GREAT! Britain

The UK is the worst place to live in Europe of a 10-country league table, covering working hours, VAT, holidays, spending on health and education.

The UK also came bottom of another table based on the cost of energy, petrol, food, alcohol, cigarettes, and life expectancy. Households in the UK struggled with a high cost of living, with food and diesel prices the highest in Europe, while unleaded petrol, alcohol and cigarettes all cost more than the European average, said the report. People in the UK now have the lowest holiday entitlement in Europe as well as having one of the highest retirement ages.

"We may still be enjoying the fourth highest household income in Europe, but the high cost of living means that we're living to work." Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said