tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.comments2023-04-26T09:07:28.917+02:00Pensioners Debout! Stand up!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-78086060674161758052015-09-04T17:59:14.063+02:002015-09-04T17:59:14.063+02:00I tried writing to the office responsible for the ...I tried writing to the office responsible for the WFA, explaining in Brittany we have heavy snow and winters can be as low as -11. Fell on deaf ears, I also stated dependencies of France are not in Europe, but as you say this fell on deaf ears. I live alone, on a small pension, topped up by an even smaller Teacher's pension. I came over here because I would have had to sell my house in UK after redundancy and a year trying to find another job, I decided to come to Brittany. I love it here, and would never go back to UK . I won't tell you what I think of IDS, You probably know already, without my WFA I have no idea how I will get through the winter, I have a wood burner, live moderately, no electric, gaz or oil heating. Hope we can get it back.Diggers, Finisterehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15182018253715853540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-88088189260278593252015-02-27T14:27:46.019+01:002015-02-27T14:27:46.019+01:00Nice Info! This is really a nice blog in which you...Nice Info! This is really a nice blog in which you discuss something about pensioners which is really nice.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://eu-italianpassport.com" rel="nofollow">Citizenship with Italy</a></b> | <b><a href="http://eu-italianpassport.com" rel="nofollow">Italian Records</a></b>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783889858211935469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-75327385325341646282015-02-25T09:59:43.977+01:002015-02-25T09:59:43.977+01:00Nice Info! This really a nice blog in which you sh...Nice Info! This really a nice blog in which you shared a topic that is about pensioners which really nice.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://eu-italianpassport.com" rel="nofollow">Citizenship with Italy</a></b> | <b><a href="http://eu-italianpassport.com" rel="nofollow">Italian Records</a></b>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783889858211935469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-37805860396913259702013-12-04T15:37:18.796+01:002013-12-04T15:37:18.796+01:00AS I understand it, if the UK votes to leave the E...AS I understand it, if the UK votes to leave the EU then all expat pensioners living in another EU country would lose the right to free healthcare in that country and they would also lose the annual pension increase. All those not yet of retirement age and working in an EU country would no longer have an automatic right to work there and have to apply for work permits<br />The major factor of the loss of healthcare to pensioners appears to be the fact that anyone with an existing health problem would never be able to afford medical insurance which covered the pre-existing conditionjokamachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10064891067990108854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-14518918932067395762013-11-17T10:07:07.933+01:002013-11-17T10:07:07.933+01:00Thank you for your support - Besides signing the p...Thank you for your support - Besides signing the petition you can also follow www.votes-for-expat-brits.com<br />Further if you give me your email address you can be placed on our circulation listBrian Cave lefourquet@orange.frhttp://pensionersdebout.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-74451766088197072262013-11-17T06:42:05.340+01:002013-11-17T06:42:05.340+01:00I did not realise that there was an e-petition for...I did not realise that there was an e-petition for parliamentary representation for expats in Europe. This is a VERY IMPORTANT e-petition. The British Government is making financial funding changes that essentially are reducing its legal responsibility to British born citizens in Europe in one way or another to save costs ie the healthcare funding as above and the reduction in France of Winter Fuel Allowance based on very dodgy data. I have no-one with whom I can express my views and concerns when the British Government makes changes that directly involve me and my welfare, the welfare of my husband and to the wider community. I feel disenfranchised. Harry Shindler has seriously taken up the cudgel! <br />I came across your blog by accident and am surprised that you are not better known by the expats in France, Debout! Is there any way that you can raise your profile nationwide in France, so that the expat community can become aware of your presence? I am going to post this particular blog in the AngloINFO Normandy site to alert people in my area to this page and reference the e-petition. It may help Harry Shindler’s efforts also.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-40726902169811040342013-11-14T14:22:22.521+01:002013-11-14T14:22:22.521+01:00I have just written to my Oxford MP Nicola Blackwo...I have just written to my Oxford MP Nicola Blackwood, in order to protest at the discriminatory stance of the Conservatives against UK expatriates living in other EU countries. All expats should get themselves on the Overseas Register for the 15 years in which they are currently entitle to vote, in order to reflect their displeasure with this government's policies in the only way that counts i.e. the vote. My email letter is as follows:<br />Nicola Blackwood MP<br /><br />Dear Ms Blackwood,<br /><br />We have corresponded before. I remain one of your constituents in Oxford, as I am entitled to remain on the UK Electoral register for 15 years, even though we live in France. So I continue to have a constituency voice and will use it by voting (I have a proxy for this purpose).<br /><br />Last time I wrote to you I complained that expatriates should potentially lose the vote after 15 years. You sent to me a reply written by the Minister for the Cabinet office, whose answer was that after this period someone was assumed to have no further connection with the UK, and should become a national of the other country if they wanted to vote. This is patently nonsense: I lived and worked in the UK for 35 years, I continue to draw all my pension and property income from the UK, so am fundamentally affected by UK political and economic fortunes. Besides which I remain culturally a UK citizen, and have no intention of ever changing my nationality, even if this means that I lose the right to vote.<br />I think it would be more helpful if the Conservative Party adopted a stance which was more favourable to UK expatriates. A vast majority (like myself) are instinctively conservative, have the vote but are not likely to vote for a Conservative candidate while you continue to adopt and pursue policies so overtly discriminatory as regards UK expatriates. After a lifetime of work in the UK we are entitled to exercise our "freedom of movement" within the EU by living in another EU country, and should not be penalised by your Party in power.<br />I quote another example of your hostile positioning: Iain Duncan Smith is quoted today referring to a "ridiculous" ruling by the European Court of Justice under which winter fuel payments continue to be made to people living across Europe. He appears to be proud that he is now changing regulation in order no longer to make such payments to people in EEA countries "with an average winter temperature higher than the warmest part of the UK". This is patently a "dishonest" point of view. People in France are to be excluded, including myself (despite the fact that I paid my dues for 35 years in the UK), simply because France (for its own political reasons) includes tropical Departments outside Metropolitan France (treated as mainland France) such as Reunion, Martinique, Guadelope, and Guyana (and this boosts "average" temperatures)! But, generally, this is not where the UK expatriate community lives in France, and we experience temperatures comparable to and, indeed, colder than the UK.<br />The Conservatives appear to have lost support in the North of England, but they have potentially 600,000 British expatriates in France to whom they could choose to continue to appeal, if they simply ceased this blatant discrimination. At the moment, I regret you will have lost my vote in the next general election.<br />Yours sincerely.<br /><br /><br />Peter Elliott<br />P Elliotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09575700995004348882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-10472672860831851892013-07-17T15:03:42.766+02:002013-07-17T15:03:42.766+02:00I observe that this clause has no mention of costs...I observe that this clause has no mention of costs. It relates to the provision of the medical treatment. This has to be provided as though one is a French citizen.physical therapist colorado springshttp://www.greatmovesphysicaltherapy.com/physical-therapists/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-68688183213814366062013-07-16T13:18:05.779+02:002013-07-16T13:18:05.779+02:00You take my thoughts too far. The idea of 'exp...You take my thoughts too far. The idea of 'expulsion' has not been raised by me. The conditions of residency would relate to new residents of any nationality. Britons would be as foreign in Europe as<br />Australians or Canadians. Support for them would not come from the State of residence. There could well be difficulties of income coming from the UK, health support, getting jobs, training. Do not imagine that one would be safe as a 'stranger' national from any such niggles. If your became destitute would France etc support you?<br />(N.B. this is not a forum - few comments are published - I would appreciate your understanding.)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-11170351454626305672013-07-16T12:20:03.041+02:002013-07-16T12:20:03.041+02:00I do question some of your statements. Once you ha...I do question some of your statements. Once you have been permanently resident in an EU country for more than 5 years you are then not liable for expulsion unless you commit a serious crime. The changes that this stupid governement would like to bring in regarding the EU would also affect those living in the UK from EU countries. I imagine therefore that some sort of deal would have to be struck.<br />I think that if you fuflfil the residency requirements of 5 years then the state in which you live would have to take you on.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13248337787562337702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-31180413115898993262013-06-14T11:45:09.896+02:002013-06-14T11:45:09.896+02:00The EU Commissioners are appointed by EACH of the ...The EU Commissioners are appointed by EACH of the member States.<br />Therefore BRITAIN appoints certain Commissioners. The expatriate Briton should have the Right to influence the British Government. <br />Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Commission to learn more.<br />The EU Commission is equivalent to the British CABINET on a European scale.<br />No-one elects members to the British Cabinet either. The Euro-Parliament has quite a few powers of election- The Democratic status of the MEPs is not strong enough Why? Because only 34% of the British electorate turned out to vote!!! The vote should/must be used!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-10398728123179963582013-06-14T11:06:23.094+02:002013-06-14T11:06:23.094+02:00A very convincing argument. But tell me when I ge...A very convincing argument. But tell me when I get to vote out the members of the EU Commission, who are the people who steer the EU's policies?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-60637704303069210382013-05-07T13:22:46.421+02:002013-05-07T13:22:46.421+02:00I have also been trying to get a reply from DWPS, ...I have also been trying to get a reply from DWPS, but am being passed round the block with promises of an answer which never materialises. The last response was that the person with whom I was in correspodence, was waiting for a reply from their policy department - that was 3 months ago.It would appear to me that their policy is to avoid saying that I was no t entitled to back payments so that the decicsion could not be challenged. Normally the next step would be to use the press, but unfortunately they have been nobbled and we have already been labelled as greedy expats sitting on their yachts in the Mediterrean sipping champagne cocktails. I am not going to give up on this and any suggestions as to other approaches would be welcome.<br />mikejohnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-46636974762585469352013-04-15T14:28:56.738+02:002013-04-15T14:28:56.738+02:00Im renouncing my citizenship because the governmen...Im renouncing my citizenship because the government will not allow my wife who is form the Philippines to even come and visit me. Im born and bred in the UK. Work full time have no criminal record and an ex serviceman.Yet they refused my legal wife to come and visit me for a few weeks.Seek Christ Onlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08202147423514432515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-83189555055467757102013-03-10T11:42:22.298+01:002013-03-10T11:42:22.298+01:00I always enjoy the articles on your blog, Brian. R...I always enjoy the articles on your blog, Brian. Regarding this one, I notice a big difference in the price of things in our supermarkets here, some products have doubled in price since we moved over 11 years ago.Berylhttp://www.thisfrenchlife.com/deuxsevres/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-57632874179333124822013-01-23T17:53:07.264+01:002013-01-23T17:53:07.264+01:00As always, Brian, your articles and comments are a...As always, Brian, your articles and comments are amusing and to the point and prove how out of touch both the Commons and the 'Lords' are with all of us living away from the 'motherland'. We all want to return - really Baroness Hayter? I was stuck there recently in -10, ice, snow, freezing fog, static queues on English motorways due to the volume of traffic...I couldn't wait to get back to France!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-27536589057045596432012-12-09T12:10:10.002+01:002012-12-09T12:10:10.002+01:00I have received WFP for this year but have been tu...I have received WFP for this year but have been turned down for all the years from 2007 which was the year I became eligible. I did telephone each year during the period when you could claim to be told I wasn't eligible as first claim made once I'd left UK - even though I became a pensioner during my time in the UK. I too feel they should pay up for all the years as my circumstances haven't changed either. Like to hear from others on this. Tongybloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15110703284974972581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-2635275190246934722012-12-09T10:11:12.629+01:002012-12-09T10:11:12.629+01:00Latest news. I have now received wfp for the curre...Latest news. I have now received wfp for the current year and also 1997/8 1998/9 & 1999/2000. As my circustances were exactly the same for the years between these dates, I am going to pusue backpayments for them. I don't believe that the dmp's reliance on out of date claims would stand up in the courts, as it was made impossibe to claim at the time.<br />Has anyone else like "tonyblog" had a claim rejected on thes grounds?<br />Anyone interested in joining me in this? Would like to hear from them.mikejohnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-21216233579668058272012-10-30T16:05:29.604+01:002012-10-30T16:05:29.604+01:00I have just been told by the Department of Health ...I have just been told by the Department of Health that as I was resident in the UK for more than ten years, if I am referred to a hearing specialist by a NHS doctor and the specialist prescribes hearing aids they will be provided free by the NHS. In France you have to pay for them yourself and you will get a derisory payment.<br /><br />Further words fail meRichard Perounoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-12438861644908938592012-10-07T10:26:51.123+02:002012-10-07T10:26:51.123+02:00Couldn't agree more that this is a mess.I don&...Couldn't agree more that this is a mess.I don't know if this would apply to you, but I have found a DMG (decision makers guide) on the dwp website under publicatios, which clearly states that there was no time limit for claims prior to 2000 and that they should be paid providing all other criteria were satisfied. An abortive phone to dwp who denied all knowledge of this. I have written requesting claim forms & enclosing copies. Will keep posted on developments. I suspect they are playing for time in the hope they can wriggle out of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-70165754673534179632012-10-01T14:29:06.212+02:002012-10-01T14:29:06.212+02:00The situation is becoming like something out of Ka...The situation is becoming like something out of Kafka. This morning I received in the mail an application form for the 2012/2013 payment which I have already applied for. I called Nottingham to be told that I'd completed the 'wrong' payment application although when I downloaded it it did state quite clearly 2012!!!! Have duly filled in yet another claim form (my third) and have submitted today. No doubt I'll get it back as completed it in blue ink......Tongybloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15110703284974972581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-77701974172745177542012-09-29T12:25:34.317+02:002012-09-29T12:25:34.317+02:00As someone said a 'b.gg..'s muddle!' ...As someone said a 'b.gg..'s muddle!' I think you will get the 2012 payment which should be paid in late November. If perhaps you had made a claim before last March 30th which at the time would of course had been refused, it is just possible that such a claim would have been awakened by your more recent claim. www.votes-for-expat-brits.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-40380314810265360272012-09-29T12:00:07.978+02:002012-09-29T12:00:07.978+02:00I immediately sent off the application form for th...I immediately sent off the application form for the winter fuel allowance. I fulfill the criteria i.e. borne before 1957, in receipt of a UK old age pension. I have just got a letter back from them the date on it is Sept 12th 2012 (which I understood was the deadline for applications) it says the following: Thank you for your claim for winter fuel payment. I am wqriting to tell you that you are not entitled to this payment. This is because your claim was received after 30 March, following the winter for which you have claimed. So that puts paid to 2011. I have yet to receive a response about the 2012 payment. But suspect I'll get a similar reply although they had my application in good time. I will post it when received. Mad as hell now. Tongybloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15110703284974972581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-86707236786922607102012-09-11T13:30:08.017+02:002012-09-11T13:30:08.017+02:00re winter fuel payments
I have written to The Conn...re winter fuel payments<br />I have written to The Connection France who indicated that its content might be of interest to you. I pointed out that if it is legal in 2012 it must surely have been since its inception. Backpayments???<br />I am writing to Steve Webb who was very helpful concerning retrospective NI contributions, let's see if he is as forthcoming in government as in opposition!!<br />I will post a copy of my letter and reply when available<br />mikejohn (manche)mikejohnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180510102149409012.post-27615169365726405032012-08-31T17:44:14.145+02:002012-08-31T17:44:14.145+02:00Anonymous comments are normally deleted.
One shoul...Anonymous comments are normally deleted.<br />One should look at other postings on this site to understand more fully the arguments for developing a truly democratic system in Europe. If we do not strengthen democracy the way is open for dictatorship.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06050379982381080678noreply@blogger.com