Gen Z’s Job Struggles Are ‘Not Remotely Their Fault,’ Uni Founder Says

Posted on 10/11/2024 by Boris Clair

I have seen headline after headline screaming the bad news: Gen Z (roughly, those born between 1997-2012) are getting fired en masse.

Fortune magazine claims that’s because youths aren’t up to the task; they don’t dress appropriately, set reasonable expectations, show up on time, show enough initiative, or kick off their careers with a can-do attitude, the publication reckons.

The message is repeated across multiple media outlets; young people can’t get, or keep, jobs, and they’re all to blame, we’re told.

So I’ll admit I was relieved to speak to the founder of the London Interdisciplinary School, Ed Fidoe, who said the generation’s workplace woes are “not remotely Gen Z’s fault.”

So what’s going on?

There are a “couple of forces” to consider, the founder told HuffPost UK.

Many organisations aren’t hiring right now, and those that are feel that they can “trim their graduate intake” ― even though they “regret it, sort of four years, five years later,” he said.

Then, there’s “a structural problem, a structural challenge, which is… Gen AI, and the impact it has on graduate jobs,” he added.

Ed shared that “something like 80% [of students] get a 2:1 or a first from Russell Group universities” (it was 87.7% in 2022), meaning internships are crucial if you want to stand out from the crowd.

But the sort of “low-level” research jobs typically given to some interns “could be done very, very easily by the technology that exists.”

“We help broker our students to get internships every year, and… each year, it’s become quite a lot harder to place them,” the founder revealed.

Even where Ed does see some cultural misalignments between young people and the workforce, he still doesn’t think it’s helpful to blame Gen Z.

Though the founder says more and more young people are not given enough “challenges” on things as basic as handing coursework in on time, he states that universities’ failure to prepare students for “the real world” is partly down to an increasingly customer-provider relationship increasingly dear uni fees may encourage.

University courses themselves are rigid too, he pointed out ― “it’s built in that there’s no change in the university sector. And then we send people out into the most volatile work market that we’ve seen in probably 50 years.”

Especially post-pandemic, Ed continued, “if we see lots of layoffs, it’s not actually because it’s Gen Z being lazy. It’s just… that’s just what happened.”

So what can Gen Z, unis, or employers do to make the situation better?

Though he doesn’t think Gen Z are entirely culpable for their lot, Ed does think that universities could do a better job of setting fair expectations for students.

He calls unis “a wonderful place to be able to provide lots of support, but [also] lots of challenges,” exposing young people to “new environments and new ideas and new thinking.

“And… if universities are backing away from that, then again, my generation is doing that generation a disservice, because what it means is they are optimising for their own ease… because people are worried about being sued. But as soon as those students leave, they’re going to enter a workplace, and the workplace is on the whole not going to be conforming to that,” Ed explained.

He adds that in the London Interdisciplinary School, “we want people to have difficult conversations. What we don’t want is people to avoid them.”

But Ed says employers themselves often have a skewed view of what their youngest workers can offer.

Far from being underqualified, he says, some Gen Z may find themselves bored by the realities of work ― a phenomenon that may be exacerbated by employer’s perceptions of young people.

“We hear lots about employers saying that graduates don’t have any of the skills they need for the workplace…pick a list; problem-solving, initiative, communication, teamwork, all the stuff, and they’re deeply ill-prepared,” he says.

He adds: “The thing that’s not talked about very much is that graduates, particularly from… often very intellectually challenging degrees, go into work and go, this is really boring.”

He advises employers to “think a bit harder… about what your students are actually capable of because they are highly capable.”

“Think a bit harder about what they could be really outstanding at,” Ed says.

“There will be some things they can be better at than you are currently, and not just technology, right? Which is the sort of lazy perspective.”

I Just Learned Why Horror Movies Make So Much Money And I Had No Clue

Posted on 29/10/2024 by Boris Clair

I’m not someone who enjoys, or even knows how to enjoy, horror.

So to think that some titles can creep close to a billion dollars in box office sales is pretty wild to me ― but they can, and do.

In a recent episode of insider showbiz podcast The Rest Is Entertainment, co-host Marina Hyde said it’s Hollywood’s “most successful genre bar none,” adding that a third of the 50 most profitable (not highest-grossing, but best return on investment) movies in Hollywood history are horror.

Even I can accept that some people like the spooky scenes I so loathe ― but why is horror such a money-maker when people love action, comedy, and romance too?

Part of it has to do with production costs

Marina mentioned The Blair Witch Project, which mainly used “found footage” (video shot from one of the actors’ camcorders), and Paranormal Activity, which made use of CCTV clips.

Blumhouse, a big-name horror production company, are “ruthless” with their budget and don’t want to really go over $20 million, the journalist said.

“Horror is thriving, really thriving,” Marina added, suggesting that fans of the genre will drop a bit more dosh than, say, a rom-com lover.

“Audiences go to cinemas for horror… Horror fans want to see stuff in theatres, she said, later adding: “People want to be scared together.”

Then, there are the casts to consider ― you’re simply less likely to see a high-budget A-lister in a horror, meaning you can save on actors’ salaries.

Blumhouse movies “don’t have big stars,” for instance, Marina’s co-host Richard Osman said. “You don’t need to be spending $25 million on actors.”

After all, what truly makes a movie scary ― mystery, suspense, scary noises, and dim screens ― aren’t exactly budget-busters.

Anything else?

The American Film Market crunched the numbers on horror movies and said that while “on average, documentaries stay in theatres for almost 5 weeks… horror movies are gone in half that time.”

They add that “What this means in practice is that horror films are much more reliant on their opening weekend to make money than other genres, and therefore much more reliant on good marketing, and a measure of luck.”

Still, they say, horror seems to be the most profitable ― bad news for me personally, but great news for studio execs.

I Just Learned How Much Olympic Athletes Get For Winning Medals, And Wow, It’s Not What I Expected

Posted on 05/08/2024 by Boris Clair

The Olympic games aren’t all about the medals, except that they kind of are.

The discs of national glory are so valuable that athletes have sold, or donated, theirs for fortunes; collectors can cough up hundreds of thousands, or even a million plus, on the objects.

But how much do the athletes themselves get paid for placing themselves on the podium?

We’ve already written at HuffPost UK about how little Oscars hosts earn from the gig ― what about Olympic medallists?

It truly depends

Different countries offer different rates of pay for different medals, CNBC reports. And while some governments ― like that of Singapore ― will pay the medallist directly, others do it through different organisations.

Britain is a good example; Team GB offers athletes grants before they reach the games, while Sky says British Athletics “does reportedly pay out medal bonuses independent of the government.”

Though every decorated sportsperson will leave the 2024 Olympic Village with “a stuffed toy of the Olympics mascot and a ‘mysterious’ box containing the official event poster,” CNBC shared that a gold medallist for the US will earn £29,793 ($38,000).

That’s measly compared to Hong Kong’s £602,146 ($768,000) for gold, but decadent in comparison to Australia’s £10,192 (13,000).
What are the going rates for different countries?

We’ve converted the dollar sum into pounds, and the conversion rate will change. With that consideration, in order of payouts, they reportedly are (per CNBC):

Hong Kong

— Gold: £601,812 ($768,000)
— Silver: £300,906 ($384,000)
— Bronze: £150,453 ($192,000)

Singapore

— Gold: £583,789 ($745,000)
— Silver: £292,286 ($373,000)
— Bronze: £145,751 ($186,000)

Indonesia

— Gold: £235,083 ($300,000)
— Silver: £117,541 ($150,000)
— Bronze: £47,016 ($60,000)

Israel

— Gold: £212,358 ($271,000)
— Silver: £169,259 ($216,000)
— Bronze: £105,787 ($135,000)

Republic of Kazakhstan

— Gold: £195,902 ($250,000)
— Silver: £117541 ($150,000)
— Bronze: £58,770 ($75,000)

Malaysia

— Gold: £169,259 ($216,000)
— Silver: £50,934 ($65,000)
— Bronze: £17,239 ($22,000)

Spain

— Gold: £79,928 ($102,000)
— Silver: £40,747 ($52,000)
— Bronze: £25,859 ($33,000)

France

— Gold: £68,174 ($87,000)
— Silver: £33,695 ($43,000)
— Bronze: £17,239 ($22,000)

South Korea

— Gold: £35,262 ($45,000)
— Silver: £19,590 ($25,000)
— Bronze: £14,104 ($18,000)

United States

— Gold: £29,777 ($38,000)
— Silver: £18,023 ($23,000)
— Bronze: £11,754 ($15,000)

Japan

— Gold: £25,075 ($32,000)
— Silver: £10,186 ($13,000)
— Bronze: £4,701 ($6,000)

Poland

— Gold: £19,590 ($25,000)
— Silver: £14,888 ($19,000)
— Bronze: £10,970 ($14,000)

Germany

— Gold: £17,239 ($22,000)
— Silver: £12,537 ($16,000)
— Bronze: £8,619 ($11,000)

Australia

— Gold: £10,186 ($13,000)
— Silver: £7,836 ($10,000)
— Bronze: £5,485 ($7,000)

So how do athletes make money?

Not every Olympic athlete will place in the top three, and even if they did, most Olympians only go to the games once.

So how else do they make money?

Well according to The Telegraph, income sources range from plain ol’ day jobs to OnlyFans accounts and social media money.

Other athletes may secure brand deals through their work or get government or charitable grants.

This year, musician Flava Flav began supporting the US women’s Olympic water polo team after learning many of them were working ” one, two and three jobs.”

58% of Olympic athletes did not consider themselves financially stable when asked at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Forbes reports.

The ‘Loud Budgeting’ Hack That’s Actually Helping People Save Money

Posted on 14/06/2024 by Boris Clair

If, like me, you struggle to stick to budgeting plans because you simply cannot turn down going out with friends, you might want to consider ‘loud budgeting’.

Yes, instead of quietly trying to stick to budgeting goals and making excuses for not socialising as much, loud budgeting is all about being honest about your financial plans and your need to stick to them.

HuffPost UK spoke with financial expert Adrian Murphy, CEO of Murphy Wealth to learn more about loud budgeting and how we can implement it in our everyday lives.

What loud budgeting is, and how to do it

Murphy explained: ” A big part of embarking on your savings journey is accountability. When you are thinking about your long term goals and objectives, it helps if there’s someone who keeps you accountable to your life plan – perhaps a partner or family member.

“If you don’t have that, there’s not someone to give you a nudge and you are relying on your own personal motivation – which is harder!”

This is where this budgeting trend comes in. Murphy said that if your intention is to save is out there, you’re more likely to stick to it.

However, Murphy admits that for some people, loud budgeting may be extreme and said for them: “A better way to look at it could be to find friends who will help you be accountable.

“You’ve already made a conscious choice not to spend or go out, so perhaps you should look at your reasons why? If you’re regularly defending your right to not spend in your social circles, it might be worth looking at your circle of friends. It might suggest you don’t have a supportive network.”

That being said, don’t feel that you need to stop socialising entirely.

Murphy urged: “With money there’s always a balance to be had. Money spent on socialising and experiences is important for mental health and wellness.

“We’re social animals, and not everything can be about tomorrow. Saving is important, but not if you’re watching the world go by to do so.”

How do you know if loud budgeting is right for you?

So, how do you know if it’s right for you?

Murphy answered: ”‘Loud budgeting’ highlights a cross generational issue. Money and relationships are, by far, the two most difficult topics to talk about. Everything in your life somehow tracks back to money and it can be such an emotive topic, one where tough decisions need to be made.

“We should encourage better conversations about money, especially if it can stop you making detrimental decisions. If saying ‘no, I’m not going for a coffee because my savings need to be prioritised’ helps you save and talk about money, I don’t see a problem.”

This Is Why Preparing For Divorce Is The Most Romantic Thing You Can Do

Posted on 10/06/2024 by Boris Clair

You’ve said your vows, celebrated with your loved ones and now all that’s left to do after your wedding is, uh, prepare for divorce?

According to a barrister at 4PB, Rhiannon Lloyd, this is exactly what you should be doing and, in fact, it’s the most romantic thing you could do for one another as a married couple.

Speaking exclusively with HuffPost UK, Lloyd said: “The reality of divorce, its brutality, cost and the damage it can inflict, if not handled correctly, on children and families is something any prospective spouses should seriously think about.

“The importance of planning for the eventuality of a split, and minimising it’s impact on you and any future children is underestimated.”

Lloyd wisely added: “What could be more romantic than trying to ensure that you have the best possible chance of remaining a positive presence in each other’s lives and the lives of your future children post any future divorce?”

Well, yes.

How to financially plan for a potential divorce

The barrister recommends that couple start a ‘divorce fund’ to financially see them through any divorce proceedings and ensure that neither party are left out of pocket.

Lloyd explained: “Whereas prenups plan for management of asset division, they don’t ordinarily address contribution to a fund to manage the cost of any eventual divorce process.

“This is now changing and many couples are opting to make joint (or sole) contributions into a divorce fund as well. A fund is set aside, earmarked for the costs ( or even settlement) of any future divorce often in line with the prenup’s provisions.”

As for how much you should put in a divorce fund? Well, Lloyd says that a ‘sensible’ starting point is £100k. Quite unfathomable to most of us, especially during a cost of living crisis.

However, while this sum may make you gulp, Lloyd warned: “It’s important to point out though that even in modest asset cases costs can spiral into the hundreds of thousands when people litigate unreasonably.”

Eye-watering.

As for the how, Lloyd said: “Any fund would have to be an Escrow or joint mandate account where neither party could withdraw without the consent of the other.

“It would also be sensible, either as part of a prenup, or by way of a separate written agreement, to set out the terms under which either party could utilise sums from the fund, how any excess was to be treated and the parties’ intentions in respect of the fund generally.”

So, Why Do We Call A Pound A ‘Quid’?

Posted on 28/05/2024 by Boris Clair

You might not know that Scotland has over 420 words for snow. But you’re probably aware that English speakers have an awful, awful lot of different words for “money”.

Dosh. Moolah. Paper. We’ve gotten so good at referencing cash without actually naming it that we’ve got slang for specific sums ― a rack, a grand, a Benjamin (in the US), and of course the humble ‘quid’.

But how did the latter get its “odd-when-I-think-about-it” name to begin with?

We’re not definite, but there are some interesting theories

The word is really, really old ― it’s been in use since the 1600s, Dictionary.com says.

In all that time, it’s never taken on a different plural form. £1 is “a quid,” and £20 is “20 quid.”

According to Investopedia, “Some scholars believe that Italian immigrants extracted the term from ‘scudo,’ the name for gold and silver coins of various denominations used in Italy from the 16th century through the 19th century.”

Other people think it refers to “quid pro quo,” a Latin phrase that Merriam-Webster defines as “a giving or taking of one thing of value in return for another.”

Irish speakers use the word “cuid” to mean a “share” or “part” of everything from time to prizes to pay.

When following “mo” (meaning “my”), it turns into “mo chuid” (said “moh quid” meaning “my part,” “my pay” by extension), which some think English people adapted from Irish soldiers in an older British army.

Ultimately, “although there are many popular theories about how the word quid came to be used in relation to money, the origin of the term is uncertain,” Dictionary.com says.

Some words like “quid” have changed definition

Though most of us understand a “quid” to mean a pound, you might not know that a “bob” wasn’t just a vague term for “a sum of money” when it came out ― it actually meant a shilling.

A sixpence went by the now-defunct “tanner” and “bender,” The Brittania Coin Company says.

“It’s because of this latter nickname that we now refer to getting drunk as ‘going on a bender’ – sixpence used to be enough money to get quite drunk,” they add.

Sorry, What ― An Oscar Is Only Worth HOW Much?

Posted on 11/03/2024 by Boris Clair

Of course, winning an Oscar is priceless. But buying one? Well, depending on who you are, that might be much cheaper than you think.

The first Oscar to be sold was hawked by Harold Russell in 1992 for a cool $55k.

And that’s a steal in comparison to other sales ― Steven Spielberg purchased Bette Davis’s 1938 Best Actress Oscar for $578,000, for instance, and in 2014, Joseph Wright’s 1943 Best Colour Art Direction Oscar for My Gal Sal sold for $79,200.

Not a bad profit considering the statue only costs $400 to make, right?

Well… wrong

Anyone who wins an Oscar has to sign an agreement that includes a 1951 no-resale rule introduced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

In 2015, a court ruling changed a rule that meant anyone selling an Oscars statue should offer it to the Academy for $10 first, and lowered it to one measly dollar.

“Award winners shall not sell or otherwise dispose of the Oscar statuette, nor permit it to be sold or disposed of by operation of law, without first offering to sell it to the Academy for the sum of $1.00,” says the Academy’s site.

“This provision shall apply also to the heirs and assigns of Academy Award winners who may acquire a statuette by gift or bequest.“

The Academy has successfully sued people who have tried to sell their Oscar without first giving them their $1 shot ― including the owner and auction house behind the Joseph Wright sale we mentioned before.

In that case, the statue was returned to the Academy.

So, technically an Oscar is only worth a single US dollar (blood, sweat, and tears nonrefundable).

This Is What Life Might Look Like If There Was No Gender Health Gap

Posted on 24/11/2023 by Boris Clair

The gender health gap is a well-documented and widespread phenomenon, where women’s health concerns are regularly sidelined, neglected or dismissed.

To take just one stunning example, the British Heart Foundation explains that women 50% more likely to be misdiagnosed when suffering from a heart attack than men.

Twice as many women as men die from the underlying cause of heart attacks too – coronary heart disease.

Meanwhile, erectile dysfunction (which affects 19% of men) is studied in research five times more often than PMS, (which affects 90% of women), according to ResearchGate.

And endometriosis – where tissue like those which line the womb are found outside of the organ – can cause fertility issues, pain, fatigue and heavy bleeding as well as wellbeing issues. It takes an average eight years to be diagnosed.

Much of the issues come down to a lack of research and funding into women’s health.

The first ever plan to reduce these inequalities was only introduced last year in the government’s Women’s Health Strategy. It’s a start, but the examples mentioned above show we are still a long way off gender health equality.

So, what would life look like if women had the same healthcare as men? Women’s intimate health brand INTIMA has produced a report imagining just that – and its findings are extraordinary.

1. Equal health would shrink the gender pay gap

The gender pay gap is an issue women still struggle with around the world. From November 22, the average woman in the UK is effectively working for free until the end of the year – that’s how large the discrepancy between women’s salaries and men’s salaries is.

As UK charity Fawcett Society notes, working women in the UK take home £574 less than men each month – that works out to £6,888 each year.

The charity calls for more flexible working in an effort to improve women’s pay.

But it’s also worth recognising that health plays a large role, too. A whopping 89% of people experienced stress or anxiety in the workplace because of their period.

INTIMINA points to research dating back to 2015, which claimed women in the UK take 17 million sick days a year because of PMS. A third of women also take at least four sick days a year.

More than a third reported heavy menstrual bleeding too, which has been connected to higher unemployment and workplace absences.

In fact, 2019 research from Standard Life shows women lose on average £5,469 each year in time off while waiting for an endometriosis diagnosis.

Research from BUPA found a million women dropped out of work because of unmanaged menopause symptoms.

If these conditions were better researched, addressed earlier and talked about more openly, it could reduce absenteeism in the workplace, INTIMINA suggested. Flexible working would help deal with these conditions, too.

2. Economic boost

If there was no gender health gap, It could save £18 billion a year, according to INTIMINA.

That’s because endometriosis costs the economy £8.2 billon a year through treatment, loss of work and healthcare costs.

Menopause costs £10 billion, and heavy, painful periods cost £531 million in sick days.

So it makes sense to invest in services to help treat these conditions.

And, according to the NHS Confederation, every pound invested in the NHS ends up giving £4 back to the economy by boosting productivity and workforce participation – truly, a win-win.

3. Boost for perinatal care

Healthcare professionals too often miss new mothers’ mental health struggles, the report revealed.

Research from 2021 suggested one in four new mothers weren’t asked about that side of their wellbeing during check-ups from doctors, with the focus often being on the newborn rather than the mum.

NHS England’s website also explains: “Perinatal mental health problems that are not treated effectively cost society £8.1 billion every year, with the annual cost to the NHS estimated at £1.2 billion.”

Suicide is the leading cause of maternal death during pregnancy and up to one year after it ends in the UK.

But as INTIMINA pointed out, many of the physical issues like incontinence or prolapse can be treated with early intervention and physiotherapy – which can help make new mothers’ lives a little easier.

4. Orgasm gap? Eradicated

Research from 2018 suggests women in lesbian relationships orgasm 86% of the time, and women in straight relationships 65% of the time.

For men, it’s 95% of the time in straight relationships and 89% of the time for gay men – meaning there is an orgasm gap.

Gynaecological cancer charity The Eve Appeal also found women are five times more likely to feel ignored when looking for medical help with reproductive health issues.

But, if women felt more comfortable getting to know their own bodies and speak to their doctors, INTIMINA suggested this would change.

Reduced pain, better mental health and better sex would all have knock-on effects for women’s relationships, too.

5. Women’s mental health improves

More research into conditions impacted by women – like PMS and Endometriosis – could offer a substantial boost to women’s mental health.

If endometriosis could be diagnosed after the first GP appointment – instead of after the average eight years – it would help relieve the 95% of patients who reported it had a negative impact on their wellbeing.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are three times more likely to have a mental health issue, while nearly half of those who suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) have planned for a suicide attempt at some point in their lives.

INTIMA claimed: “Earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments would help to reduce the mental health toll of menstrual and reproductive health issues. Symptoms would no longer be a barrier to living a full and well-rounded life.”

The brand suggested that, in turn, this would help reduce depression and anxiety among those who suffer.

Revealed: UK’s Biggest Japanese Knotweed Hotspots

Posted on 27/09/2023 by Boris Clair

We’ve written before about how much Japanese knotweed can affect the value of your property.

The invasive plant is notoriously hard to kill and can damage the foundations of your home.

In fact, Japanese knotweed can be so devastating that you can be fined thousands for knowingly spreading the plant throughout your neighbourhood or into the wild (you can even be jailed for up to two years).

So, it’s a good idea to work out how at-risk your postcode is. Luckily, Environet has taken the data from its Japanese knotweed heat map (which documents over 58,000 known infestations throughout the UK) to find the biggest hotspots for the weed in 2023.

Here are the top ten affected locations, and some advice on what to do if you do spot the plant:

The top ten Japanese knotweed hotspots in the UK are, in order:

Swansea, with 1,350 known cases in 2023
Bolton, Machester, with 1,010 cases
Bristol, with 986 cases
Cardiff, with 872 cases
Preston, Lancashire, with 857 cases
Nottingham, with 803 cases
Derby, with 711 cases
Caernarfon, Gwynedd, with 708 cases
Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, with 706 cases
Bridgend, with 664 cases.

You can use Environet’s Japanese knotweed heatmap to find out exactly how common Japanese knotweed is near you.

What do I do if I see Japanese knotweed?

First of all, Nic Seal, CEO of Environet, says that vigilance is key. “Make sure you know what knotweed looks like and how it differs from other common garden weeds like ivy and bindweed, so you can keep an eye out for it in your garden and neighbourhood,” he warns.

You can email a photo of the plant to Environet’s free ID service at expert@environetuk.com if you’re not sure what you’re looking at.

“Knotweed is easily identifiable during summer, but as we head through the autumn and into winter, the above-ground growth dies back and it becomes much harder to spot. It’s also easier to conceal, so anyone viewing a property to buy should be extra careful,” Seal adds.

Simply lifting the plant out of your soil won’t stop growth, as Japanese knotweed “can grow from a tiny fragment of root or rhizome in the soil”.

To treat the issue properly, you need to use chemical weed killers which are best administered by pros.

And because Japanese knotweed is classed as ‘controlled waste’ under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, you can’t just bury or burn it after you’ve tackled the issue.

You’ll have to “use a registered waste carrier and an authorised landfill site or suitable disposal site,” according to Gov.uk.

You must also “notify the Environment Agency at least one month before you bury knotweed” (it’ll have to be at least five metres deep), make sure you only burn knotweed on the site it came from, and check with your local council to make sure it’s permitted in the first place.

Fun, fun, fun…

If You Want A Cheaper Family Center Parcs Holiday, You Should Try This

Posted on 06/07/2023 by Boris Clair

When it comes to quintessential British family holidays, Center Parcs is up there – between the cute log cabins, wealth of things to do and picturesque settings, it’s got a lot going for it, especially as far as parents are concerned.

But one thing that can put some families off – especially given the current financial climate – is the price tag that comes with a week-long break.

Consumer champion Which? recently found that, on average, the cost of a UK Center Parcs stay is roughly £1,274. And that’s for a family of four to stay at a site for four nights during a peak period like half term.

But if you’re after a cheaper way to enjoy Center Parc’s outdoor adventure vibes, it might just be worth looking further afield.

A new report from Which? found families could more than halve the cost of a Center Parcs break by booking in Europe instead of the UK.

Oh, really?

Yup. The consumer group compared the cost of a four-night stay for a family of four at 16 Center Parcs sites across England, France and Belgium during four peak periods.

It found a UK stay came in at £1,274 on average, compared to £833 in France and £701 in Belgium.

Which? said the biggest price differences could be found for bookings over October half-term and Easter, partly due to differences between the school calendars here and in Europe.

On average, a family could save 55% opting for a Center Parcs resort in Belgium rather than the UK over October half term, with a four night break costing just £613, compared to £1,369 in the UK.

And the savings in France were almost as good, with the same stay costing £868 on average.

But don’t the travel costs make it more expensive?

Of course, with any trip abroad you need to factor in travel costs – and these can really rack up when the kids are off school, especially if you choose to fly.

That said, when Which? factored in travel costs – like taking a ferry and then driving – they still found families could save hundreds of pounds overall.

For example, Dunkirk is less than an hour’s drive from Center Parcs’ Park de Haan, in Belgium.

At the time of writing, a return ferry trip for a family of four from Dover to Dunkirk could be booked for approximately £170 during the October half-term.

Similarly, a return car ferry for a family of four from Dover to Calais could be booked for £125 return during October half term, and over Easter weekend a return journey via Le Shuttle can be booked for £179.

Venturing to European Center Parcs sites is something more and more parents are wising up to. One mum previously told The Sun how she took her family to Center Parcs in the Netherlands during the Easter holidays and saved hundreds of pounds.

For £680 she managed to bag a week in a three-bed cottage. She also suggested activities were cheaper in the Netherlands than in the UK.

And Which? also found this. Its analysis found archery costs between £19 and £26.50 at the UK’s Whinfell Forest park, while it costs £14 at Belgium’s Park de Haan. Similarly, Laser Battle games range in price from £24.50 to £34.50 at Whinfell Forest, and cost £15 at Park de Haan.

Jo Rhodes, deputy editor of Which? Travel, said: “Our research found that it’s well-worth casting your eye beyond the Channel to snap up some significant savings