Starting a new life overseas can be unsettling when loved ones and creature comforts are left in Blighty, and it’s easy to feel a long way from home. Whilst many people are happy to escape the British weather, new research from Abbey National Offshore reveals that the way to the British heart, even when abroad, is through the stomach. Almost half (42 per cent) of British people would miss Sunday roasts above all other UK food if they were to move to faraway shores. The only thing they would miss more is their family.

A cup of tea (37 per cent) and traditional fish and chips (34 per cent) also rank high on the list of food people would miss the most if they moved abroad. Twenty nine per cent would feel unhappy if they couldn’t have an English breakfast, whilst others would miss chocolate (20 per cent), baked beans (12 per cent), curry (10 per cent) and crisps (10 per cent).

Top ten ‘What Brits miss’ list:

• Family & friends - 72%
• Sunday roast - 42%
• Tea - 37%
• English breakfast - 29%
• Marks and Spencer - 27%
• Tesco - 26%
• TV soap operas - 24%
• British comedy - 20%
• Pubs - 20%
• Chocolate - 20%

On a more serious note, Brits moving abroad also need to think about their finances. A massive 81 per cent2 of people fail to consider their banking needs prior to moving overseas and only one in five (19 per cent) spare a thought for tax issues. This is due to 60 per cent of the UK not understanding the benefits of offshore banking. Not having a suitable bank account in a foreign country can prove expensive, as can paying household bills, withdrawing cash and many other financial transactions.

The research also shows that people living abroad would pine for British entertainment. Almost one in four (24 per cent) respondents admit that they’d miss their favourite TV soaps such as Eastenders and Coronation Street if they left the UK, whilst 20 per cent would long for a quick fix of British comedy. A further 17 per cent would miss British news and current affairs programmes and 14 per cent would miss documentaries. Detective dramas would be missed by eight per cent and just three per cent would long for the abundance of hospital dramas.

For entertainment outside the home, the traditional pub ranks high on the list of what Brits miss, with one in five (20 per cent) claiming they would pine for their local. Leisure activities that would be missed include the theatre (10 per cent), watching live sport (10 per cent), having a restaurant meal (eight per cent) and visiting museums and art galleries (six per cent).

There are, however, some things people wouldn’t miss. Top of the list, without too much surprise, is the unpredictable British weather (47 per cent). In joint second place are traffic congestion and Members of Parliament (both 38 per cent). From an entertainment perspective, one in three (33 per cent) would not miss reality TV shows and the UK’s obsession with celebrities (30 per cent).

Malcolm Corrigan, Abbey National Offshore said: "Moving abroad is a very big step and there are many things to consider. Whilst many people realise how much they’ll miss their home comforts, many fail to consider some other important decisions altogether, including their banking arrangements. It’s very easy to lose sight of the practicalities when you are caught up in the excitement of the move, but it’s something you might regret later if you end up losing out financially."