British life quality 'falls short'

The price of fuel and other essential goods, below average spending on health and education, short holidays and late retirement place the UK just above Ireland at the bottom of the uSwitch.com European quality of life index.

Although British families earn more than £10,000 more than the European average, they pay the highest prices for diesel, 18% above the average, and the second highest price for unleaded petrol, 6% more than average. They also pay 49% more for gas and 5% more for electricity - the third highest prices in Europe.

UK spending on healthcare and education is below the European average while life expectancy is the third lowest at 78.9 years, compared to 80.9 in France or 80.7 in Sweden.

Workers have the third highest retirement age and suffer the shortest holiday entitlement - a week below average, according to the study. The weather adds to to the grim tally, with Britain receiving 80% less sunshine than Spain and 17% less than the European average.

A total of 41,026 residents left the UK in 2006, the highest number in Europe, with total emigration increasing by 30% from the UK since 2001.

The study assessed 19 factors to rank the UK in relation to nine other major countries across Europe.

Spain offers the best quality of life in Europe, despite families earning an annual net income of just £16,789 - £8,500 below the average and less than half that of the UK.

The country enjoys low taxation, cheaper essential goods, higher than average life expectancy and a generous holiday allowance, uSwitch said.

France came second, boasting the second highest spend on healthcare and the highest holiday allowance at 40 days.