‘It’s one big cesspit here’: Thurrock, the country’s capital of misery

It finished last in the government's wellbeing survey, but what do Thurrock's residents really think about their home borough

Dr Dillner’s health dilemmas: should you stick to the use-by dates on food?

With more than a million cases of food poisoning in the UK each year, it pays to be careful about what you eat

Store Wars: Sports Direct and Decathlon

Each week we look at retailers competing in similar sectors. This week we pit Sports Direct and Decathlon against one another

This column will change your life: use cash, save money

Is it time to abandon your credit card, asks Oliver Burkeman

Notre Dame sues US government over contraception mandate

Catholic university in South Bend, Indiana, claims government's birth control mandate conflicts with religious teachings

Sandwich labels misleading consumers

Tesco, Aldi, Caffe Nero and Greggs criticised by Which? for failing to print 'traffic-light labelling' on the front of packs

Does job insecurity make you less likely to take sick leave?

Open thread: Sick days are on the decline and it has been suggested that recent falls are linked to the recession. Tell us your experiences

Are no-contract gyms the future of fitness?

Money worries and unfair membership contracts are contributing to the growth in no-contract, pay-as-you-work-out gyms, says Rachel Platt

A working life: the sleep disorder specialist

A sleep disorder where you kick or snore your way through the night can drive people to the verge of divorce. Meet Dr Peter Venn whose mission is to restore peace

Chronic lack of sleep affects one in three British workers

Exhausted UK staff are putting their jobs before their health, warns study