My many trips to the UK have been educational, I don't know how you can afford to live there. Petrol is about $7.00 per gallon, whereas it is $1.75 here.
Jacqui and I went out to dinner the other night at a seafood restaurant. We ordered a "fisherman's platter", and it was piled high with shrimp (prawns) scallops, haddock and clams. The french fries (chips) were on a seperate dish. We both ate from the platter, and there was enough left over to take home, which we both had for lunch the next day. The price $19.95, plus a pitcher of beer which we split with my brother and his wife. Well, it wasn't REAL beer, it was Coors, (American)
My house is valued at $120,000. In England, anywhere near London, it would be worth at least $200,000.
Your pound is worth about $1.80, yet your prices are such that you spend pounds like we spend dollars.
I love the UK, but I couldn't afford to live there.