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, 18 Apr 2026 11:39:43 GMT 2026-04-18T11:39:43Z 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/apr/18/maternity-pay-mortgage-struggle-self-employed <p>Buying a house or having a baby has turned into a financial nightmare for those who are their own boss</p><p>Harriett Thompson started her maternity leave at the beginning of 2025, but at the start of this month she still had not received any of the statutory pay she was entitled to.</p><p>The freelance makeup artist described what she says is a familiar experience for a lot of self-employed mothers. “Luckily [my partner] Alex started a long contract when our daughter was born, which has enabled us to get by … That’s coming to an end now, with no future work in sight, so I’m getting anxious about receiving the money,” she told us.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/18/maternity-pay-mortgage-struggle-self-employed">Continue reading...</a> Maternity & paternity rights Employee benefits Money HMRC Work & careers Consumer affairs UK news Consumer rights Benefits Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:00:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/18/maternity-pay-mortgage-struggle-self-employed Photograph: Westend61/Getty Images Photograph: Westend61/Getty Images Photograph: Westend61/Getty Images Laura Potter 2026-04-18T11:00:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/apr/18/what-to-do-if-flights-cancelled-holidays-disrupted-iran-war-eu-ees <p>Iran war and EU’s new entry-exit system could lead to travel misery this summer, but there are ways to mitigate it</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/apr/18/europe-summer-holiday-flight-cross-channel-travel-cancelled-flights-airport-eu-ees">Can Europe avoid a summer of travel chaos?</a></p></li></ul><p>The war in the Middle East has prompted fears that potential shortages of jet fuel could result in flight cancellations this summer and warnings that holidays could be severely disrupted.</p><p>Airports have said <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/10/european-airports-jet-fuel-shortages-flights-iran">jet fuel could run short within three weeks</a> as a result of supply problems after the strait of Hormuz was effectively closed when war broke out at the end of February.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/apr/18/what-to-do-if-flights-cancelled-holidays-disrupted-iran-war-eu-ees">Continue reading...</a> Flights Airline industry Business Travel Travel & leisure Consumer rights Money UK news European Union Europe Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:00:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/apr/18/what-to-do-if-flights-cancelled-holidays-disrupted-iran-war-eu-ees Photograph: Isabel Infantes/Reuters Photograph: Isabel Infantes/Reuters Photograph: Isabel Infantes/Reuters Shane Hickey and Gwyn Topham 2026-04-18T07:00:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/apr/18/the-plaza-prizes-winners-judges-writing-awards <p>The Plaza Prizes offered 10 awards in 2025 but some judges say they were not paid, while a number of winners hit back over AI accusations</p><p>A competition for new writers that promised a £20,000 prize fund appears to have shut down, leaving winners and judges, including a Booker prize-winning novelist, out of pocket.</p><p>Established in 2022, the Plaza Prizes last year offered 10 awards that were judged by the “finest poets and writers in the world”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/apr/18/the-plaza-prizes-winners-judges-writing-awards">Continue reading...</a> Awards and prizes Money UK news Poetry Books Culture Sat, 18 Apr 2026 06:00:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/apr/18/the-plaza-prizes-winners-judges-writing-awards Photograph: Robert Carner/Alamy Photograph: Robert Carner/Alamy Photograph: Robert Carner/Alamy Shane Hickey 2026-04-18T06:00:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/17/rachel-reeves-to-raise-windfall-tax-on-low-carbon-electricity-generators <p>Chancellor aims to curb rising household bills as she consults on reforms to weaken link between gas and electricity prices</p><p>Rachel Reeves is poised to raise the government’s windfall tax on low-carbon electricity generators to help limit UK household energy bills, the Guardian understands.</p><p>The chancellor is ready to hike the levy introduced in 2022 to target the excess profits made by the owners of older renewable energy and nuclear plants as electricity market prices soared after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/17/rachel-reeves-to-raise-windfall-tax-on-low-carbon-electricity-generators">Continue reading...</a> Energy industry Rachel Reeves Energy bills Household bills Gas Renewable energy UK news Business Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:48:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/17/rachel-reeves-to-raise-windfall-tax-on-low-carbon-electricity-generators Photograph: Kirsty O’Connor/Treasury Photograph: Kirsty O’Connor/Treasury Photograph: Kirsty O’Connor/Treasury Jillian Ambrose and Nils Pratley 2026-04-17T17:48:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/apr/17/why-do-vets-charge-more-to-scan-an-animal-than-a-private-hospital-would-to-scan-a-human <p>With prices at the vets soaring by more than 60% since 2016, tests such as MRI scans for dogs can exceed £3,500</p><p><strong>Why does my vet charge more than a private hospital for humans? I’ve been quoted £1,500 for an MRI scan for my dog. When I looked at how much it would cost for a </strong><strong>person to have the same type of scan privately, it was about £700.</strong></p><p>As technology improves, the treatments and diagnostics available for pets are getting closer to what is on offer for human patients. While we used to rely on a vet to assess what was going on inside an animal, they can now recommend hi-tech scans to see exactly what’s happening. But progress costs money.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/apr/17/why-do-vets-charge-more-to-scan-an-animal-than-a-private-hospital-would-to-scan-a-human">Continue reading...</a> Pets Life and style Veterinary medicine Animals Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:00:25 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/apr/17/why-do-vets-charge-more-to-scan-an-animal-than-a-private-hospital-would-to-scan-a-human Composite: Guardian Design; Posed by model; MoMo Productions/Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design; Posed by model; MoMo Productions/Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design; Posed by model; MoMo Productions/Getty Images Hilary Osborne 2026-04-17T09:00:25Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/16/private-rents-great-britain-stop-rising-cut-prices-rightmove <p>More landlords having to cut prices to secure tenants, Rightmove data shows</p><p>Average private rents have stopped rising in Great Britain after almost a decade of increases, as more landlords cut their prices to secure a tenant, data shows.</p><p>The typical advertised private rent outside London for properties coming on to the market remained flat at £1,370 a calendar month in the first three months of 2026, according to the property website Rightmove.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/16/private-rents-great-britain-stop-rising-cut-prices-rightmove">Continue reading...</a> Renting property Property Money UK news Housing Housing market Business Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/16/private-rents-great-britain-stop-rising-cut-prices-rightmove Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Rupert Jones 2026-04-16T05:00:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/15/buy-now-pay-later-credit-card-cheapest-borrow-score <p>There are many options, from cards to buy now, pay later. We find out the best – and the effect on your credit score</p><p>Until recently, if you wanted to buy something you couldn’t afford upfront, you reached for a credit card or took out a loan. Now, when you get to the checkout, you are likely to be faced with other options, including buy now, pay later (BNPL).</p><p>With so many ways to borrow, the true costs and complexities aren’t always clear. Which option will actually save you the most money in the long run? And how might each option affect your credit score? We spoke to financial experts to get some answers.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/15/buy-now-pay-later-credit-card-cheapest-borrow-score">Continue reading...</a> Borrowing & debt Buy now, pay later Business PayPal Money Shopping Consumer affairs Consumer rights UK news Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/15/buy-now-pay-later-credit-card-cheapest-borrow-score Photograph: Robert Evans/Alamy Photograph: Robert Evans/Alamy Photograph: Robert Evans/Alamy Sarah Marsh Consumer affairs correspondent 2026-04-15T06:00:00Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/15/aa-driving-schools-refund-learner-drivers-hidden-lessons-fees <p>UK motoring group fined £4.2m by CMA for not showing full price of lessons at time of booking</p><p>The AA has been fined £4.2m and ordered to make payments to more than 80,000 learner drivers for not showing the full price of lessons at the time of booking, an illegal practice known as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/07/supermarket-price-gouging-inquiry-woolworths-coles-strategies-drip-pricing-actu">“drip pricing”</a>.</p><p>The UK competition watchdog, which launched an investigation into the practices employed by the AA Driving School and BSM Driving School last year, said the AA-owned businesses must repay more than £760,000 as a result.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/15/aa-driving-schools-refund-learner-drivers-hidden-lessons-fees">Continue reading...</a> Competition and Markets Authority Consumer affairs Motoring Regulators Business Money UK news Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:59:37 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/15/aa-driving-schools-refund-learner-drivers-hidden-lessons-fees Photograph: Benjamin John/Alamy Photograph: Benjamin John/Alamy Photograph: Benjamin John/Alamy Mark Sweney 2026-04-15T06:59:37Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/15/eu-entry-exit-system-ees-delays-airports-border-checks <p>Airport body has asked for power to suspend EES checks requiring personal information and biometrics</p><p>Travellers going through some European airports are reportedly waiting up to three hours at border checks because of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/12/new-eu-new-border-system-ees-delays">the EU’s new entry-exit system (EES)</a>.</p><p>Passengers in airports in countries such as France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Greece are waiting several hours at border checks, the Airports Council International (ACI) body has said.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/15/eu-entry-exit-system-ees-delays-airports-border-checks">Continue reading...</a> European Union Flights Travel & leisure Airline industry Business UK news Europe Air transport Travel World news Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:46:53 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/15/eu-entry-exit-system-ees-delays-airports-border-checks Photograph: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Live News. Photograph: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Live News. Photograph: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Live News. Lauren Almeida 2026-04-15T15:46:53Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/14/british-gas-bill-flat-debt-collector-never-owned <p>Now I’m being threatened with debt collectors because I don’t have a tenancy agreement or a mortgage</p><p><strong>British Gas opened an account in my name for an address that I have never occupied, and sent me a £571 bill. </strong><strong>It </strong><strong>declined to open a complaint because I “refused” to provide a tenancy agreement or mortgage statement which, since I’ve long since paid off my mortgage, I don’t have. </strong><strong>It is now threatening me with a debt collection agency. </strong></p><p><strong>IW, </strong><em>Northampton</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/14/british-gas-bill-flat-debt-collector-never-owned">Continue reading...</a> Consumer affairs Money Energy bills Household bills Centrica Business UK news Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:00:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/14/british-gas-bill-flat-debt-collector-never-owned Photograph: Tommy (Louth)/Alamy Photograph: Tommy (Louth)/Alamy Photograph: Tommy (Louth)/Alamy Anna Tims 2026-04-14T06:00:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/13/ikea-solar-panels-soly-collapse-lost-3000 <p>Swedish retailer continued to advertise partnership with Soly and failed to offer me any advice</p><p><strong>I am one of </strong><strong>many left thousands of pounds out of pocket after signing up </strong><strong>for solar panels via Ikea’s website late last </strong><strong>year.</strong></p><p><strong>Ikea had partnered with the European installer Soly, and the fact the panels were being advertised </strong><strong>via such a well-known company gave us confidence.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/13/ikea-solar-panels-soly-collapse-lost-3000">Continue reading...</a> Consumer affairs Consumer rights Money Ikea Solar power Environment Energy Renewable energy Retail industry Business UK news Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:00:39 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/13/ikea-solar-panels-soly-collapse-lost-3000 Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA Anna Tims 2026-04-13T06:00:39Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/07/my-mother-has-been-overpaid-her-civil-service-pension-and-ordered-to-repay-it <p>Through no fault of their own, she faces repaying £100 a month until she is 93 or face legal action</p><p><strong>My 66-year-old mother has been told that she has been overpaid her civil service pension by £40,000 and must repay it, or face legal action. Once the tax she’s paid on the income is deducted, she owes £32,000.</strong></p><p><strong>Her monthly pension payments have now been cut, which means her annual income will fall from £19,700 to £12,000, and she was, additionally, ordered to repay £496 a month for five years. This was later reduced to £100 a month, and a charge was put on her house as security. She’s been told she will have paid everything she owes when she’s 93.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/07/my-mother-has-been-overpaid-her-civil-service-pension-and-ordered-to-repay-it">Continue reading...</a> Money Consumer affairs Consumer rights Pensions Pensions industry Business Civil service Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:00:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/07/my-mother-has-been-overpaid-her-civil-service-pension-and-ordered-to-repay-it Photograph: Halfpoint Images/Getty Images Photograph: Halfpoint Images/Getty Images Photograph: Halfpoint Images/Getty Images Anna Tims 2026-04-07T06:00:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/01/delayed-by-eu-entry-exit-system-then-travel-light <p>Only way to avoid missing a flight because of EES rules: squeeze everything into a cabin bag and skip luggage check-in</p><p><strong>Travellers to the EU risk missing their flights because bag drop-off times don’t allow for the long queues to get through a new security system.</strong></p><p><strong>My family of four missed our easyJet flight home from Málaga because, although we followed advice from the airport and arrived three hours before departure, the bag drop-off didn’t open until two hours before.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/01/delayed-by-eu-entry-exit-system-then-travel-light">Continue reading...</a> Consumer affairs Consumer rights Travel European Union Money Europe Travel & leisure Business Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:00:40 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/01/delayed-by-eu-entry-exit-system-then-travel-light Photograph: Avpics/Alamy Photograph: Avpics/Alamy Photograph: Avpics/Alamy Anna Tims 2026-04-01T06:00:40Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/12/apple-icloud-storage-scam-emails <p>Fraudsters send emails claiming storage is full or nearly full, then trick people into clicking on links that can expose bank and personal details</p><p>For a while you’ve been getting messages from Apple saying “your iCloud storage is full”. They say you have exceeded your storage plan, so documents are no longer being backed up, and photos you take aren’t being uploaded.</p><p>You have been resisting Apple’s efforts to get you to pay a minimum of 99p a month for more storage. But it seems that you can’t keep putting off the inevitable: you have received an email which says your iCloud account has been blockedand your photos and videos will be deleted very soon. To keep them you need to upgrade immediately, it says.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/12/apple-icloud-storage-scam-emails">Continue reading...</a> Scams Money Mobile phones iPhone Apple Computing Mobile phones Technology UK news US news World news Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:00:09 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/12/apple-icloud-storage-scam-emails Photograph: Koshiro K/Alamy Photograph: Koshiro K/Alamy Photograph: Koshiro K/Alamy Rupert Jones 2026-04-12T06:00:09Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/05/how-to-avoid-fraudsters-fake-collectibles <p>From high-end antiques to Dinky Toys and Star Wars, fraudsters have ways to make you believe it’s genuine. Here’s how to avoid being tricked</p><p>When Kayleigh Davies looked at the bottom of what was supposed to be a vase from the French luxury glass-maker Lalique, it was clear the piece was a fake.</p><p>Etched into the base was the word “Lalique”, but Davies, an experienced valuer of antiques, could see that something was amiss.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/05/how-to-avoid-fraudsters-fake-collectibles">Continue reading...</a> Money Collecting Life and style Consumer affairs Consumer rights eBay Sun, 05 Apr 2026 06:00:43 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/05/how-to-avoid-fraudsters-fake-collectibles Photograph: Christopher Nicholson/Alamy Photograph: Christopher Nicholson/Alamy Photograph: Christopher Nicholson/Alamy Shane Hickey 2026-04-05T06:00:43Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/29/how-to-spot-a-fake-vape-illegal-device <p>Examining the packaging is key to avoiding illegal and potentially harmful devices, as millions are seized each year</p><p>You buy a vape from a shop on the high street. Nothing looks unusual but after charging the unit and using it for a few days, you notice it is getting hotter and hotter.</p><p>The vape is a fake and one of the thousands on sale illegally in shops around the UK. By not installing a simple circuit to prevent overheating, the manufacturers have saved a couple of pence but risk it catching fire.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/29/how-to-spot-a-fake-vape-illegal-device">Continue reading...</a> Vaping Scams Consumer affairs Retail industry Smoking Society Money Health Business Sun, 29 Mar 2026 06:00:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/29/how-to-spot-a-fake-vape-illegal-device Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian Shane Hickey 2026-03-29T06:00:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/22/friendship-fraud-warnings-of-rise-in-scam-targeting-older-people <p>Fraudsters exploit isolation and search for human contact to often devastating effect. These are steps you can take to avoid them</p><p>As you have got older, retirement has left you with more time on your hands. Loneliness has set in. Luckily, you have found a friend through one of the online motoring groups you are in, and a close bond has blossomed over your common interest in cars.</p><p>But your new friend has found themselves short when it comes to paying for their university textbooks, and has asked you for £50. It’s not much, and you get on so well that you agree to pay via bank transfer.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/22/friendship-fraud-warnings-of-rise-in-scam-targeting-older-people">Continue reading...</a> Scams Older people Loneliness Consumer affairs Social media Money Society Sun, 22 Mar 2026 07:00:14 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/22/friendship-fraud-warnings-of-rise-in-scam-targeting-older-people Photograph: Guerilla/Alamy Photograph: Guerilla/Alamy Photograph: Guerilla/Alamy Shane Hickey 2026-03-22T07:00:14Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/18/side-hustles-paying-tax-uk-hmrc <p>Whether it’s buying and selling clothes online or some freelance work on the side, plan ahead for potential tax issues</p><p>Since the start of 2024, online platforms such as Vinted, eBay and Airbnb have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/jan/01/selling-goods-online-be-warned-hmrc-will-soon-know-about-it">required to share data with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)</a> for any users who sell more than 30 items a year or earn more than about £1,700 (the threshold is set at €2,000) a year. However, this does not necessarily mean that those users owe any additional income tax.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/18/side-hustles-paying-tax-uk-hmrc">Continue reading...</a> Income tax Money Tax HMRC UK news E-commerce Internet Politics Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:00:26 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/18/side-hustles-paying-tax-uk-hmrc Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Tom Duggins 2026-03-18T07:00:26Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/11/cheaper-commuting-best-ways-to-save-costs-travel-to-work <p>From railcards to route tweaks, here’s how to stop your daily train or car journey breaking the bank</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/07/new-affordable-commuter-hotspots-great-britain-season-ticket-house-prices">Revealed: new affordable commuter hotspots in Great Britain</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/mar/06/homes-for-sale-in-new-commuter-hotspots-in-england-in-pictures">Homes for sale in new commuter hotspots in England – in pictures</a></p></li></ul><p>For regular rail travellers, season tickets remain one of the biggest cost savers. A weekly, monthly or annual season ticket will work out much cheaper than paying daily fares, especially if you commute most days.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/11/cheaper-commuting-best-ways-to-save-costs-travel-to-work">Continue reading...</a> Saving money Travel Commuting Rail fares Money Motoring Rail transport Transport Consumer affairs Petrol prices UK news Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:00:12 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/11/cheaper-commuting-best-ways-to-save-costs-travel-to-work Illustration: Sophie Winder/The Guardian Illustration: Sophie Winder/The Guardian Illustration: Sophie Winder/The Guardian Emma Lunn 2026-03-11T07:00:12Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/25/buy-now-pay-later-use-debt-problems-bnpl <p>BNPL can be a fee-free way to manage cashflow for an essential purchase but keep track of the payment schedule</p><p>Buy now, pay later (BNPL) is a form of credit that lets you spread payments for everything from clothes, jewellery and white goods to concert tickets, hotel rooms and takeaway meals.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/25/buy-now-pay-later-use-debt-problems-bnpl">Continue reading...</a> Buy now, pay later Money Credit cards Borrowing & debt Shopping PayPal Consumer affairs Business Financial Conduct Authority Consumer rights Wed, 25 Feb 2026 07:00:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/25/buy-now-pay-later-use-debt-problems-bnpl Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Rupert Jones 2026-02-25T07:00:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/feb/18/cut-costs-running-a-marathon-shoes-gear-travel-race-fees <p>Spending on gear, travel and race fees can easily add up – here’s how to make getting to the start line affordable</p><p>Before you enter a race, it’s vital to think about whether you’re in shape to make it through the training. For a marathon, you’ll probably need to be a regular runner who has completed several 10ks or the half&nbsp;distance.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/feb/18/cut-costs-running-a-marathon-shoes-gear-travel-race-fees">Continue reading...</a> Running Marathon running Life and style Consumer affairs Money UK news Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:00:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/feb/18/cut-costs-running-a-marathon-shoes-gear-travel-race-fees Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian Dugald Baird 2026-02-18T07:00:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/apr/11/best-secateurs-bypass-uk <p>Our gardening expert puts 19 bypass secateurs to the test to find the best for comfort, sharpness and tackling tough stems</p><p><strong>• </strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/apr/18/best-pressure-washers-cleaners-uk"><strong>The best pressure washers, tested</strong></a></p><p>Secateurs are the single most valued tool in the gardener’s trug, an implement as personally prized as the bricklayer’s trowel. With time, their weight and shape wear familiarly into the hand, becoming a companionable tool for all garden tasks, from pruning woody shrubs and cutting back perennials to slicing twine and preparing cut flowers.</p><p>There are two main types of secateurs, bypass and anvil (see below for their differences explained), and I’ve focused on the former here. If well looked after (we’ve included care instructions at the end of this article), a quality pair can last decades; as a result, gardeners declare staunch loyalties to particular models.</p><p><strong>Best secateurs overall:</strong> <br> Burgon &amp; Ball bypass secateurs</p><p><strong>Best secateurs for tough stems:</strong> <br> Felco Model 2</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/apr/11/best-secateurs-bypass-uk">Continue reading...</a> Gardens Gardening advice Life and style Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:00:27 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/apr/11/best-secateurs-bypass-uk Composite: PR Image Composite: PR Image Composite: PR Image Matt Collins 2026-04-17T09:00:27Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/apr/17/homes-for-sale-in-england-near-marathon-routes-in-pictures <p>From running through open countryside in historic beauty spots to pounding the streets of London</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/apr/17/homes-for-sale-in-england-near-marathon-routes-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Property Money Marathon running Life and style UK news England Fri, 17 Apr 2026 06:00:25 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/apr/17/homes-for-sale-in-england-near-marathon-routes-in-pictures Photograph: Inigo Photograph: Inigo Photograph: Inigo Anna White 2026-04-17T06:00:25Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/apr/10/canalside-homes-for-sale-in-england-and-scotland-in-pictures <p>From a modernist townhouse in London to a historic farmhouse overlooking Bridgewater canal</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/apr/10/canalside-homes-for-sale-in-england-and-scotland-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Property Money UK news Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:00:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/apr/10/canalside-homes-for-sale-in-england-and-scotland-in-pictures Photograph: Jeremie Souteyrat/The Modern House Photograph: Jeremie Souteyrat/The Modern House Photograph: Jeremie Souteyrat/The Modern House Anna White 2026-04-10T06:00:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/apr/03/traditional-farmhouses-for-sale-in-england-in-pictures <p>From a 300-year old building in the heart of ‘cheddar cheese and cider’ country, to a newly renovated smallholding in an area of outstanding natural beauty</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/apr/03/traditional-farmhouses-for-sale-in-england-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Money Consumer affairs Farming Fri, 03 Apr 2026 06:00:45 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/apr/03/traditional-farmhouses-for-sale-in-england-in-pictures Photograph: Finest Properties Photograph: Finest Properties Photograph: Finest Properties Anna White 2026-04-03T06:00:45Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/mar/27/loft-style-apartments-for-sale-in-england-in-pictures <p>From a former wartime ‘shadow factory’ in London to converted country mansion in Yorkshire, homes with open living</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/mar/27/loft-style-apartments-for-sale-in-england-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Money Property Consumer affairs Real estate Business Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:00:08 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/gallery/2026/mar/27/loft-style-apartments-for-sale-in-england-in-pictures Photograph: The Modern House Photograph: The Modern House Photograph: The Modern House Anna White 2026-03-27T07:00:08Z