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.
– In 2015, Britain’s annual energy consumption – in all forms – was the equivalent of 257m tons.
– Therefore, known coal reserves would be sufficient to provide Britain’s entire energy needs for just under 14 years, and estimated reserves enough to provide Britain’s entire energy needs for around 730 years.
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