Why is the UK so much more expensive than the rest of Europe?

I just can't understand how a country can be twice as expensive than its neighbours. Cigarettes in the UK cost an average of 9 Euros, in continental Europe it's 4 Euros. Alcohol is nearly 3 times as expensive in the UK, food is extortionate, accommodation is unpayable. And property prices are unbelievable, yet British houses are built to a much poorer standard than those found in continental Western Europe. How do you British put up with it? You live in such a beautiful country, few countries can match the beauty of the UK, yet the average UK household is in 20000 Euros of debt (excluding mortgages). Your standard of living is dropping the fastest of all EU countries, because the debt crisis is starting to come back and haunt you. I hope it gets better for you soon, I'd love to buy a house in England because the countryside is so beautiful, but I'd never be able to afford it.