></a></p><p>Our world is getting <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/20/uk-built-for-climate-that-no-longer-exists-and-needs-urgent-changes-to-survive-global-heating-report-warns">hotter</a>. Summer heatwaves are so frequent, they’re stretching the bounds of what we think of as summer. Hot-and-bothered home working and sweaty, sleepless nights are now alarmingly common.</p><p>Get a good fan and you can dodge the temptation of air conditioning. Aircon is incredibly effective, but it uses a lot of electricity … and burning fossil fuels is how we got into this mess in the first place. Save money and carbon by opting for a great fan instead.</p><p><strong>Best quiet fan for the bedroom and best overall:<br></strong>AirCraft Lume</p><p><strong>Best fan for cooling:<br></strong>Dreo TurboCool misting fan 765S</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/jun/17/best-fans-uk">Continue reading...</a> Summer Life and style Interiors Gadgets Technology Wed, 27 May 2026 14:33:33 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/jun/17/best-fans-uk Composite: PR Image Composite: PR Image Composite: PR Image Caramel Quin 2026-05-27T14:33:33Z https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/may/27/backrooms-review-kane-parsons-icily-disturbing-horror-rewrites-the-genre-rulebook <p>Debut from 20-year-old director examines memory, reality and fear after Chiwetel Ejiofor accesses an infinite series of hidden rooms that all feel creepily askew</p><p>All the lonely people … where do they all belong? YouTuber Kane Parsons makes his feature directing debut with this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/may/15/are-you-sitting-uncomfortably-how-backrooms-upended-the-horror-movie">icily brilliant and genuinely disturbing conceptual horror film based on his web series</a>, and scripted by Will Soodik. There is something here of J-horror, the V/H/S found footage franchise, Dan Erickson’s Severance and Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal. It’s about people walled up in their own memories, imprisoned in endlessly remembered scenes from their past, or miserably perceived versions of their present existences in which they have become caricatures of themselves, gargoyle stars of their paralysed inner world of failure. Or perhaps the action of the film is not metaphorical in this or any other sense, and the “backrooms” of the title simply exist.</p><p>Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve give barnstormingly good performances as Clark and Mary; it is the early 90s and Clark is a failed architect, separated from his wife, and an alcoholic who to make ends meet self-hatingly manages a drearily and eerily vast discount furniture store, called Cap’n Clark’s Ottoman Empire. He does dumb TV ads dressed as a pirate while uneasily aware he should be a sultan to make the “Ottoman empire” pun work. He goes to see a therapist, Mary, a sad, gentle person who markets her own self-help audio tapes and is haunted by childhood memories of her abusive mother.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/may/27/backrooms-review-kane-parsons-icily-disturbing-horror-rewrites-the-genre-rulebook">Continue reading...</a> Film Horror films YouTube Chiwetel Ejiofor Renate Reinsve Culture Technology Wed, 27 May 2026 11:14:44 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/may/27/backrooms-review-kane-parsons-icily-disturbing-horror-rewrites-the-genre-rulebook Photograph: A24/AP Photograph: A24/AP Photograph: A24/AP Peter Bradshaw 2026-05-27T11:14:44Z https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/may/27/what-we-ask-google-by-simon-rogers-review-the-secrets-of-our-search-history <p>The company’s data editor trawls through billions of queries to deliver a portrait of the world’s preoccupations</p><p>As anyone who has procreated this century knows, childrearing involves daily rounds of online searching. The most common parenting-related queries feature in What We Ask Google, a valiant attempt by the search giant’s data editor Simon Rogers to create a “surprisingly hopeful picture of humankind” (that’s the subtitle) from searches performed over the past two decades. “Why do babies get hiccups?” we ask. “When do babies teethe?” “Why do toddlers bite?” “How do you know if your child has ADHD?” “How to tell kids about divorce?”</p><p>Since 2006, engineers have used Google Trends to make sense of common (and anonymised) queries like these, going back as far as 2004, when phones were dumb and less than half of UK households had internet access. Rogers, a British former Guardian journalist based in California, views the results as a kind of social mirror.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/may/27/what-we-ask-google-by-simon-rogers-review-the-secrets-of-our-search-history">Continue reading...</a> Books Internet Society books Culture Technology Wed, 27 May 2026 08:00:22 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/may/27/what-we-ask-google-by-simon-rogers-review-the-secrets-of-our-search-history Photograph: Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images Simon Usborne 2026-05-27T08:00:22Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2026/may/30/best-supermarket-veggie-burgers-tasted-rated <p>Our resident food product tester gives supermarket veggie burgers a good grilling to find out which made him flip and which couldn’t take the heat</p><p><strong>• </strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/nov/01/best-worst-meat-free-vegetarian-sausages-tasted-rated"><strong>The best (and worst) meat-free sausages, tasted and rated</strong></a></p><p>This was an interesting and varied test, with a range of burgers from classic, 1960s-style bean patties to ultra-processed meat analogues. Even though the latter have become far more convincing of late, I find it hard to trust the more processed examples, because they’re made with a blend of dozens of ingredients and synthetic additives designed to deceive the palate, rather than offer genuine flavour.</p><p>As a result, I’ve marked down patties based on their processing levels and synthetic additives, though I do understand their value and purpose. Ultimately, the lesser-processed burgers stood out, not least for their incredible value: flavour-packed and textural, with a good bite and ingredients lists bursting with nutrition.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2026/may/30/best-supermarket-veggie-burgers-tasted-rated">Continue reading...</a> Vegetarian food and drink Life and style Food Burgers Barbecue Sat, 30 May 2026 12:00:19 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2026/may/30/best-supermarket-veggie-burgers-tasted-rated Photograph: Robert Billington/The Guardian Photograph: Robert Billington/The Guardian Photograph: Robert Billington/The Guardian Tom Hunt 2026-05-30T12:00:19Z 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 https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/may/22/homes-for-sale-in-england-with-great-gardens-for-parties-in-pictures <p>From a farmhouse with a wildflower meadow to an award-winning London flat with a neat garden for al fresco dining</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/may/22/homes-for-sale-in-england-with-great-gardens-for-parties-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Money Property Gardens Life and style UK news Fri, 22 May 2026 06:00:51 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/may/22/homes-for-sale-in-england-with-great-gardens-for-parties-in-pictures Photograph: Inigo Photograph: Inigo Photograph: Inigo Anna White 2026-05-22T06:00:51Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/may/15/art-deco-modernist-flats-england-scotland-for-sale-in-pictures <p>From a converted art deco hotel in Glasgow to a brutalist apartment in London’s Barbican </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/may/15/art-deco-modernist-flats-england-scotland-for-sale-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Property Money Architecture Culture UK news England Scotland Modernism Art and design Fri, 15 May 2026 06:00:28 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/may/15/art-deco-modernist-flats-england-scotland-for-sale-in-pictures Photograph: Stow Brothers Photograph: Stow Brothers Photograph: Stow Brothers Anna White 2026-05-15T06:00:28Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/may/01/grade-ii-listed-homes-in-england-for-sale <p>From a quintessential ‘chocolate box’ cottage to part of a grand stately home</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/may/01/grade-ii-listed-homes-in-england-for-sale">Continue reading...</a> Property Money UK news England Fri, 01 May 2026 06:00:38 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/may/01/grade-ii-listed-homes-in-england-for-sale Photograph: Finest Properties Photograph: Finest Properties Photograph: Finest Properties Anna White 2026-05-01T06:00:38Z