Quality of life in the UK now worst in Europe

The UK is now officially the worst place to live in Europe, while France and Spain come out on top, according to the latest uSwitch.com Quality of Life Index.

Despite enjoying the fourth highest income in Europe, people in the UK are getting a raw deal compared with their European neighbours.  And things are getting so bad that one in ten are seriously considering emigrating.

• Households in the UK struggle with a high cost of living with food and diesel prices the highest in Europe.  Unleaded petrol, alcohol and cigarettes all cost more than the European average.
• Those in the UK now have the lowest holiday entitlement in Europe as well as having one of the highest retirement ages.
• ‘Broken society’ is the biggest concern for people in the UK (59%).  Other key concerns include the cost of living (49%) while crime and violence comes third (47%).