The future for The British Citizen if the vote should fall for Brexit.

The Prime Minister speaks forcibly to The Telegraph. Read https://goo.gl/fWpvUK

Mr.Cameron in the above speaks of Trade.  What is written below is from the viewpoint of a Citizen who was born in 1932.  I remember years of poverty before WWII  even as far back as the jubilee of King George V, the grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II, when as a four year old I danced round a celebratory bonfire singing the song of  the Boy Scouts in charge ‘There may be flies on you you you, but the’re no flies on us”.   Within a few years those Scouts were fighting for European civilisation.

I voted in the Referendum of 1975 and knew quite well what we were voting for.

Since the terrible times of 1939-1945 much has changed.  I took advantage of the European Union to retire to live in France.  I celebrate the cementing of European Culture across the nation states.  During my time I have had more irritation with British bureaucratic intransigence than with the French.  What follows is a view of the problems facing those who would follow in our paths.

The Generations of British Citizens to come who might wish to live in other EU States.

Jobs.  Those seeking to be employed would have to obtain some form of work permit. Unskilled workers would find it extremely hard to establish themselves, if it were at all possible. Those wishing to set up businesses – perhaps as plumbers or other technical craftsmen would find it near impossible.

Money exchange – There would be no guarantee that State pensions would be paid without  change -  British Law – The Pension Act 2014 clause 20 - permits the Minister of DWP to freeze pensions paid to citizens who live abroad. The clause was included despite protests.

All money transfers -The individual EU States could impose a tax on money coming from the UK.  It has happened before. 

The British Government could impose ceilings on money going abroad – it has done so before – Mrs Thatcher removed such a ceiling.

Without the protection afforded by EU regulations nothing is certain.  This will be labelled scare mongering by Brexiteers – but what is certain is the uncertainty. If Brexit should fall, all would depend on negotiations between the UK and the other 27 States, taking years.

Uncertainty will cause the value of the £ to fall.

Possibilities of other restrictions.  With the lifting of the protection of the EU regulations, each EU State is able to act independently.  This opens the way for restrictions to be imposed on Bank accounts of foreigners or on their property or any other discriminatory taxes and laws, without any EU wide protection..  The incipient freedom to open UK based bank accounts and use UK financial institutions would falter.

Medical Care.  Again it is the EU regulation [883/2004] which establishes the right to provision of health care across the EU.  This is at two levels.

1. The European Health Insurance Card –EHIC .  This is issued by the citizen’s ‘Competent State’ for Social Security to all travellers within the EU and entitles such to any emergency treatment for visitors in another State. This would cease.

2. The treatment for resident pensioners and their dependents.  The Medical care is given as though one is a national of the State where the Citizen is resident but the cost of that is borne by the NHS. – (i.e the Social Security of the ‘Competent State’).

Visa requirements  As happens now with Americans who wish to reside in France et alia,  immigrants (for that is what future citizens would be) would be required to demonstrate financial stability. This can affect accompanying spouses and the visits of Family and Friends.  Visas often have time limits.

Citizenship.  The possibility of voting for and serving on local communal councils will cease.  British citizens will no longer be considered as normal members of the community. This will cause changes of approach at any public department where  public servants operate.

Border checks.  British Citizens would have to pass through NON-EU gates at the EU borders which would be likely to prove onerous with more detailed inspection.

Nationality British Citizens would cease to be European Citizens protected under EU law. They would be immigrants and foreigners. Britons living abroad could apply for nationality of  the country in which they reside, but it is an expensive and lengthy process and Austria does not permit dual citizenship. Surrendering British Nationality would be foolish.

Brian Cave with the help of Frank Jackson.

British Pensioners in Europe and beyond - An Analysis.

British Pensioners in Europe and beyond – An Analysis.

The emigration of pensioners to Europe and beyond.

 The countries coloured Blue are in the EU.  Those without star *  have pensions frozen at the time the recipient emigrated.  

Of  the 12,955,300 Citizens who receive the UK State Pension, by 2015 - 1,230,390 live outside the UK. That is 9.5%. 

QUESTIONS………………….

1. Why do the pensioners emigrate? 
2. Why has the numbers generally flattened off since 2011?
3. Is this emigration of advantage or not to the British Economy?
4. What are the advantages or disadvantages to the pensioners in emigrating?
5. Why have the numbers in Pakistan and Jamaica fallen so much?
6. And why have they fallen in Australia and Canada and South Africa?  - And Italy?
7. Why have the numbers risen so much in N.Z., Ireland and France between 2008 - 2014? Why the increase to India – a frozen pension country?

Suggestions for the answers – derived from anecdotal evidence.

1.  Why do the pensioners emigrate? 

            It varies –

Often the housing costs are considerably cheaper.  (Much of Europe,)

Some are joining children who have previously emigrated. (Australia, Canada)

Some are returning to the land of their birth. (India? Jamaica? Ireland? )

Summer weather/climate is drier and warmer  (Much of  Europe)

The countries of retirement are English Speaking  (Ireland, N.Z. etc)

There is more space and a less hectic way of life (Much of Europe).

The desire for new adventure while there is still time -- 

Exposure to a different culture ,and, learning a new language, broadening experience

Some dislike of changes in the UK, especially any which restrict their lives.

2. Why has the numbers generally flattened off since 2011?

The threatening approach of a possible Brexit? (All Europe curves). The Times journal 29/03/16 reports that ‘a hundred a day are returning to the UK from Spain’.

See also Italy q.7 below. Austerity?

Remembering that everyone has a certain life-span.  The increase in numbers represents additions minus deaths.  It is likely that a ceiling in the curve of those emigrating would be reached. However note the countries where the %’s fall.
Further a slight addition could be of those who have achieved pensionable age whilst living abroad.

3.  Is this emigration of advantage or not to the British Economy?

.Positive  - The pensioners do not use the physical facilities of the NHS, even though those in Europe get some payment of their medical care.  Those far from Europe get no support.

They free up some housing stock.

They do not use the free bus passes and TV licences which saves money.

Many have UK based investments, benefiting the economy, and could and would  do so more if the UK Government made it easier.

Negative – Their pensions are not all spent in the UK economy.

4. What are the advantages or disadvantages to the pensioners in emigrating?

Positive – as listed generally in answer to 1.

Negative – Lack of any voice at all at the political level – leading to no voice in the manner and use of UK investments.

A feeling of almost total neglect or lack of interest in them by the British Government.

In certain countries the pension falls in value year by year as it is frozen.

5. Why have the numbers in Pakistan and Jamaica fallen so much?

Possibly the standard of living and Governance of these countries is a problem. Pakistan also has a frozen pension regime.

6. And why have they fallen in Australia and Canada and South Africa?.

The freezing of the State pension is a very likely cause.

And Italy?  Uncertain – The fears of a Brexit seem most likely.

7. Why have the numbers risen so much in N.Z., Ireland and France between 2008-2014?

N.Z. provides pensions which supplement the frozen UK pension and it is a very ‘English’ country.

Ireland is almost certainly the birth-land or ancestral land of many UK State pensioners. It has more space and in many ways is so similar to England.

France is adjacent to England and there is easy access to family and friends, within a short time travel.

India has a steadily rising economy, but is at present an economical country. It has little religious friction, and would be attractive to retiring ‘British’ Indians, who have done well in the UK.

Postscript –  It can be argued that it is in the interest of the British economy to encourage the pensioners to retire abroad (q.v. 3 above).  It is unfortunate that the Government puts difficulties in their way with regard to investing in British enterprises, and financial institutions. Many (especially in the EU) buy goods from the UK.

The figures are all derived from published Government Statistics on the State pension.

The effects of a Brexit

         On British Citizens in other States of the European Union.

1.  The effect of a Brexit could be alarming.  The following are possibilities.  One cannot say anything is certain - indeed the uncertainty is the most unsettling aspect.

At root all Britons without dual nationality would become foreigners in the EU State in which they live. As foreign as Americans, or Brazilians or from anywhere else.

Any protection enjoyed  under EU law would cease.

In consequence for those who are retired - The existing EU regulation which protects receipt of UK State pensions and benefits would cease to have effect.  [The Winter Fuel Payment ( an OLD_AGE benefit under EU law) restriction is currently being challenged legally. Following a Brexit, it could not even be challenged!]  - e.g. potential receipts of attendance allowance or any other social benefits from the UK would stop. The UK would have the power to modify the receipt of State pensions in Europe and even freeze them - i.e stop annual increments.  Clause 20 of The Pension Act 2014 specifically allows for this (annual rises can be stopped for pensioners resident abroad).

States have the power to impose any law of their own on 'foreigners' i.e in this case of Brexit, British Citizens, without constraint from the EU - what laws, for example?  There was a time (pre EU)  when France taxed capital being brought into the country.  The current challenge brought about by a Dutchman ( M. de Ruyter) which has challenged the imposition of CSG etc (social taxes) might not apply to the non-EU citizens.  France etc. could impose any law it wished on non-EU citizen held bank accounts. 
Conversely, there was a time when one could take out only a small sum of money from the UK, the amount was entered in the pages of the passport (M.Thatcher changed that rule).  One can scorn such suggestions, but there would be no protection from the EU regulations, which would not apply.

*******************

You could not vote for your local Commune Councillors. One could not be a commune councillor.  [The current system whereby one cannot vote for any other level of the legislature would never be changed - If  the UK remains in the EU then such changes could at some time be achieved - but never if the UK  leaves.]

You could not vote for an MEP.  The existing EU law which entitles you to vote for an English speaking MEP is prevented for many of us because we have not a VOTE under UK law. [Again change is very necessary but it will never happen if the UK leaves.]
 

At present one can easily order goods from the UK.  This freedom could stop - At present some idiotic organisations in the UK put difficulties in the way by, for instance, refusing to honour your credit card.  This is contrary to the spirit of EU regs. It should be changed but it never will if Brexit happened.
There would be nothing to prevent the imposition of French duty on imported goods from the UK.
Again the UK financial institutions are not honouring the EU regs on freedom of movement of capital and services by not allowing one to open a UK onshore bank account or investing in certain accounts and saving opportunities - Again these activities, although not happening should happen but if Brexit comes, there is very little chance of it ever getting sorted. It is another instance of the the UK dragging its heels on EU matters.

The inheritance law changes which have come about under EU rulings, whereby nationals could have they inheritance following the rules of their Nation State. could be scrapped.  The UK has shown itself not that keen on the changes.
****
One would need some form of residency card. 
Freshly arrived citizens would need to prove they are financially solvent or they won't get a residency card.
 

The SI system of health support for retired people from the UK would cease.  At the moment every item of medical treatment for an SI holder which would be paid by the French State as to a French Citizen is sent to the NHS for reimbursement.  Indeed every centime.  Similar rules apply in all EU States. I sought information on this and had an itemised report on my own treatments sent to me from London.  i.e. it is very likely that this health support would cease.  One might well need full health insurance cover. Without EU protection all is uncertain.
 

The CPAM Carte Vitale could well be withdrawn - unless you have paid or are paying into the system, or been resident for some time, i.e. normally working.  At the moment new younger residents [and early retirees] arriving from the UK get two years grace and then the Carte vitale is removed if they have not established themselves in some form.
It could be that in the case of a Brexit that as one would have been an established permanent resident for a number of years, then one might be accepted for such a reason to continue in the system of the Resident State without the financial support from the UK.  That would be expensive for the Resident State Such a State may seek different ways of getting some form of financial compensatory support - who can say?
 

Some form of work permits would be needed for younger people who seek work or wish to set up their own businesses. Remember they would be foreigners.

British Students can at present get support to study in EU universities [The Erasmus Scheme]. That would cease.
 

The passports would need to be changed.  Border controls between the UK and Europe could well be tightened in both directions.
Then one asks, what be the effect on the many tens of thousands of French citizens and others living in London and neighbourhood? That must be worrying them.

Lastly one asks what nuance of change of attitudes between our French (or other) neighbours and ourselves could appear?  - Who knows - Think of our children in French schools,  or employers of British Citizens, or the fonctionnaires (civil servants).

The EU surely needs to change but it is up to us to help the EU evolve.  It won't be possible if Brexit comes about.

2....I am asked -- Do I see any advantages for the residents in the UK?
A stability in the population possibly?  Even that is far from sure.  There would be a hope that pressure on housing, schools, the NHS might ease.
But when we see pictures of Romanian 'immigrants' working in hop fields or pulling leeks in Lincolnshire - how many are truly permanent immigrants? 
Looking at the French in London - French schools exist there; they are young and not so likely to have great demands on the NHS - except perhaps the maternity services.  These are slightly cynical remarks but the demography of the migrant movements are different between the nationalities. 
It is a most dreadfully complicated situation.  I suspect that for many people, possibly with little understanding. immigration in Britain is confusing - the Pakistani/Indian influx is confused with European Romanian influx and the refugee crisis and the EU gets blame where it is not guilty. Much of the immigration is the consequences of actions by the UK Governments.  Greater control of about 50% of the migrants is possible because they are not Europeans.
3. Some claim that under the the terms of the Vienna Convention on International Treaties between States concerning 'Acquired Rights' that all  European expats would be protected. BUT-- France has not signed to that treaty, and neither it seems has the EU. The EU is not a State but a co-ordination structure between States of the Union.
Here are points of view from two lawyers who have been informally consulted.

---How would an acquired right be defined in this context e.g. would an expat Brit have an acquired and vested right of residency if he/she had lived three months/three years/five years or longer in the another EU country?  When would reciprocal healthcare rights be acquired and vested?

How would you enforce rights under the Vienna Convention - which courts?  Unlike EU law, the Vienna Convention does not create direct rights that can be invoked by individuals. 

The EU regulations  are not treaties but co-ordinating measures between States. The Vienna Convention is only concerned with rights acquired under treaties.---

 
If the 69,000 retired brits in France (about 450,000 reside in other EU States) returned it would have a major effect on the UK economy - you can imagine the difficult situation both for the returnees and certain public services. 
 

I suspect that it is in the interest of the UK economy to encourage more retired people to leave for Europe, and to actively foster their support.
 

Reduction  of the freedom of European movement and of European services will not benefit any existing resident in the UK - quite the reverse.
The concepts of 'controlling our borders' or 'making our own laws' is to some degree misleading.  The UK makes 83% of its own laws entirely concerned with governance of  the UK.   The EU Commission makes regulations which concern the co-ordinated economy and social life of  a developing Europe not detailed laws on the internal management of the UK or any other State.
 

Internationally minded industrial firms are spreading across the EU - French firms in Romania - Even French firms in the UK like EDF.  A Brexit,  could isolate Britain. The stock market values of many European firms are doing reasonably well, though wobbling about in the current global economic crisis.  Ones which are chiefly UK based are not any better and even  oscillating more coarsely.
 

If Brexit occurred no doubt some sort of patchwork lawmaking would occur to alleviate the pain for some of us.  It could be that if Brexit does not occur, then it is possible that some form of  'closer union' will occur. The UK might even adopt the Euro in say 50 years or sooner.  But for success, the people will have to take a much greater interest in electing wise and intelligent politicians (statesmen) to the European parliament and national governments to make it all work. There needs to be a closer dialogue between the citizens and the politicians at European level.  Oddly in the UK the close link between the MPs and the citizen, via 'surgeries' is most valuable and tends to be much more vague under the Euopean system of electing 'teams' and 'lists'.
Democracy will have to spread much more widely through the EU migrant and indigenous populations. There are millions who have migrated around the EU, all EU citizens. Few of them and above all the British citizens are adequately represented by any government.

The Drawbridge Effect --- The Future for others
As for future generations of British Citizens wishing to work or live in other EU States, the drawbridge of a Brexit may have been drawn up and they will not be able to avail themselves of the advantages of which some of us had been able to enjoy. Pensioners would be impeded for financial reasons from retiring to live in EU States. Younger citizens would be impeded in seeking work, and even more so in establishing new enterprises  or studying in such States.

Two years of Grace?
There would be two years after a Brexit were announced in which re-organisation is achieved.  That suggests that nothing much would occur in that period.

An Upgrade for British State Pensioners.

Important News for British State Pensioners.

Pensioners who were born before 6 April 1951 (6 April 1953 for women) now have a limited period in which to boost their entitlement to their current state pension.  They will be able to buy extra entitlements to their state pension of up to £1300 a year, for life. This will be achieved by making a lump sum payment in the form of voluntary class 3A NIC, between 12 October 2015 and 5 April 2017.

The exact amount that needs to be paid to receive each extra £1 per week of pension depends on the individual’s age at the time they make the payment. There is a table on page 5 of the state pension top-up factsheet, and an online calculator on Gov.uk to help with this calculation.

The ability to top-up the state pension may be particularly useful for women who have taken breaks from employment during their working lives, and for the self-employed with similarly patchy NIC records. Married couples will need to decide which person should make the top-up payment, as an income will be paid to a surviving spouse (or civil partner) of at least 50% of the topped-up amount.

Note the paragraph about customers (they mean pensioners) living overseas on page 3 of the factsheet.

State pension top-up factsheet

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/414708/factsheet-top-up.pdf

State pension top-up calculator for class 3A contributions

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-topup

The first condition for the top-up is that the pensioner must already be in receipt of a UK state retirement pension.
  To register an interest:

email: paid.caxtonhouse@dwp.gsi.gov.uk or
tel: 0345 6004270

It will be important to register an interest as there will be no doubt an online system to make the payment that may require a person to prove identity. That might be more tricky for someone who lives outside of the UK. 

[Example - A male at the age of 83 could pay £11,350. IF he lives 15 years he would receive back a total of  £19,500 plus inflation increases on top. 
If his wife lives on, she would continue to receive at least 50% of the sum. The lump sum payable goes down as one ages and is also related to one's sex.]

Brian Cave
le Fourquet, Gourdon, 46300, France

http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/  

-Votes for Britons  -http://votes-for-expat-brits.com     

The UK is Wrong to stop me voting

Within the last  few days (May 7th 2015) I have received copies of complaints from people about the non-reception of voting papers from as far apart as California, Massachusetts,  Norway,  and of course France and Spain.  The forum site SFN is loaded with more.  Why do people want to vote? The passion to do so is clear.  Yet so many politicians in the UK and so many residents there say ‘You have left the country – you don’t deserve to vote.’

A number of those who write to me are young and clearly intelligent.  They have the desire to see that Britain is a country of which they can be proud.  Oddly that archaic institution, The Royal Family, is the focus of so much of this pride.  At a dinner of expats the other day, most of whom could not vote because like me we left the UK over 15 years ago, the meal was interrupted with the cry ‘It’s a girl!’ and glasses were raised to Kate and her baby.  Why cannot the idiots at home realise that we, the citizens abroad, are all ambassadors of the British Nation!  It is we who foster the good will of the country. The ‘country?’ whatever that is – arises from the stupid confusion in the use of words.  We are not a country – hills and towns, a little offshore set of islands.  We are a Nation - a people of a common culture.  Just as the French are a Nation with a shared culture. And as the French passionately hold onto that culture wherever they live so do the British.  Whatever a Nation’s Government does in the world affects each and every citizen.  The Government acts in the name of ALL the citizens.  We are today no longer ‘subjects’ of that Royal Institution that we so much respect but ‘citizens’ with a shared interest in the welfare of  us all. 

Naturally, many of us have material interests for why citizens abroad want a say in the development of the UK.  All of us, young and retired, may wish or need to return.  We need a sound NHS and all the social support systems to be good.  For many, our income is based in the UK. Many are taxed in the UK. Most of us, of all ages, have family at ‘home’ and we have a care for them, for their welfare and education. Our lives depend on treaties between the States – A BREXIT could be a disaster.

For all these reasons we desire the vote.  But do you get the impression, as I do, that most Parties seek power for their own interest rather than the interest of the voter?

I hope that is a false impression, we need the Party in power to act with thoughts for the citizens everywhere. Yet have you heard any of them during this campaign utter a word of concern for the Citizen abroad? – We may be expatriates (out of the homeland), but by no means are we ex-patriots.

Brian Cave, a leading campaigner in the team for UK expat rights whose website is www.votes-for-expat-brits.com, explains why it is important to him to be able to vote even though he has lived abroad for many years

WITHIN the last few days I have received copies of complaints from people about the non-reception of voting papers from as far apart as California, Massachusetts, Norway and, of course, France and Spain.

The Connexion and expat forums have had even more.

So, why do people who no longer live in the UK still want to vote? The passion to do so is clear. Yet so many politicians in the UK and so many residents there say “You have left the country – you don’t deserve to vote.”

A number of those who write to me are young and clearly intelligent. They have the desire to see that Britain is a country of which they can be proud. Oddly, that archaic institution the Royal Family is the focus of so much of this pride.

At a recent dinner of expats, most of whom could not vote because like me we left the UK over 15 years ago, the meal was interrupted with the cry ‘It’s a girl!’ and glasses were raised to Kate and her baby.

Why cannot those at home realise that we, the citizens abroad, are all ambassadors of the British nation? It is we who foster the goodwill of the country.

The ‘country?’ - whatever that is. We are not a country – hills and towns, a little offshore set of islands. We are a nation - a people of a common culture. Just as the French are a nation with a shared culture. And as the French passionately hold on to that culture wherever they live so do the British.

Whatever a nation’s government does in the world affects each and every citizen. The government acts in the name of ALL the citizens.

We are today no longer ‘subjects’ of that Royal Institution that we so much respect but ‘citizens’ with a shared interest in the welfare of us all.

Naturally, many of us have material interests as to why citizens abroad want a say in the development of the UK. All of us, young and retired, may wish or need to return.

We need a sound NHS and for all the social support systems to be good. For many, our income is based in the UK. Many are taxed in the UK.

Most of us, of all ages, have family at ‘home’ and we care for them, for their welfare and education. Our lives depend on treaties between the States – a BREXIT could be a disaster.

For all these reasons we desire the vote. But do you get the impression, as I do, that most parties seek power for their own interest rather than the interest of the voter?

I hope that is a false impression, we need the party in power to act with thoughts for the citizens everywhere.

Yet have you heard any of them during this campaign utter a word of concern for the citizen abroad?

We may be expatriates (‘out of the homeland’), but by no means are we ex-patriots.
- See more at: http://www.connexionfrance.com/campaigner-Brian-Cave-expat-rights-vote-election-16926-view-article.html#sthash.Ebi4IyaW.dpuf

Brian Cave, a leading campaigner in the team for UK expat rights whose website is www.votes-for-expat-brits.com, explains why it is important to him to be able to vote even though he has lived abroad for many years

WITHIN the last few days I have received copies of complaints from people about the non-reception of voting papers from as far apart as California, Massachusetts, Norway and, of course, France and Spain.

The Connexion and expat forums have had even more.

So, why do people who no longer live in the UK still want to vote? The passion to do so is clear. Yet so many politicians in the UK and so many residents there say “You have left the country – you don’t deserve to vote.”

A number of those who write to me are young and clearly intelligent. They have the desire to see that Britain is a country of which they can be proud. Oddly, that archaic institution the Royal Family is the focus of so much of this pride.

At a recent dinner of expats, most of whom could not vote because like me we left the UK over 15 years ago, the meal was interrupted with the cry ‘It’s a girl!’ and glasses were raised to Kate and her baby.

Why cannot those at home realise that we, the citizens abroad, are all ambassadors of the British nation? It is we who foster the goodwill of the country.

The ‘country?’ - whatever that is. We are not a country – hills and towns, a little offshore set of islands. We are a nation - a people of a common culture. Just as the French are a nation with a shared culture. And as the French passionately hold on to that culture wherever they live so do the British.

Whatever a nation’s government does in the world affects each and every citizen. The government acts in the name of ALL the citizens.

We are today no longer ‘subjects’ of that Royal Institution that we so much respect but ‘citizens’ with a shared interest in the welfare of us all.

Naturally, many of us have material interests as to why citizens abroad want a say in the development of the UK. All of us, young and retired, may wish or need to return.

We need a sound NHS and for all the social support systems to be good. For many, our income is based in the UK. Many are taxed in the UK.

Most of us, of all ages, have family at ‘home’ and we care for them, for their welfare and education. Our lives depend on treaties between the States – a BREXIT could be a disaster.

For all these reasons we desire the vote. But do you get the impression, as I do, that most parties seek power for their own interest rather than the interest of the voter?

I hope that is a false impression, we need the party in power to act with thoughts for the citizens everywhere.

Yet have you heard any of them during this campaign utter a word of concern for the citizen abroad?

We may be expatriates (‘out of the homeland’), but by no means are we ex-patriots.
- See more at: http://www.connexionfrance.com/campaigner-Brian-Cave-expat-rights-vote-election-16926-view-article.html#sthash.Ebi4IyaW.dpuf

British Pensioners - Emigration.

EMIGRATION of British STATE PENSIONERS

The figures for August 2014 have just been published..

http://83.244.183.180/100pc/sp/cccountry/cnage/a_carate_r_cccountry_c_cnage_aug14.html

The table condenses the movement of the last three years. The  countries with a * do not have the UK pensions frozen.  A blue background indicates members of the EU. 

Further on is a graph of the movement towards EU countries.

The table is ‘sorted’ in order of the countries which have received the greatest number of immigrants down to the most withdrawal.  Note that Ireland has had the greatest number of recipients. In Ireland of course English is spoken – they can vote for the Irish Government and in effect can easily be assimilated. 

France and New Zealand come next  .  Although the UK pension  is frozen in NZ, the NZ Government awards a Social Security support and accepts the UK N.I. history as a basis for such payments.  

 

The fall in the number receiving the British Pension in Australia and Canada (and S.Africa.?) must be in part due to the Frozen Pension condition.  The small increase in India may have something to do with the rapidly increasing standard of living there and the affluence of returning Indians from the UK?   Jamaica on the other hand is a poor country?

 Click on the image to enlarge and 'esc' to return.

Liars - Damned Liars and benders of the truth - & the Department of Work & Pensions

There are Liars, Damned Liars, and the manipulation of statistics 
by the UK Dept of Work & Pensions

encouraged by the Daily Mail

THE WINTER FUEL PAYMENT

Truth about Winters in Europe –

British Elderly Citizens in Europe are Cold. Cold cold…..

“Just as I was yesterday, I am typing Emails sitting up in bed. I am  fully clothed in three jumpers, two pairs of trousers and a track suit.  My dear husband, similarly dressed, is tucked up beside me

“I am having to survive on my pension of £5300 per year. I have several friends here who all get the allowance (THE WFP) – note she did not.

“when we arrived in France aged 60, we were in good health.  However, as the years go on, many of us are beset by various illnesses and the frailty of old age.  I have had several operations and many investigations in hospital for various internal and ophthalmic problems.  My husband had a hip replacement three years ago and two other operations since then.  He was diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago, for which he is being treated with chemotherapy.   I am, of course, at the age of 77, his only carer.  To read more go to http://www.lefourquet.net/Hardup-dossier.doc

France and Spain and of course the rest of Europe are frequently colder than Britain in Winter . Britain ‘enjoys’ the warming effect of the Gulf Stream

See this map for 3.00 a.m. on the 30^th December 2014

(map complied at the Climate Unit- the University of Maine – published every day)

What follows is an edited form of a deeper analysis of the manipulation by the DWP, of the true statistics by a colleague Roger Boaden – The original is here www.lefourquet.net/HOT&COLD.docx

The untruths of the Dept of Work and Pensions.

The DWP claim that France and Spain are HOT countries in the winter!

The Daily Mail reports and relishes, nay even gloats over the plight of British Citizen Pensioners in France and Spain  - visit www.lefourquet.net/DailyMailWFP12-14.docx

How the DWP promotes its untruths.

The UK’s Met Office produced a report (Dec 2012) for the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP), which listed temperatures for the countries identified above, as follows:

Ireland:                  5.5°C  

United Kingdom:    4.1°C               SW England:    5.6°C  

Italy:                      5.7°C  

France:                  4.9°C

France after

      Adjustment:      7.0°C   + including tropical island temperatures from Caribbean & Indian Ocean

Spain:                    7.2°C

Spain after

      Adjustment:      7.3°C   + including the archipelago of the Canary Islands

[NOTE WELL -- all of the above listed temperatures fall below 8°C]

This figure of 8.0°C is significant. A UK Government publication, ‘Cold Weather Plan for England 2014’ states the following:  ‘…. the negative health effects of cold weather start to occur at relatively moderate mean outdoor temperatures (5-8°C depending on region), and days at these temperatures occur much more frequently than days where the temperature is 2°C or less.’  And then the Cold Weather Plan goes on to say:  ‘Heating your home to at least 18°C is particularly important if you have reduced mobility, are 65 and over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease. Having room temperatures slightly over 18°C could be good for your health.’

So how come some countries have been declared ‘Hot’?

The statements in above cited official UK Government Publication are clear - if you have outdoor temperatures of less than 8°C, then you need indoor heating to the level of 18°C!  That same assessment concerning risks to health must surely be applicable for ALL British Pensioners wherever they may live!

Not it seems, a view shared by the DWP!  Ministers have declared France and Spain as ‘hot’ countries where elderly British Pensioners do not need heat during the winter months.  The word ‘hot’ is just not true. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, have both made statements concerning the Winter Fuel Payments, which said: “… people in hot countries will no longer get it. It is, after all, a payment for winter fuel.”  How do you heat a home without winter fuel?  The elderly in France and Spain and further off in Europe need winter heating!

So, how is Winter defined?

The DWP decided that the temperatures they have used, had to be based on their definition of winter of 1 November to 31^st March - 151 days - instead of the normal definition of winter, which is recognised right across the World as December to February (DJF) - 90 days. One quarter of the year

DWP has classified as ‘hot’ an average winter temperature of 7.0°C covering the complete period of 151 days.  In order for such a level of average temperatures to be realised, there will be many days on which temperatures fall well below that level of 7.0 degrees during five months!  And, as a direct consequence, the overall average is in fact increased, making it appear warmer.

What lies behind this decision of the DWP?

Is it not obvious, that the policy objective of Iain Duncan Smith, was to remove Winter Fuel Payments from the maximum possible number of British Pensioners. British Pensioners are British Pensioners, wherever they may live, and they should all be treated in exactly the same way, and with an equality of care!

British Expat Pensioners are a far too easy a target for Ministers to attack, and we can see from the sustained policy over a period of two years, how Ministers and officials sought to denigrate them.  Newspapers like the Daily Mail have been only too happy to run headlines which poke fun and sneer at those who have chosen to live in places which will give them a few more hours of sunshine in their twilight years.  And anyway, not all British Pensioners live on the Mediterranean - the majority live inland and with substantive regional differences, they experience some pretty severe weather from time to time.  Iain Duncan Smith and his colleagues at the DWP have used, what can only be described as a deceitful and cruel policy, to achieve their objectives!

As a result, they have breached the rights of British citizen choosing to live elsewhere in the European Union, under the EU Regulation 883/2004, and are in contravention of Judgments of the CJEU in Newton (C-356/89) and in Stewart (C-503/09).

This is discrimation against British Citizens on the basis of falsified country wide average temperatures (achieved especially in the case of France by incorporating temperatures of tropical islands).  A temperature discrimination is not used for residents in the UK.  Therefore there is no uniformity of treatment across the EU for the British Pensioner citizen.   The UK Government is grossly discriminating in its treatment of its own nationals.  That many who reside in upland and inland areas of several countries are left to go without.  They appear to be of no concern to the British Government.

What  can you do to help – Tweet or retweet this.   http://www.lefourquet.net/Liarsetc.doc

Tweet to Matt Chorley the author of the Daily Mail article.  @MattChorley

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Write to or send this item to  your MP addresses are at

                                       http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

To the DWP [Iain Duncun Smith] – ministers@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

To an MEP.   https://www.mysociety.org/contact-your-meps

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