UK 'one of Europe's worst countries' for nanny state issues

BRITAIN has the seventh biggest "nanny state" in Europe, a think tank has claimed.

- By David Williamson Chief Political Commentator

The UK's tobacco and alcohol duty, tax on sugary drinks and indoor smoking ban mean personal freedom is in decline, it was said.

And the Institute of Economic Affairs said Britain has risen from 11th to seventh place in its "nanny state index".

The IEA added that freedom has "decreased at a faster rate than almost anywhere else in Europe over the past two years".