Anger amongst the Britons Abroad

The continuing saga of the Winter Fuel Payment. (WFP)

Read this    News-article.from The Connexion

Let’s get it straight. 

• There are quite a few pensioners in France and beyond, who need the money.  They went to France when the £ was strong; and when they got a reasonable return on bank and building society savings.  They came to enjoy more space in cheaper housing than was possible in the UK. They had the guts to appreciate another culture.  They might have thought that the climate would be better and generally it is so with clearer skies and longer winter days.  But they found that winter temperatures were colder, though winter may be shorter.  If they came here more than 15 years ago the WFP did not exist.  When Gordon Brown introduced this old-age benefit, they were at first excluded.   As time has passed, they find the £ has shrunk in value; interest on British savings has dwindled to almost zero; inflation has risen; taxation of income and property in France has risen.  . 
  If they wanted to change their British Bank or Building Society because the banks have bust, they couldn’t and still can’t.

Apart from the French  prices and tax inflation, the British Government is responsible for much of this. It is oblivious to the effect on Britons Abroad of their policies, and frankly is not interested in the Briton Abroad because most of us have no voice in Parliament. Most politicians feed on ‘power’. Their power comes from the votes of the people.    Even the simple ability for Britons abroad to vote was shrunk by the Blair Government from 20 years to 15 years.  But at the time few British residents in Europe took any interest in voting and in those politicians who control their finances.  They turned their eyes away, saying “I’m not interested in politics.” It is still a common theme. Misfortune has come upon them. 

The British Government knowingly or not, gives an unwitting reaction – “They are not interested. We can ignore them.” 

Result – A Briton Abroad is a Briton Ignored. 

• The European Commission is on our side.  Without it, we would be at the mercy of an uninterested, even antagonistic British Government The EU Commission encourages Britons to be good citizens of Europe. Many British politicians do not just ignore us, they dislike us.  This attitude is encouraged  by parts of the British media which have long been anti!   
• It was the EU Commission who forced the hand of the UK to pay the WFP to all.  Now the British Government want to cut it away again by using deceitful , dishonest fiddling with statistics.
• Some Britons Abroad are fighting back, and have always done so, but till now have been few in number.
• Here is two exchanges between one of us and the Civil Service in the Department of Works and Pensions.

http://www.lefourquet.net/Boaden1x.pdf    and

http://www.lefourquet.net/Boaden2x.pdf

The effect of the British Government on the Briton in Europe

The Government wriggles in trying to impose a temperature threshold on the payment of the Winter Fuel Payment to Britons in Europe, an ‘old-age’ benefit under EU law.

The Government wants our support to maintain their power and yet denies us the ability to vote for or against them after 15 years non-residence in the UK.

The Government taxes those who at one time worked in some form of Government service (such as our soldiers) and then denies them any voice.

The Government makes it difficult to move  money around British Banks by making it impossible to open a new account in the UK.

The Government achieves an exchange rate so low that  many British pensioners reliant on their savings have seen a great drop in income.

You can help.

To help us on our way to achieve some success sign the following petitions and write to certain politicians.

For voting/Representation

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43238

And to leave a comment below - It is  not possible on the official petition.

www.votes-for-expat-brits,com

Write to the politician  Chloe Smith  Minister for Political Reform c/o....

 publiccorrespondence@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk

For a proper payment of the Winter Fuel Payment

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/55085

Write to a politician Steve Webb, Minister for Pensions c/o.....

 ministers@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Britons Abroad in Europe meet with Mme Viviane Reding, a Vice President of the EU

Brussels 5^th September 2013

A delegation of Britons Abroad meet with Mme Viviane Reding, Vice President of the European Union and Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship.
The list of all the participants representing all political persuasions, other interests, and the EU commission can be viewed here.

A personal view of the meeting.

 Right -Mme Reding exchanges views with Harry

 Shindler and Sir Roger Gale

Mme Reding holds in her hand the booklet “EU Citizenship Report 2013 

You can read this document by going to the following link ----

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/reding/factsheets/citizenship-report

Fourteen Britons from France, Italy, Spain, Belgium and London (they included representatives of all three political persuasions along with other interest groups) met with Mme Reding and four EU Commission officials at the Commission offices in Brussels. A Greek citizen was there as an observer and we had a supporting communication from an Irish expatriate group.

Sir Roger Gale MP led our delegation. Harry Shindler, the 92 year old initiator of this meeting encouraged us to meet him to back his demand for his vote to be given back to him by the British Government. Sir Roger exposed the situation that the Briton abroad had the vote taken away after 15 years and asked that the Commission might intervene with the British Government.  The response from Mme Reding was that this would infringe the British subsidiarity clauses in this field

When Mme Redding moved on to another engagement, her Deputy Head of Cabinet, Mme Viviane Hoffman remained with the other officials and we sat round the large oval table in the cabinet room.  Outside in the streets of Brussels the temperature was 33 degrees.  Inside the debate was measured.  .

Harry was disappointed with the Commissioners problem with subsidiarity especailly since later the subject of the Referendum was raised and again the issue of subsidiarity  checked the debate.  That the majority of Britons abroad in the EU may not vote in a referendum which is fundamental to their welfare is an appalling malfunction in any democracy.

Yet as the debate developed I became more and more pleased.  The spirit of the EU was running with us.

Mme Hoffman seen left with Harry Shindler made it abundantly clear that the EU Commission was delighted to have this delegation there.  She use the phrase “honoured that Mr. Shindler” should come to Brussels.  It could not have been more plain. 

This discussion from the start entered the  European sphere – Why else were we there? 

Eight nations of the twenty eight States in the full European Union plus the extra EAA members do not give full democratic rights to their nationals in the rest of Europe.  Britain, Ireland and Denmark are the three significant larger States with this situation

It became increasingly apparent to me that our British  delegation was most important. 

Is the message –‘Britain needs to show the way forward in the matter of Democracy in Europe’ Where Britain goes the others will follow.‘?

This seemed to be a seminal moment.

My time came to speak.

I watched the four people team of the Commission

as I spoke.

“What is a Nation?” I rhetorically asked.   It is the people, not the physical geography of the towns, hills and rivers.  I held my hands like cups to each side and said ‘Democracy is a two way process. On the right the citizens look to the national Government for support and help. On the left the Government should be proactive and look towards the citizens in the European countries to see how they are faring. The British Government does not’.  I saw the two men of the EU commission pick up their pencils almost simultaneously and write. I was surprised and pleased.

We need to be proud of our National Government as the Government needs to show pride in the Briton Abroad.

I spoke of the confused nonsense that can arise from muddled Double Taxation agreements, drawing attention as an example to the varying position of Nurses pensions in Germany (taxed in the UK) and France (not so).  The pencils again moved.  

The meeting drew to a close and perhaps cheekily, I jumped in with a sentence relating to an earlier plea of Harry Shindler’s on the same theme which marks and honours his lifetime endeavours.  “On March 3^rd 1944 whilst Harry was fighting at Anzio, the house I lived in was blasted by a stick of German bombs. Let us hope that on May 8^th 2014 [Victory in Europe day] we can, as Harry desires, celebrate our victory in this cause with the Churchillian V sign”.

(Author Brian Cave – lefourquet@orange.fr)

add your signature to --- http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43238

and comment on www.votes-for-expat-brits.com

Please circulate to accumulate – Britons Abroad must unite.

Winter Fuel Payment -- Dynamite.

 To go to the Index and beginning click here

Praise to The Connexion for digging out some facts. 

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Below --- Copied from The Connexion - The English journal printed in France and also online.

August 30th 2013

"French tropic link to UK fuel pay ban

 

French tropic link to UK fuel pay ban

THE FIVE French overseas departments - all of which have tropical climates - were included in the calculation of France's average winter temperature which was then used to determine whether British expatriates should continue to receive the winter fuel allowance, Connexion has found.

The Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, the Indian Ocean islands of Réunion and Mayotte and French Guiana in South America were all included. Méteo France data is only available for the first three online but shows an average winter temperature of 26C.

The islands' temperatures were used with those of mainland France to gain an average which was then compared with 5.6C for the south-west of England. If the resulting figure was higher - as was the case with France - the country was deemed "too hot" and the payments will be stopped.

This may explain why Italy, which does not have any overseas tropical territories, was deemed acceptably cold while France was not.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said the DOMs were included because they are considered to be part of France and therefore the EU - so Britons who live there could claim the winter fuel allowance. Connexion is searching for information on how many Britons live in these departments.

If you believe WFA should not be stopped for Britons in France sign the petition at epetitions.direct.gov.uk

This is open to UK residents or nationals - if your non-UK postcode is not accepted, leave that section blank.
- See more at: http://www.connexionfrance.com/winter-fuel-allowance-uk-expat-france-temperature-overseas-tropical-islands-15000-view-article.html#sthash.j5nZkBWy.pngs05qM.dpuf "

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Comment -- As Mark Twain is purported to have said 
"There are lies, damned lies and statistics!"

It is astounding that any official could believe the temperature figures resulting from this data, relate it to the mainland of France  and then claim that the 59600 British pensioners resident in France are living in a hot country!  The Government statistics show that only 30 British pensioners live in the tropical French overseas territories.
Yes do sign the petition above  - It mounted about a  thousand signatures the day the Connexion published.  But I urge you also to think a step back from this .
WHY does the British Government ignore the British Pensioner abroad - Simply because we do not count! We do not count because we are not counted.  We have no representation in the Government of the British Nation. We have no votes that can be counted!
So please sign another petition  http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43238
and add your comments to this site www.votes-for-expat-brits.com 

And PLEASE - Circulate to Accumulate

THE FIVE French overseas departments - all of which have tropical climates - were included in the calculation of France's average winter temperature which was then used to determine whether British expatriates should continue to receive the winter fuel allowance, Connexion has found.

The Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, the Indian Ocean islands of Réunion and Mayotte and French Guiana in South America were all included. Méteo France data is only available for the first three online but shows an average winter temperature of 26C.

The islands' temperatures were used with those of mainland France to gain an average which was then compared with 5.6C for the south-west of England. If the resulting figure was higher - as was the case with France - the country was deemed "too hot" and the payments will be stopped.

This may explain why Italy, which does not have any overseas tropical territories, was deemed acceptably cold while France was not.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said the DOMs were included because they are considered to be part of France and therefore the EU - so Britons who live there could claim the winter fuel allowance. Connexion is searching for information on how many Britons live in these departments.

If you believe WFA should not be stopped for Britons in France sign the petition at epetitions.direct.gov.uk

This is open to UK residents or nationals - if your non-UK postcode is not accepted, leave that section blank.
- See more at: http://www.connexionfrance.com/winter-fuel-allowance-uk-expat-france-temperature-overseas-tropical-islands-15000-view-article.html#sthash.j5nZkBWy.pngs05qM.dpuf

The Winter Fuel Payment and why you must have the Vote

The justifiable fuss over the Winter Fuel Payment arises because the British Citizen in EUROPE has no vote!  Yes? or No?
[By no 'vote' is indicated no adequate democratic voice- The needs of the British Citizens  in Europe - nor anywhere in the world - are not considered by the British Government. It is the worst failing of democracy in Europe! And not commendable world-wide]

Yes it has.  Imagine if the citizen in Europe had some form of Representation in the House of Commons.  Pause and consider.   Would the Conservatives – Iain Duncan Smith - have put forward this absurd  plan of removing it from those of us living in his definition of ‘hot’ countries?  No of course not. 

Thanks to the European Court of Justice upholding the EU Law to which Britain has agreed by treaty,  Britain was forced to pay this Old Age Benefit to all elderly Britons within the EU.  If Britain seceded from the EU, the British pensioners and many more British Citizens would be drifting without the protection of the EU -- or any law.  In the last few decades, since 1973, it is EU law which protects us - NOT British law.  And, in whichever European State you live, are you confident that the local State laws will give you enough protection of your income, savings, residency? Whether that be French, Spanish, Cypriot, Italian, Portuguese (or wherever) law? Do you trust them without the umbrella of EU Law?  British Law does not protect you.

The petition on the Government site to retain the WFP is gaining signatures more rapidly than the petition to have Representation (the VOTE) [See below at end >]- But the petition on Representation is way out far more important! It is fundamental.

If the British Citizen in Europe had some form of Representation at Westminster, the Conservatives would not have proposed cutting this benefit, having only just a few months before granted it!  They would not, because they would know that at the next election we would all vote against them.  But then, the Labour Party is equally uninterested.  If we had that Representation they would be making overtures to us. Wouldn’t they?

Do you imagine that the matter of the WFP is an isolated instance?  You must know of the hike in passport fees. Would they have done do this if they got a glimmer that we might vote against them?  If Britain separated from the EU, is your pension safe? Laws and Regulations are not chiselled in stone. They can be changed.  Our friends and compatriots in other lands have their State pensions frozen.  It could happen in Europe.

Consider the economic scene.  The Sterling and Euro currencies are different economic systems. Lord Lipsey was eager to observe to me in a radio interview** that the European British pensioner does not contribute to the economy of Britain and therefore should not be represented in Westminster. It is a simplification and not entirely true. The Civil Servants in the British Treasury perceive the pensioner expat as a drain on the economy.   That is a blinkered viewpoint.  We are most decidedly ambassadors for Britishness. All expatriates are ambassadors.

But if Britain & the EU split apart, the negative view in Britain towards us could cause our pensions to be hit. 

[**The Lipsey interview on Expats Radio can be heard via the following link. (It can take a while to download)   The Exchange on Radio.]

Take another example - Under EU law the British Financial institutions should treat Citizens in Europe as equally as those resident in the UK. They do not!  Has anyone, as a non-resident, opened a new account in a British Bank within the UK?  It would be interesting to hear that someone has.  Will they accept your investments as easily as if you lived in Britain? No.  But EU law says that there should be freedom of movement of financial services and capital. It is a fight that needs to be fought.  British expatriates want to invest in Britain. It is mighty strange that Britain makes it difficult!

The fall in the value of the £ against the Euro is related to the same economic scenario.

The British Citizen has been encouraged to get integrated in Europe by the development of the EU but now is blown by whatever economic blast without any real shield.  Their finances have  no real protection.

The issue of the relationship between the British Citizen and his/her National Government is worldwide.

The Protection that the British Citizen should have is the protection that the British Government should achieve through treaty arrangements and reaction to the needs of the British Citizen abroad – everywhere. It should nurture the British Citizen abroad not ignore him.

The British Citizen abroad is ….

• The Businessman trying to win trade for Britain. 
• The Citizen who lives abroad for his/her welfare or/and that of their children, hoping for freedom from strife.
• The Pensioner who wants wider horizons and more living space.

All of us are fostering Britishness beyond the shores of Britain.

In Europe we need to be represented for the sake of Britain in Europe- not just for ourselves. 

We need to be listened to.  We need to be heard.  We need to be understood. We need to be Represented in the seat of our Government. So that we work together for the good of Britain and ourselves.

We demand the vote!

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Please forward the above  to your colleagues/family/friends  and to some MP you know –

Grant Shapps MP – Chairman of the Conservative Party - He has said it is important that people affected by the Referendum have a say in it.  Will you have a say in it?

shappsg@parliament.uk

James Wharton MP – who tabled the motion on the Referendum

james.wharton.mp@parliament.uk

for the rest…. Visit…

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

> petitions And if you have not done so …. Sign up to the petitions here – we need 10,000 signatures. - another 8,000 plus! Circulate to Accumulate!

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43238

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/52121
If these petition sites fail to accept your foreign post-code, then use the last one you had in Britain or that of a close relative.

and leave a comment here…

www.votes-for-expat-brits.com

Referendum (European Union) Bill

To go to the INDEX and start cllick here

What if?           [This article can be freely copied or quoted with reference:- Brian Cave]

It is not too early to plan and think

In Parliament a private member’s Bill to empower a Referendum could soon be entering  “The Committee Stage” of debate.  This may be before August or in the Autumn. MPs will consider the bill paragraph by paragraph.

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Will the interests of the 1.4 million Britons  in mainland Europe be considered? Not unless a fuss is generated! … It is quite unacceptable and undemocratic that a decision to pull out of the EU could be even envisaged without listening to those most intimately affected [See at the end what you can do!.]

IF BRITAIN WITHDRAWS from the EU  the lives of many of the 1.4 million Britons residing in Europe beyond the shores of Britain, could become uncomfortable -unless some sort of bargaining occurs.
Do you feel safe?

• You will no longer be a European Citizen.  Does that matter?
• You will no longer have an automatic right to reside anywhere in the EU/EEA.
• The principal of four freedoms of movement within the EU would not apply -- of people, goods, financial services and capital

·        You would not necessarily be able to buy goods from Britain without some form of import tax or other control being imposed.

·        You might not be able to transmit money easily. Exchange controls could be re- introduced.

·        Restrictions on your own residence might arise – see below.

·        You would not be protected by EU law.

HISTORY!  This writer is over eighty. Memory extends to before 1973, before the UK joined the EU.  THEN  one could not take more than a very small quantity of  sterling abroad to Continental and other countries.  The sum had to be entered in the back of one’s passport by the bank issuing the foreign currency.  It was Margaret Thatcher who did away with this requirement (1979). 

The Treasury UK and the expatriate pensioner.

Understand that the Euro and the Pound are separate economic communities.  That means the movement of £s to €s is a transference of financial blood from one to the other. Payment of pensions (or Winter Fuel payments!) is a ‘letting of blood’ from the economy of Britain. One can see why The Treasury does not like it.    Note:- They freeze British Pensions in many parts of the world. 

UNCOMFORTABLE THOUGHT!

·        If Britain left the EU.  Would pensions be frozen? The WFP would certainly cease. Other benefits would stop.
Back in 1973, there were very few British pensioners in the EU.  Now there are over 450,000.  [see Reference 2 at end]
The expenditure on their pensions is considerable!  About £3 thousand million pounds - i.e £3 billion per year

ANOTHER UNEASY THOUGHT OR TWO!

·   [to clarify - in view of a comment received - this section on residence is updated 17tyh July 2013]

RESIDENCE --Before the EU, you could not reside in France nor perhaps in any continental country unless you could demonstrate that you had enough funds to not be a burden on the State. 
Most often  you would have to demonstrate that you had health insurance. NEW would-be residents coming from the UK could find the difficulties too great.

·        EXISTING British Residents would have the status of full foreigners.  They would need Residence cards, and possibly or probably other financial/tax restrictions, getting jobs, social support, training ?…..

 

·        If Britain left the EU, pensioners would lose State health cover.

·        Young entrepreneurs would probably not get support/guidance from the State of Residence, to set up a business.

AND REMEMBER
All those hundreds of thousands of French, Italians, German (and the rest of EU citizens)  enhancing the economy of Britain will be worried about their future if Britain pulls out of the EU,  They also will have no voice in this matter.

WHAT YOU – WE – THEY? – can do.

DEMAND A VOICE - The Britons Abroad must be heard - listened to!  The decision affects us more than anyone else. And are Britons far away from Europe not affected? 
They may desire to return to Britain one day!
This matter is wider than the VOTE.  Many of course will not have a vote in any Referendum.  Many have not registered to vote – many can’t (including the author). 
But the politicians must listen – so tell them!

The bill was introduced by Mr. James Wharton, the Conservative MP for Stockton South, as a private members Bill.james.wharton.mp@parliament.uk

In the debate (5^th July) [Reference 1 at end]  only one MP, Martin Horwood,  MP for  Cheltenham drew attention to this enormous issue of the Britons Abroad in the EU. martin.horwood.mp@parliament.uk

 Be prepared to lobby your MP – Here is the list  http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

Find the MP for the place where you last lived in the UK – claim your right to contact that MP on that basis. 

Contact any peer through the following address – Indicate to whom your message should go.   contactholmember@parliament.uk

Baroness Shirley Williams said something on  this matter on the BBC radio (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b036kxth) – unfortunately unavailable via a non-UK server, but interesting if you can hear it. 

Baroness Williams is a politician of great influence.  Her opinion is, if Britain leaves the EU, Britain will decline into a country of little significance.  Its future lies in being an important State within Europe.

Britain should be among the leaders of Europe. 

If Britain pulls out of the EU many Britons abroad in the EU may be so discomforted that they may be forced to return to Britain. What would happen if say 500,000 Brits of the 1.4 million now residing in the EU beyond the UK, decided to return to the UK at the same time; e.g to the Housing Market?; Social Care for the elderly?

REFERENCES

1.   The Hansard reference to the Referendum Bill debate is below – Mr. Horwood’s words are 7 paragraphs beyond the entry ‘column 1227’, just after Mr. Redwood asks Mr. Horwood to give way.

Hansard.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130705/debtext/130705-0002.htm

2. A graphical representation of the Emigration of British Pensioners to most countries of Europe, and comments on such emigration to the rest of the world – all with numbers can be read here.

http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/2013/04/british-old-age-pensioners-and-their.html

Remember:- It is unacceptable and undemocratic that a decision to pull out of the EU could be envisaged without listening to those most intimately affected.

Distribute this to your friends and ask them to demand that their MPs also listen.

view campaign  www.votes-for-expat-brits.com