Crime, taxes may force many Britons to leave

London, April 16 (IANS) Crumbling road and rail networks, high rate of crime and rising taxes may force at least 500,000 wealthy Britons to leave the country in the next two years, a study has revealed.

More than half a million wealthy Britons are expected to move abroad in the next two years, the Daily Mail reported citing the study by Lloyds TSB International Wealth.

Around 19 percent of people with savings and investments worth more than 250,000 pounds are considering a new life overseas.

The figures suggested that around 500,000 people with that level of personal wealth may leave the country in the next two years.

Improving the infrastructure -- such as roads, railways and communications networks -- is seen as the most important way to make Britain a more attractive place to live. Around 61 percent of wealthy people choose this option.

Lowering taxes and improving public services like healthcare, education and police were all important for the people surveyed.

Crime and anti-social behaviour was chosen by 56 percent people as the reason to contemplate leaving the country.

But a majority of 62 percent wealthy people said they were happy living in Britain.