How many countries have banned the burqa?

Behind the veil

How many countries have banned the burqa? At least 24 have placed some restrictions around the wearing of full-face coverings in public, although in most cases it applies only in public buildings. Interestingly, they encompass liberal democracies and dictatorships, Muslim-dominated and non Muslim-dominated countries. They are: Algeria, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chad, China, Denmark, France (general ban in public), Gabon, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan. In Afghanistan, the wearing of a burqa or niqab (which has a slit for the eyes) is compulsory for women.

Degrees of separation

Is it still worth going to university?

– In 2024 the median salary for graduates of working age was £42,000, up £2,000 from 2023. The median salary for non-graduates was £30,500.

– However, graduate salaries have not kept pace with inflation. In 2007 the median graduate salary was £30,000. At 2007 prices the median graduate salary is now £26,500.

– 88% of working-age graduates are in employment, compared with 68% of non-graduates.

– 68% are in highly skilled employment, compared with 24% of non-graduates.

– Students starting a full-time undergraduate course in September will take out an average of £49,470 in student loans. Interest will be levied at the rate of RPI inflation and borrowers will be liable to repay 9% of their salary over £25,000 for up to 40 years.

Source: Department for Education

Mine own

Nigel Farage said a Reform UK government would reopen coal mines. How much coal does the UK produce and how much coal is there potentially to exploit?

– In 2024 the UK produced just 107,000 tons of coal, down 99% in ten years.

– Yet according to analysis by coal industry trade body Euracoal in 2015 there are 3.56bn tons of known coal resources lying unexploited beneath Britain, with a further 184bn tons estimated to exist.