I am very well familiar with the stupidity that has engulfed the UK. It one of the worst shitholes to live in today primarily to everything that you've listed (and a few other things, CCTV anyone?). Imagine that, a western highly-developed country = complete shithole. That's a discussion for P&S section, but that one has a roach called TECSHARE. It's best to discuss these things off-forum.