Laura Anderson, 42, from Fife, has left Scotland for Malta, saying the rising cost of living had made Britain "too expensive". The business owner, who spent her entire life in Scotland, moved to the Mediterranean island and noticed a stark difference in fuel prices within a week of arriving.
Fuel price comparison
While walking her dogs on October 4, Ms Anderson saw diesel in Malta priced at around €1.21 (£1.03) per litre. She compared this with the £2.22 per litre she said she paid when travelling to Heathrow Airport before leaving Britain. "I was shocked to see the price difference," Ms Anderson told NeedToKnow. "I've moved to Malta partly for the weather, and partly because I feel the UK is becoming too expensive."
Unleaded petrol in Malta was around €1.34 (£1.13) per litre, compared with approximately £1.74 per litre in the UK. Ms Anderson described the difference as evidence that Britain had become a "rip off". "When we were driving down to Heathrow, diesel was £2.22 compared to €1.21," she said. "What is going on in the UK, rip off. That's over £1 more expensive per litre."
Heating costs and relocation
Ms Anderson also cited the cost of heating her former home in Scotland as a concern. She said she had lived on a farm and that kerosene heating oil cost around £1.11 per litre. "That means my house would cost over £500 per month for heating in the winter, not including firewood or electricity," she said.
Her decision to relocate comes as households across the UK continue to face pressure from everyday expenses, including energy and transport costs.
Online reaction and new life
Ms Anderson shared a video about the fuel-price difference online, which attracted more than 180,000 views and prompted reactions from viewers. One person commented: "UK is rip-off central." Another joked: "Soon be worth driving to Malta to fill up."
For Ms Anderson, however, the move is about more than cheaper fuel. She said she was drawn to Malta by its warmer weather and what she sees as a more manageable cost of living. After making the move, she is now beginning her new life on the island with her dogs and says she is happy she took the leap.
