Picture: Scottish Daily Express

Record numbers of people are leaving the UK for a new life abroad — blaming a combination of rising living costs, taxation hikes and the fear of falling victim to crime.

Figures compiled by the Office for National Statistics, over 1,000 people leave the U.K. every day, with Australia, New Zealand, Spain, France and the US among the most popular destinations.

They join the estimated six million people who have made a new home for themselves overseas, while thousands more own holiday homes enabling them to divide their time between two countries. Those who have packed their bags for the last time, general disillusionment with the UK seems to be the main reason behind their decision, according to research carried out by Foreign Currency Direct.

“Eight in 10 Brits have fallen out of love with the UK, and the credit crunch fears have given them an added impetus to bale out and enjoy a less stressful and more cost-efficient life,”

“While holiday homes are still a popular choice, we are seeing an upsurge of British homeowners relocating.”

It is certainly becoming expensive to live in the UK. According to the most recent edition of the Daily Express cost of living index, published last Thursday, the price of petrol has increased by 20 per cent over the past 12 months, while the cost of the average family’s weekly shop has gone up by 22 per cent.

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