United KingdomOwnership & classification
Founded: 1821
Ownership
The Guardian (founded in Manchester in 1821 as The Manchester Guardian) is published by Guardian News & Media, part of Guardian Media Group, which is wholly owned by The Scott Trust Limited. The Scott Trust's defining objective is to safeguard the editorial and financial independence of The Guardian in perpetuity, free of party affiliation. No individual proprietor, family or outside investor holds control; the trust board appoints but does not direct the editor-in-chief.
Funding
Funding comes from advertising, reader subscriptions, memberships and voluntary contributions, supplemented by income from the Scott Trust Endowment Fund (around £1 billion) that cushions operating losses. The Guardian deliberately keeps its journalism outside a hard paywall and leans heavily on direct reader support.
Affiliation & stance
Editorially center-left and liberal, with longstanding sympathies for Labour and progressive causes, but with no party or government ownership. It is classified INDEPENDENT because its unique trust ownership is purpose-built to prevent any party, state or proprietor from controlling its journalism.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Left
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 427
79/100
Factual
73/100
Objective
549
Articles
530
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
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Donaldson's first night in prison as downfall shakes NI politics
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SpaceX pitches investors juicy yields in $25bn bond deal
Teacher murdered little Preston Davey after adopting him with his boyfriend - then moved to suburban £450,000 new build in attempt to reinvent themselves
Recent coverage
In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the
Severn Trent doubles CEO reward plan to £3.1m despite anger over water pay
Severn Trent, a major UK water company, has significantly increased the compensation package for its new CEO, James Jesic, to up to £3.1 million through a long-term incentive plan (LTIP), despite public outrage over high executive pay in the water industry. The company revised its LTIP from 200% of Jesic's base salary (£775,000) to 400%, potentially allowing him to earn £4.8 million annually, including salary, bonuses, benefits, and pension contributions. This follows criticism of previous executives, like Liv Garfield, who were barred from receiving bonuses due to environmental violations. Severn Trent removed environmental performance metrics from bonus calculations and argued that regulatory penalties, such as those imposed by Ofwat, hindered the sector's ability to attract top talent. Critics argue that such high pay packages are unjustifiable given the company's history of sewage spills.
Rayner’s pitch to return under Burnham cabinet – and the role she’s tipped for
Angela Rayner, former deputy prime minister and housing secretary, has expressed interest in returning to her previous role under a potential Andy Burnham-led Labour government. In a speech at the London School of Economics, Rayner advocated for significant local governance reforms, echoing Burnham's 'devolution' agenda, which aims to transfer power and resources to local authorities. Her remarks closely mirrored those made by Burnham during a recent speech in Manchester, suggesting a strategic alignment between the two figures. This development occurs as Burnham positions himself as the likely successor to Sir Keir Starmer and finalizes his cabinet lineup. Rayner's position within Burnham's administration remains uncertain, with some reports indicating she may be sidelined while others suggest she is providing advisory support on devolution strategies. Despite not being part of Burnham's inner circle, Rayner is anticipated to hold a cabinet position. Her past resignation as deputy prime minister followed an admission of underpayment of stamp duty on a second home, though she was later cleared by HMRC.
Cornwall van dwellers face homelessness amid council crackdown
Residents of Cornwall who live in caravans and horseboxes on farms are facing potential homelessness due to a strict enforcement campaign by the Cornwall Council regarding planning regulations. The council ranks among the top five in England for issuing planning violations, with half of these notices targeting caravans on agricultural land. Dawn, a 59-year-old woman who has lived in a horsebox for three years, expressed distress over being forced to relocate after the council identified her caravan through aerial photography. Cornwall's reliance on tourism has led to a surge in short-term rental properties like Airbnb, making long-term housing unaffordable for locals. With thousands on the social housing waiting list, many have turned to living in vehicles. At Potters Farm, landowner Sue Nicholls faces eviction threats for hosting 35 individuals facing homelessness, despite claiming the council was aware of this arrangement for years.
Starmer holds talks with Burnham as he seeks 'orderly' transition
Sir Keir Starmer, the current UK Prime Minister, held discussions with Andy Burnham, the newly elected Makerfield MP and potential Labour leader, to facilitate an 'orderly' transition of power following Starmer's announcement that he will step down as prime minister. This marks the first meeting between the two since Burnham's recent by-election victory. Starmer has authorized access talks with civil servants for prospective Labour leadership candidates, allowing them to prepare for government roles. Burnham is currently the sole declared candidate for the Labour leadership, and if he remains unchallenged, he could assume the role of prime minister as early as 17 July. Potential cabinet appointments include Rachel Reeves, the current chancellor, who may receive a junior or mid-level position, though no official decisions have been confirmed. Other names being considered for key roles include Ed Miliband, Wes Streeting, John Healey, and Yvette Cooper. Additionally, former Labour minister James Purnell is expected to serve as Burnham’s chief of staff. The access talks, typically reserved for opposition leaders prior to elections, were initiated by Starmer to assist Burnham in forming
‘I was fighting for my life’: Woman could not breathe during alleged rape by man accused of double murder, jury told
A woman testified in court that she was physically restrained and sexually assaulted by Simon Levy, a man on trial for the murders of two other women. During a police interview played to jurors, she described being pinned to the ground, having her mouth covered, and being unable to breathe while fearing for her life. Levy, 40, denies the allegations of rape, assault, and smothering the woman in a B&M car park in Tottenham in January 2025. He is also accused of murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo in March 2025 and Sheryl Wilkins in August 2025, both of whom were found in the same car park. The woman recounted being approached by Levy while engaging in sex work, and after agreeing to meet him, she was attacked and sustained injuries including a broken collarbone. She identified Levy in an identity parade. Prosecutors noted that Levy has prior convictions for sexual assault, including two in 2018 and 11 more recent counts.
Three men found not guilty of murdering journalist Lyra McKee
Three men from Derry were found not guilty of murdering journalist Lyra McKee in 2019 during riots in Derry. McKee, 29, was killed by a gunshot while observing the unrest. The New IRA claimed responsibility for the attack. During a lengthy trial in Belfast Crown Court, the men were cleared of murder charges, though prosecutors argued they were involved in a joint enterprise to assist the shooter. The defense criticized the prosecution's reliance on speculation, and the judge previously ruled there was enough evidence to proceed. McKee's family expressed deep disappointment, calling the outcome a failure of the justice system and demanding an end to the 'culture of silence' in Northern Ireland. The judge acknowledged the tragedy and regretted the lack of progress in identifying the killer.
Burnham’s No 10 North ‘will be based on brownfield site on edge of Manchester’
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and a potential future Prime Minister, has announced plans to establish 'No 10 North,' a northern center of government, in Ancoats, Manchester. This facility, currently under development on brownfield land, is intended to house around 8,800 government employees focused on digital work and is expected to be fully operational by 2032. Burnham aims to decentralize aspects of governance from Westminster, splitting his time between London and Greater Manchester. While the site is not expected to be ready until 2028, Burnham's team is seeking an interim office in Manchester. The proposal has received support from various politicians and business leaders, including Henri Murison of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and Tracy Brabin, the mayor of West Yorkshire, who see the initiative as beneficial for regional development and economic growth.
Mahmood introduces radical reforms to asylum system including clampdown on modern slavery claims
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has proposed significant changes to the asylum system, aiming to restrict asylum seekers' ability to remain in the UK based on family ties and limit modern slavery claims. The reforms include tightening the interpretation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects private and family life, by limiting 'family' to immediate relatives like parents, spouses, or children under 18, with exceptions. Asylum seekers would be required to live with these family members if claiming they need to stay in the UK for that reason. Additionally, the legislation states that no weight should be given to private life or family connections built in the UK for those without legal status. The reforms also introduce a requirement for refugees to repay £10,000 to the Home Office once they begin working, mirroring a student loan model. Critics argue this could separate refugee families and increase uncertainty for vulnerable individuals. The bill also limits modern slavery support for those with criminal records and streamlines refugee status with humanitarian protection.
Andy Burnham: dodging scrutiny, or just a different type of communicator?
Andy Burnham, who is set to become Prime Minister shortly, faced criticism from opposition leader Kemi Badenoch for not taking questions after a recent speech in Manchester. Badenoch accused him of dodging scrutiny, while his allies argue he uses a different communication style compared to Keir Starmer, focusing on relatable, informal interactions through social media and direct engagement with voters. Burnham's media strategy includes unconventional methods such as Reddit AMAs and Instagram interactions, aiming to connect with the public in ways that differ from traditional political formats. While some critics find his approach lacking, supporters highlight his ability to engage directly with voters and maintain visibility during the summer break.
Andy Burnham says ‘nothing off table’ in case of Rochdale grooming gang leader
Andy Burnham, the incoming Labour Party leader, has stated that he will pursue 'all possible options' to address the legal barrier preventing the deportation of Shabir Ahmed, a former Rochdale grooming gang leader. Ahmed, who was convicted in 2012 for sexually abusing dozens of young girls, is set to be released from prison soon despite having been stripped of his British citizenship. The government explained that the Immigration Act 1971 prevents his deportation to Pakistan because he arrived in the UK before 1973 and lived there for over five years prior to the consideration of deportation. Burnham emphasized that victims must be prioritized and urged the Home and Foreign Secretaries to review all potential solutions. A victim's father has called for changes to the statute of limitations to allow Ahmed's removal, arguing that such individuals should be deported regardless of birthplace if they commit serious crimes. The case highlights ongoing concerns about justice for survivors of sexual abuse and the challenges of deporting non-nationals who have committed severe offenses.
Half of government should be female, Labour women tell Burnham
Female Labour MPs are urging Andy Burnham, the potential new leader of the UK Labour Party, to ensure a 50:50 gender balance in his government if he becomes prime minister. A draft letter from the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party (WPLP) highlights concerns about misogyny and a 'boy's club' culture within the party, arguing that Labour must lead by example in promoting gender equality. The letter calls for significant changes, including a female deputy prime minister, a dedicated role for women's issues, and strict measures against bullying and online abuse targeting women, especially those from ethnic minorities. The WPLP also criticizes past leaderships for sidelining women's voices and emphasizes the need for transparency in decision-making processes. While Burnham has expressed support for addressing these issues, there are concerns that male candidates may dominate key positions, such as chancellor and chief of staff.
Third UK heatwave increasingly likely as 30C temperatures forecast
An upcoming heatwave in the UK is being predicted, with temperatures potentially reaching 30°C in parts of the southeast by the weekend. The Met Office reports that June 2026 was the warmest June on record for England and the second warmest for the UK overall. A high-pressure system from the Azores is moving toward the Iberian Peninsula, contributing to rising temperatures. While the UK typically declares a heatwave when temperatures meet specific regional thresholds—such as three consecutive days of 28°C in London and the southeast—the current conditions suggest the heatwave might begin earlier than usual. The UK Health Security Agency has issued heat health alerts for several regions, cautioning about risks to vulnerable individuals. Although the air is expected to be less humid compared to previous heatwaves, the potential for discomfort remains. Northern areas are unlikely to experience heatwave-level temperatures soon due to the influence of Atlantic air and possible rainfall.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
England’s mayors should be given sweeping new powers, says devolution expert
Deaths linked to London air pollution have fallen 40%, study estimates
Jo Cox’s sister warns of UK’s ‘divisive rhetoric and dangerous language’ ten years after MP’s murder
Nigel Farage says Britain is a 'two-tier state against white people' and claims 'toxic ideology of diversity' has taken over Whitehall
Nearly 100 UK MPs and peers urge cancellation of Israeli settlement event
UK and allies impose sanctions on firms enabling West Bank settler violence
