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21/02/2006
More babies born outside marriage
The number of babies born to unmarried mothers has risen dramatically over the past 25 years, a new report has shown.
The annual Social Trends report conducted by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) found that the number of children born out of wedlock rose to 42% in 2004 from 12% in 1980.
The ONS said that the UK now had the fourth highest level of births outside marriage in Europe, after Sweden, Denmark and France.
However, the ONS attributed the rise to more non-married people co-habiting.
The report also found that the number of households increased in Britain by 30% between 1971 and 2005, rising from 18.6 million to 24.2 million. However, households are becoming smaller, with more people living alone. The report found that the average household size dropped from 2.9 people to 2.4 between 1971 and 2005.
More young people are also continuing to live at home with their parents, rather than moving out, which has been attributed to factors such as students living at home and young people facing difficulties getting on the property ladder.
The Social Trends report also found that people are travelling more, with increased access to cars and increases in bus, rail and air travel.
In 2004/05, more than a billion passenger journeys were made on the national rail network for the second year running - the highest figures since 1961.
The number of air passengers travelling to or from overseas countries through UK airports also almost quadrupled between 1980 and 2004, rising from 43 million to 167 million.
However, the report warned that there was "increasing pressure" on environment and natural resources, due to carbon dioxide emissions from transport and a continuing increase in the use of natural gas for energy.
The report's other main findings included: one in five full-time employees worked more than 48 hours per week, according to figures from spring 2005; and the number of debit card transactions in the UK was ten times higher in 2004 than in 1991. Credit card usage also increased by a factor of almost three during the same period.
(KMcA)
The annual Social Trends report conducted by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) found that the number of children born out of wedlock rose to 42% in 2004 from 12% in 1980.
The ONS said that the UK now had the fourth highest level of births outside marriage in Europe, after Sweden, Denmark and France.
However, the ONS attributed the rise to more non-married people co-habiting.
The report also found that the number of households increased in Britain by 30% between 1971 and 2005, rising from 18.6 million to 24.2 million. However, households are becoming smaller, with more people living alone. The report found that the average household size dropped from 2.9 people to 2.4 between 1971 and 2005.
More young people are also continuing to live at home with their parents, rather than moving out, which has been attributed to factors such as students living at home and young people facing difficulties getting on the property ladder.
The Social Trends report also found that people are travelling more, with increased access to cars and increases in bus, rail and air travel.
In 2004/05, more than a billion passenger journeys were made on the national rail network for the second year running - the highest figures since 1961.
The number of air passengers travelling to or from overseas countries through UK airports also almost quadrupled between 1980 and 2004, rising from 43 million to 167 million.
However, the report warned that there was "increasing pressure" on environment and natural resources, due to carbon dioxide emissions from transport and a continuing increase in the use of natural gas for energy.
The report's other main findings included: one in five full-time employees worked more than 48 hours per week, according to figures from spring 2005; and the number of debit card transactions in the UK was ten times higher in 2004 than in 1991. Credit card usage also increased by a factor of almost three during the same period.
(KMcA)
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17 November 2005
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State pension age could rise
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30 April 2012
Average Of 21 Cannabis Farms Found Daily In UK Last Year
A new report by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) has revealed that an average of 21 cannabis factories were found every day in Britain last year. Officers confiscated marijuana in the UK with a street value of £100 million, as the number of farms discovered increased to 7,865, more than doubling in four years.
Average Of 21 Cannabis Farms Found Daily In UK Last Year
A new report by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) has revealed that an average of 21 cannabis factories were found every day in Britain last year. Officers confiscated marijuana in the UK with a street value of £100 million, as the number of farms discovered increased to 7,865, more than doubling in four years.
11 December 2006
One in ten UK citizens opt to live broad
A report published today has indicated that around 5.5 million British-born people are living overseas. More than 198,000 British nationals moved overseas last year, bringing the total number of Brits abroad to more than 5.5 million, according to new research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
One in ten UK citizens opt to live broad
A report published today has indicated that around 5.5 million British-born people are living overseas. More than 198,000 British nationals moved overseas last year, bringing the total number of Brits abroad to more than 5.5 million, according to new research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
04 November 2005
Learndirect criticised in NAO report
The online adult learning service Learndirect has been criticised in a new report for spending too much on marketing and management. The National Audit Office report said that although the service had “pushed the boundaries of learning methods”, it was still spending too much on administrative costs.
Learndirect criticised in NAO report
The online adult learning service Learndirect has been criticised in a new report for spending too much on marketing and management. The National Audit Office report said that although the service had “pushed the boundaries of learning methods”, it was still spending too much on administrative costs.
02 December 2004
Extra skills training to be offered to workers in England
In his pre-budget report, the Chancellor has announced that workers in England who have no basic qualifications or skills training under their belt will be offered additional skills training.
Extra skills training to be offered to workers in England
In his pre-budget report, the Chancellor has announced that workers in England who have no basic qualifications or skills training under their belt will be offered additional skills training.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
