12 h. ago Record 14.4 million parking fines issued by private firms last year

The figure is up 13% from the previous year

Economics

13 h. ago Private firms issue record 14.4 million parking tickets in a year

Motoring groups said the analysis demonstrates the ‘urgent’ need for the Government to reintroduce a code of practice for the sector.

Economics

27 h. ago Pentagon provided $2.4tn to private arms firms to ‘fund war and weapons’, report finds

Exclusive: Most of defense department’s discretionary spending from 2020 to 2024 went to military contractorsA new study of defense department spending previewed exclusively to the Guardian shows that most of the Pentagon’s discretionary spending from 2020 to 2024 has gone to outside military contractors, providing a $2.4tn boon in public funds to private firms in what was described as a “continuing and massive transfer of wealth from taxpayers to fund war and weapons manufacturing”.The report from the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and Costs of War project at Brown University said that the Trump administration’s new Pentagon budget will push annual US military spending past the $1tn mark. Continue reading...

Economics

54 h. ago Drivers face fines and penalty points as motorway rule warning issued

Middle lane hogging is one of the most frustrating things that drivers see on our roads and police are attempting to crack down on the act with fixed penalties

Events

55 h. ago UK drivers issued fine warning over wearing flip flops behind the wheel

"It takes seconds to change and could save you a huge headache.”

Events

60 h. ago Driver parked outside school issued £100 fine after police looked in their truck window

The police have warned the public 'it won't work'

Economics

60 h. ago Wimbledon hit 12 players with fines as shamed Brit gets £9k punishment for abusing staff

The All England Club has issued fines to 12 players at The Championships since the fortnight began, with the heaviest penalty handed out to a British competitor

Events

63 h. ago Nearly a quarter of foster places in England provided by private equity

Experts raise alarm over ‘commodification’ of vulnerable children as independent fostering agencies make millions in profitExperts have raised alarm over the “commodification” of vulnerable foster children as analysis reveals almost a quarter of all foster places in England are now provided by private equity-backed companies making millions of pounds in profits.Analysis for the Guardian by thinktank Common Wealth found independent fostering agencies (IFAs) are making millions via public funding from councils to provide placements for foster children, while foster carers struggle to pay bills. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne bids farewell with Black Sabbath reunion

The rocker – who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 – plans to continue to record music but will not perform live again.

Politics

7 d. ago Scottish tourist hotspots see number of parking fines more than double in 5 years

Tourist hotspots had some of the highest numbers of parking fines issued.

Politics

7 d. ago Motorists slapped with nearly 40,000 private parking charges a day as DVLA sold record 14.4m driver details last year

A 13% increase in driver detail requests made by private parking firms in 2024-25 means an average of 27 charges are issued to motorists every minute.

Transport

8 d. ago The three roads that keep on catching drivers out as thousands of fines issued

Salford council made more than £1.1m last year from around 40,000 parking fines in total.

Transport

9 d. ago Martin Lewis issues call for 'critical' action on ISA 'fines'

The personal finance expert has been a long-time critic of the Lifetime ISA and said the report was 'something we've banged the drum about for years'

Politics

1 week ago An entire village in Dorset is facing eviction – proof that private money holds all the power in rural England | George Monbiot

This scandalous story gives lie to the claim that the biggest threat to country life comes from city dwellersPower hides by setting us against each other. This is never more true than in the countryside, where the impacts of an extreme concentration of ownership and control are blamed on those who have nothing to do with it. Rural people are endlessly instructed that they’re oppressed not by the lords of the land, but by vicious and ignorant townies – the “urban jackboot” as the Countryside Alliance used to call it – stamping on their traditions.Near Bridport in Dorset right now, an entire village is facing eviction, following the sale of the Bridehead Estate for about £30m. The official new owner, Bridehead Estate Ltd, is registered to the same address, with the same officers, as a company called Belport. The Telegraph reports that the estate “was bought by Belport, a private equity firm, on behalf of a wealthy client last autumn”, but no one knows who the client is. So far I’ve re...

Economics

1 week ago Labour faces backlash after asking MPs to attend summer parties with private firms

MPs invited to ‘relax in a private setting with senior party figures’ at sponsored events

Economics

1 week ago UK drivers issued warning as tens of thousands of motorists fined for common mistake

The RAC say the latest figures should "send alarm bells ringing in council offices"

Events

1 week ago Warning on ‘enormously high number’ of fines issued to drivers over yellow box rule

Drivers are prohibited from entering these marked areas unless their exit is clear, or they are waiting to turn right

Events

2 w. ago Member of RFK Jr’s new vaccine panel withdraws over conflict of interest

Dr Michael Ross was involved in multiple private healthcare firms and withdrew after a review of financial holdingsA member of the health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s newly overhauled federal vaccine advisory panel withdrew after a conflict of interest review, a spokesperson has told the Guardian.Dr Michael Ross, who was involved in multiple private healthcare companies, withdrew after review of his financial holdings. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Wealth managers gear up to put UK savings into private assets

Talks with private capital firms have focused on operational hurdles for retail customers

Economics

2 w. ago Tourists on Greek island issued '£68 fine' warning for doing simple task

British tourists flying over to one of the popular Greek island of Santorini this summer have been issued a stark driving rule, as experts reveal a simple mistake could leave you with a 'hefty fine'

Events