STATISTICS OF THE YEAR

80% of women say they get more pleasure from food than sex.
The Observer

Violent crime in Britain rose 15% in the past year - the second highest rise in the world. Criminal use of hand guns has risen by 40% since they were banned in 1996.
Daily Mail

A central London parking meter makes more per hour than most fast food workers.
The Observer

The richest 1% of British households pay 21% of all income tax and the top 10% pay 50%.
Prospect

The life expectancy of a black working class boy is 15 years shorter than that of a white middle class girl.
The Times

Britons spend £6.6bn a year on illegal drugs - nearly four times as much as they spend on over the counter drugs.
The Daily Telegraph

75% of the world's refugees are Muslims fleeing Muslim countries.
Daily Mail

25% of all medical, dental and law students in Britain are of Asian ethnic origin.
The Observer

The NHS costs each British household an average of £2,850 a year.
The Mail on Sunday

In Sweden there is a medical consultant for every 476 people compared with one for every 2,650 people in Britain.
The Guardian

1.5 million people have become vegetarian as a result of the foot and mouth cull.
The Times

Extract from 'The Week' 22nd December 2001