UK has 'worst quality of life in Europe'

Aberdeenangarse

The UK has been named the worst place to live in Europe for quality of life, behind countries with damaged economies such as Ireland and Italy, according to the latest uSwitch quality of life index.

The UK emerged as having the second lowest hours of sunshine a year, the fourth highest retirement age, and the third lowest spend on health as a percentage of GDP.

Despite above average household income – the fourth highest in Europe – Britons have 5.5 fewer days holiday a year than the European average and endure a below average government spend on education.

UK households also struggle with a high cost of living, with food and diesel prices the highest in Europe, and unleaded petrol, alcohol and cigarettes all costing more than the European average.

As a result, more than one in 10 Britons (12%) said they are "seriously considering" emigrating, with "broken society" the biggest concern for 59% of those questioned, followed by the cost of living (49%), and crime and violence (47%). Just 5% of those questioned are happy in the UK.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/sep/29/uk-worst-quality-of-life-europe

It's the 'sunshine' thing which !!!!!!s me

ruggedtoast

Every country has its problems. A lot of countries would trade places with the UK in a heartbeat.

Nevertheless its not, on the whole an easy place to live psychologically.

One problem which has been endemic here for a long time is the class issue, which is the elephant in the room that never gets addressed. It informs everything from patronising and conflicting treatment of the working classes, to bafflingly confused policies on drugs, alcohol, anti social behaviour, crime , punishment, health and immigration.

All this ultimately just leads to mistrust, resentment, and a fractured and divided nation.

In addition, education is rather poor here, if you're working class. Which doesnt help any.

Pimperne1

What a complete load of bollocs. We live in a beautiful country with a very civilised population. Where we have problems tend to be where we have imported them from other countries. This type of report reminds me of the Eurovision Song Contest - United Kingdom Nil Pois.

Conrad

In the last 6 months we are apparantly

The fattest in Europe
Have worst education
Most crime
Highest prison population
Least happiness
Worst social mobility
Biggest wealth gap
Worst cancer outcomes


It's a wonder all these foreigners keep on comming

Davesnave

Pimperne1 wrote: »

United Kingdom Nil Pois.

W h a a t ??? No peas! Now that's serious!!! :eek::eek::eek:

Pimperne1

Davesnave wrote: »

W h a a t ??? No peas! Now that's serious!!! :eek::eek::eek:

Yeah, I learned that from another forum member. Might refresh that thread (Eh, Geneer?!)

Really2

We still have our own currency which we can control to an extent.

Less sun, so what! the more sunshine seems to have a direct impact on countries at the moment, look at spain, Greece and Italy.

Europe needs to get use to the idea, we don't care about the measures of how good things are.

They need to stop wasting money on surveys and sort their selves out.

atush

I am from the US so don't give a flying fig about 'class'. There is an underclass, but it was caused by the last 50 years of welfare, not because of anyone looking down on them per say.

The real problem in the UK is the weather, and the long working hours.

dunstonh

Every country has its problems. A lot of countries would trade places with the UK in a heartbeat.

How many people would have dreamed about moving to Greece in their retirement thinking about their quality of life in the past but now have a different view.

The real problem in the UK is the weather, and the long working hours.

I would say that blame culture, lack of respect and responsibility are higher up the list than that.

I have just got back from a lunch in Southwold. If its sunny, like today, you eat outside, if it rains, you eat inside. Doesn't impact on quality of life unless you are one of those people that really likes the heat. Cold, wet and windy weather brings its own attractions. Nothing beats being out in the wet and windy and coming back to put the fire on and having a nice hot chocolate or horlicks with marshmallows or toast on the burner. Life is what you make of it.

sunshinetours

You have to love these generalised surveys.

This is a big diverse country with lots of people in it. To generalise what poeple in the UK as a whole feel is a huge generalisation that kind of means nothing.
I like in general our weather in the SE as we get a reasonable amount of sun and general dry weather and a cold winter that has plenty of sunny days in it. It rains sometimes yes but not that much!

As Dunstonh rightly says its what you make it

Davesnave

sunshinetours wrote: »

You have to love these generalised surveys.

This is a big diverse country with lots of people in it.

Exactly.

According to yet another survey, earlier this week, I live in the 'best place in the UK to bring up children.'

So, being in the 'best' location in the UK might put me in a much better place than many Europeans, who only live in mediocre places....;)

....except that my kids are grown up, and I don't imagine for a minute that this location would suit more than a fraction of people in the UK, let alone Europe.