The proportion of elderly people living in severe poverty in the UK is five times what it was in 1986, the largest increase among western European countries, according to a new study. The rise, from 0.9% of the elderly population to around 5%, is attributable to Britain’s state pension system and its “low basic payments and means-tested supplements”, says the author of the report, Pension Reforms and Old Age Inequalities in Europe. Professor Bernhard Ebbinghaus, of the University of Oxford, will tell a European Sociological Association conference this week that the UK is one of five countries out of 16 that he has studied where there has been an increase in people aged 65 and over who are living in “severe poverty”, which is defined as having an income of 40% or less of the median average. “The United Kingdom is a good example of the Beveridge-lite systems that have historically failed to combat old-age poverty,” Ebbinghaus said. “These … [Read more...] about UK elderly suffer worst poverty rate in western Europe
Western europe
London, Paris swelter as heatwave builds across Western Europe
Temperatures are rising across several countries in Western Europe, with many cities expecting annual highs and a few anticipating to break all-time records. It's the second significant heatwave of the year for Europe, but this promises to be much shorter. A dome of high pressure, commonly referred to as an Omega Block because of its shape reminding the Greek letter, has set up over the western and northern parts of Europe. This high pressure raises temperatures by putting a cap on the atmosphere, which allows plenty of solar radiation in during the day but little out in the overnight hours, letting heat continue to build daily. On Tuesday, the temperatures were already on the rise, with many cities across western France hitting 40 Celsius and above - the highest temperature was recorded in Brive, reaching an afternoon high of 42.1C. Temperatures are expected to peak on Thursday and several major cities could break all-time records. London is expected to reach 38C or higher on … [Read more...] about London, Paris swelter as heatwave builds across Western Europe
Vatnajökull National Park Now Largest in Western Europe
The Vatnajökull National Park is being expanded by 560 sq km (216 sq mi), Vísir reports. With this expansion, the park now protects 0.5% of Iceland and has become the largest national park in Western Europe. The boundaries of the park have now extended to include the Herðubreið Reserve. Established in 1974, the reserve was named for what is colloquially recognised as “the queen of Icelandic mountains.” Mt. Herðubreið is a 1,682m (5,518ft)-tall tuya, or flat-topped, steep-sided volcano (not active since the Pleistocene era), located in the northeastern highlands, not far from the Askja volcano. The Herðubreið Reserve also includes other impressive “nature pearls,” such as the Ódaðahraun desert, known for its “unusual geological formations, sands, and broad lava fields that have been formed by various volcanic sources during different periods.” In January, an application was formally submitted to have … [Read more...] about Vatnajökull National Park Now Largest in Western Europe
Western Europe must repatriate its ISIL fighters and families
Western European intransigence on ensuring that citizens detained abroad as ISIL suspects or their family members can return home made world headlines recently when an Iraqi court sentenced 9 French citizens to death following trials tainted by allegations of torture. Countries including France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands insist that logistical challenges and security risks make it practically impossible for them to help their citizens accused of membership in the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). But others, like Kosovo, Turkey, Russia, and especially Central Asian countries are showing that where there is a will to bring citizens home, there is a way. Three Central Asian states - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan - have repatriated 756 nationals thus far, most of them women and children. Kyrgyzstan is discussing possible repatriations as well. In stark contrast, repatriations by Western European countries have been piecemeal, despite far greater resources … [Read more...] about Western Europe must repatriate its ISIL fighters and families
Wales ‘highest prison rate’ in western Europe
Wales By Jenny Rees BBC Wales home affairs correspondent 16 January 2019 comments Share this with Facebook Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share this with Email Share this with Facebook Share this with WhatsApp Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share Share this with These are external links and will open in a new window Email Share this with Email Facebook Share this with Facebook Messenger Share this with Messenger Messenger Share this with Messenger Twitter Share this with Twitter Pinterest Share this with Pinterest WhatsApp Share this with WhatsApp LinkedIn Share this with LinkedIn Copy this link https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-46878107 Read more about sharing. These are external links and will open in a new window Close share panel Wales has the highest imprisonment rate in western Europe, new research has … [Read more...] about Wales ‘highest prison rate’ in western Europe