23 h. ago Italian ski pass price rises mean sport may become only for wealthy, watchdog warns

Price increases of as much as 40% will make sport exclusive privilege of the wealthy, says Assoutenti “Completely unjustified” prices rises for ski passes in Italy this winter mean the sport is at risk of becoming the exclusive privilege of the wealthy, the president of an Italian consumers’ association has warned.From the Alps and the Dolomites in the north to the slopes of the central Italian region of Abruzzo, prices are poised to rise by as much as 40% compared with 2021, according to a report compiled by the watchdog, Assoutenti. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago European human rights watchdog triggers row with Government over warnings

Michael O’Flaherty published letters raising concerns over the treatment of transgender people and policing protests in the UK.

Events

2 w. ago Supreme Court gender ruling risks leaving trans people in ‘intermediate zone’ and could breach ECHR, UK warned

A European human rights watchdog has warned Britain’s treatment of trans people could breach the ECHR

Events

2 w. ago Treatment of trans people in Britain could breach human rights law, warns ECHR watchdog

Michael O'Flaherty, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, has written to senior MPs to raise his concerns about trans rights in the UK.

Events

2 w. ago European watchdog warns over trans rights and policing of protests

Michael O’Flaherty warned of a tendency to see human rights of different groups as a ‘zero-sum game’.

Events

2 w. ago Thousands of homes need insulation fix after failures in flagship scheme – NAO

The spending watchdog warned that ‘clear failures’ in the ECO scheme led to poor-quality installations, health and safety risks and suspected fraud.

Events

2 w. ago Education cuts in prisons ultimately endanger the public, watchdog says

Charlie Taylor hits out at risk of real-terms spending cuts in prisons in England and Wales derailing work to break cycle of reoffendingCuts to education in prisons are derailing offenders’ work and training and ultimately endangering the public, the prisons watchdog has warned.Repeat offenders “cause mayhem” in their communities because of the failure of prisons to provide education, training and work that could help to break the cycle of offending, the chief inspector of prisons, Charlie Taylor, said. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Dogs name toys while elephants name each other. Animal language is more complex than we imagine | Helen Pilcher

If we really want to grasp what animals are ‘saying’, we need to understand their communication on their terms, not oursAnother day, another cute story about how dogs can grasp elements of human language and use them to communicate with us.First, there was Mr Waffles, the Yorkshire terrier that“talks” to his owners by pressing electronic buttons that have been pre-programmed with words and phrases. In one of his videos, viewed more than half a million times, the pint-sized pooch stares defiantly at the camera and responds to an empty packet of treats by pressing the “I don’t give a damn” button. Followed by the “bitch” button. Bad dog, Mr Waffles.Helen Pilcher is a science writer and the author of Bring Back the King: The New Science of De-Extinction. To support the Guardian, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Shoppers are being charged up to TWICE as much by using delivery apps such as Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo for groceries compared to in

Shoppers using delivery apps to buy supermarket groceries are being charged up to twice as much compared to the price in stores, a consumer watchdog has warned.

Politics

2 w. ago Delivery apps such as Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo charge up to twice the amount for supermarket groceries compared to in

Shoppers using delivery apps to buy supermarket groceries are being charged up to twice as much compared to the price in stores, a consumer watchdog has warned.

Politics

2 w. ago Seamus Heaney’s unpublished poems to be released — read one exclusively here

The Poems of Seamus Heaney, out on Thursday, will feature all 12 of the revered Irish author’s collections alongside uncollected works and 25 poems yet to be publishedA trove of unpublished poems by the late Irish poet Seamus Heaney is set to be printed alongside his collected and uncollected poems, published together for the first time.The Poems of Seamus Heaney will feature his 12 collections interspersed with poems published in magazines, journals and newspapers, plus 25 poems selected from Heaney’s large number of unpublished works.Chair, Pocket Knife, Guitar is an unpublished poem by Seamus Heaney extracted from The Poems of Seamus Heaney, edited by Rosie Lavan and Bernard O’Donoghue with Matthew Hollis, to be published by Faber & Faber on 9 October 2025 (£40). To support the Guardian order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Delivery apps charging as much as twice as much on supermarket groceries, consumer watchdog warns

An investigation found some items were double the price when ordered through delivery apps compared to on supermarket shelves

Events

3 w. ago Supermarket groceries could cost twice as much through delivery apps, consumer watchdog warns

An investigation found some items were double the price when ordered through delivery apps compared to on supermarket shelves

Events

3 w. ago Morrisons: More Card loyalty offer launched by UK supermarket that could cut your groceries shopping bill

Shoppers are being handed a shortcut to rewards with a simple way to turn everyday spending into extra savings 💳

Economics

4 w. ago Reeves will struggle to sell growth case to fiscal watchdog, economists warn

Chancellor wants the OBR to give her credit for trade deals and proposed EU mobility scheme

Events

4 w. ago Rachel Reeves on a collision course with Britain's economic watchdog as Chancellor 'mulls scrapping a spring forecast'

The Chancellor is said to be considering getting rid of the economic and fiscal outlook published by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) each March.

Economics