mc_squared Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Britain is the worst place to live in Europe (despite our big pay packets) By Laura Clark Last updated at 1:22 AM on 12th October 2009 Comments (0) Add to My Stories Britain is the worst place in Europe to live despite offering the biggest salaries, a study reveals today. High incomes in the UK are cancelled out by long working hours, poor annual leave, rising food and fuel bills and a lack of sunshine. Researchers weighed up official data for ten countries, including France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Poland. Tough life: High incomes in the UK are cancelled out by the poor weather and long working hours It found Britons enjoy the highest aftertax household income of £35,730-a-year, more than £10,000 above the European average. But most of it goes on keeping a 'roof over our heads, food on the table and our homes warm', according to the uswitch.com European Quality of Life Index. After comparing 17 quality of life measures, the study ranked Britain at the bottom-with Ireland second from last. The best quality of life can be found in France and Spain. Britons can expect to work three years longer - retiring at 62 years and 6 months - than the French, and die two years younger at 78.9. Workers here get the least annual leave in Europe, with 28 days a year, compared with 41 in Spain. We also have to contend with a higher cost of living, paying more for fuel, food and transport. British drivers pay the most for diesel --while only one other country has more expensive unleaded petrol. Essential weekly groceries that cost £134.48 in the UK would be £124 on average in Europe --and £118.76 in France. Annual household energy comes in at £1,239, with Britons paying the third-highest electricity rates. Ann Robinson of uSwitch.com, said: 'There is more to good living than money - and this report shows why so many Brits are giving up on the UK and heading to France and Spain. 'We earn substantially more than our European neighbours, but this level of income is needed just to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table and our homes warm. 'The recession could prove to be a turning point, forcing us to re-evaluate our way of life, get back to basics and to the things that really count. 'Consumers are already beginning to do this - the Government and its policymakers would do well to follow suit.' Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1219743/Britain-worst-place-live-Europe-despite-big-pay-packets.html#ixzz0TgatiQI3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICK8 Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 No surprises there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berrywoman Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffire Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 The government sucks and the weather sucks. And your culture is slowly going down the tubes. Britain is in dire need of a makeover, and I think legalizing guns and freedom would do it. What's good about Britain? Pubs, music, old shit, architecture, foxhunting, Jeremy Clarkson... someone help me expand this list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matter-Eater Lad Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 I would love to live in Britain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc_squared Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 I would love to live in Britain. What makes you think Britain would let you?:lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc_squared Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 The government sucks and the weather sucks. And your culture is slowly going down the tubes. Britain is in dire need of a makeover, and I think legalizing guns and freedom would do it. What's good about Britain? Pubs, music, old shit, architecture, foxhunting, Jeremy Clarkson... someone help me expand this list. What's bad about Britain: Gordon Brown, congested roads, chavs, ladettes, Jordan, Jeremy Vile, political correctness, heavy-handed policing, obesity, binge-drinking, violent disorder, Milton Keynes, public transport........................................ :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matter-Eater Lad Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 What makes you think Britain would let you?:lol: When they send you to Antarctica there will be room for me. No other nation will take you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petit Prince Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Britain is in dire need of a makeover, and I think legalizing guns and freedom would do it. Sounds like a very bad idea What's bad about Britain: Gordon Brown, congested roads, chavs, ladettes, Jordan, Jeremy Vile, political correctness, heavy-handed policing, obesity, binge-drinking, violent disorder, Milton Keynes, public transport........................................ :rolleyes: Why Milton Keynes? Public transport is a nightmare, I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc_squared Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 Why Milton Keynes? Seriously??:dozey: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petit Prince Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 I wouldn't know that's why I'm asking. Someone who is from that part of England actually advised us to stay there when we went to Silverstone. We ended up not staying there because we couldn't find anywhere reasonably cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc_squared Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 I wouldn't know that's why I'm asking. Someone who is from that part of England actually advised us to stay there when we went to Silverstone. We ended up not staying there because we couldn't find anything reasonably cheap. It's meant to be one of the dullest places in Britain, with all the streets and houses looking identical.:rolleyes: Can't get more dull than Hull Boring as Hull ... the Humber Bridge HULL is the dullest place to live in Britain, according to a new survey. The East Yorks city, where ex-Deputy PM John Prescott is an MP, scored 17 per cent of the vote. The second drabbest town was Milton Keynes, Bucks, with 11 per cent, then Birmingham on nine per cent. The research, for B&Q's Brighten Up Britain bid, also found London's Barbican Centre was the building Brits thought most in need of a makeover. Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1758637.ece#ixzz0TqXiltAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petit Prince Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 It's meant to be one of the dullest places in Britain, with all the streets and houses looking identical.:rolleyes: Ok! Have you ever been there then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Rose Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Excuse me but: Researchers weighed up official data for ten countries So Britain came last in a survey of 10 countries, in which it doesn't say which other 9 countries were in the poll, and the last time I checked Europe had more than 10 countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc_squared Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 Ok! Have you ever been there then? No, and neither do I plan to!!:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petit Prince Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 No, and neither do I plan to!!:P Why say it's dull then? You might love it if you actually went there, you never know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc_squared Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 Why say it's dull then? You might love it if you actually went there, you never know. From what I've heard, I very much doubt it!:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iPsy Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Well, Scarborough is the most enterprising place in Europe 2009! :smug: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc_squared Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 Well, Scarborough is the most enterprising place in Europe 2009! :smug: Who says?:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iPsy Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 http://www.realbusiness.co.uk/search_tags/5631296/where-is-the-most-enterprising-place-in-europe.thtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Rose Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 A survey asked down the pub with 5 drunken people, with the question: Do you want free beer and is Scarborough is the most enterprising place in Europe? Yes No Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iPsy Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 :lol: Scarborough is a hidden gem! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc_squared Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 :lol: Scarborough is a hidden gem! :) So well hidden, in fact, nobody can actually find it!!:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iPsy Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 It's also one of the most popular seaside resorts! :smug:, I actually don't live in Scarborough anymore ( I did for 13 years!), I live in a village very near, but my school is in Scarborough and I am always in Scarborough, so still consider myself a resident of Scarborough! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc_squared Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 And you're sponsored by the Scarborough Tourist Office!:P It's also one of the most popular seaside resorts! :smug:, I actually don't live in Scarborough anymore ( I did for 13 years!), I live in a village very near, but my school is in Scarborough and I am always in Scarborough, so still consider myself a resident of Scarborough! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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