Why has Britain turned its back on expats?

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
17/02/2012 21:55

Interesting article in today's Daily Telegraph



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/offshorefinance/9080075/Why-has-Britain-turned-its-back-on-expats.html

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
17/02/2012 22:13

Good article;



Could it be because it would rather give hand outs to anyone landing at Stansted sans papers and no spika da ingleesh?

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
17/02/2012 22:33

newscoop

I don't know what you could possibly mean. Personally I lay awake at nights worrying that the illegal immigrants are not claiming every benefit they are entitled to.

Quarmby


Joined: 15/09/2008
Posts: 975

Message Posted:
17/02/2012 23:21

Come on folks! you know the Uk cannot afford to pay the expats, their money is being diverted to all the illegal immigrants who it looks after in the UK and pays substantial benefits to the likes of Qatada and all his offspring. You know he has contributed more to the UK economy than all your expats put together, he has made many poor legal representatives very rich. So please no more moaning!

Makes you sick ,doesn't it?

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
17/02/2012 23:33

Quarmby;



Good post!

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
17/02/2012 23:46

The UK does not recognise the TRNC so where do they think all the expats here are living.



Coock-koo land



And on another thread members are talking about the justice in the courts here ! its all a joke.



Loads of banks are taking the roof from elderly pensioners too. poor Polly and the K5. Who's next.



Oh is it it money talks. ! JMHO. and two tuppence worth.



Spider,X

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 00:37

I raised exactly the same arguments that are being put forward in the article with the Electoral Commission and also wrote to the Telegraph on the subject. At the time I could still vote (being then under the 15 year rule) but was prevented because a new time scale made postal voting impossible for expats and inefficiency in the system prevented by proxy for registering my vote.



The reason the British Government rgets away with exploitation with expatriates is that people prefer to have a good grumble and air their private grievances - as is demonstrated above - rather than get of their backsides and do something.



Living in the TRNC has nothing to do with this particular issue - expats from South Africa and Australia among other are the ones who suffered loss of pension rights and they get together and fought for them. contd...............

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 00:42

At the time I made my comlaint several people made the suggestion was that the reasons was that - apparently traditionally- most expats vote Conservative and there was labour government in the UK



Perhaps we should have a word in Mr. Camerson's ear.



I also made the suggestion to the BRS that they might do something to protect the interests of British residents suffering from injustice in the UK, but they did not want to know.

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 01:32

If you have made a choice to permanently move to another country what exactly should Britain owe you? Other than your pension rights? Surely the more relevant question would be what does your new country owe you? Especially those that have been resident for a decade or more and truly see the TRNC as their home.



To make a point about not being able to vote in the UK, when it is no longer your place of residency, seems ridiculous especially when the country you are now residing in will not allow you to vote. Perhaps this is where your complaints should be directed to? But as many frequently say, "we are only guests of the TRNC"



In reality this translates to a lack of democracy makes "guests" wary of complaining. So instead of wanting to genuinely contribute to changes within their new community they appear to feel the need to complain about somewhere they no longer live.



Don't worry about the UK, concentrate on the things that affect you now.



cont/

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 01:33

Expats need rights in the TRNC not the UK.

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 02:03

Bradus: You speak for yourself. I have had more problems arising from being a British citizen and taxpayer with income (pensions ) sourced in Britain than I have as a resident (15 years) in Northern Cyprus I have also been cheated by more Estate Agents and builders in Britain.



The only country you have "rights" in is that in which you were born and/or by parentage. If you chosse to live in another country you have to prove you deserve those rights - judging by Cyprus 44 few people have done anything other than make trouble.



And dont start about immigrants in the UK - I agree that is out of control, but there are still some stringent tests for those who apply for citizenship - how would you score if you had to take a test in Turkish?

bertieboss


Joined: 22/07/2011
Posts: 149

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 02:13

The trouble with some expats - they want their cake and eat it !

And these are usually the ones who have left UK because they no longer like it !!??

If you emigrate that is your choice - don't expect the rest of us who still love our country to feel sorry for you and provide you with health care etc when it suits you !!

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 03:03

Its the swallows who have their cake and eat it. Ful time residents not only fund their own health care, their tax and NI contributions fund that of peope in the UK , plus policing, education, etc. etc. etc.

bertieboss


Joined: 22/07/2011
Posts: 149

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 03:13

Lifesabitch!!

Sandford


Joined: 17/12/2011
Posts: 133

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 03:28

Rightly or wrongly, it is only pensions drawn by those resident in the UK that are 'index-linked', be it based upon the RPI or whatever other cost of living in the UK calculations they use. They say it reflects the cost of living in the UK, which may be true, and therefore if you do not, you cannot claim this inflation proof extra element.



I do not accept or condone this, but sort of see some rationale behind it, however flawed or unfair it might be for all.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 12:21

Surely , becoming an ex-pat (Ex -Patriot) means that you have forsaken your land of birth for a life elsewhere. So what's the problem?

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 12:28

bertie most of us have paid tax and nhs contributions in full all our lives

so i think we should be entitled to nhs if required rather then an immigrant sponger.

anyway must get back to my sun lounger enjoy the cold

Turtle


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 2669

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 12:47

Have to agree with bertie and Martin,.... you up sticks and live somewhere else thats your choice and if you want the benefits of systems you have paid into all your lives then stay and enjoy them..... simple.

yrret


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 761

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 13:06

There is case law on the payments of insurance, and the subsequent ability to claim from the recipet of the premiums.

The UK Gov continue to call this tax national 'insurance' and if the law on the payment of 'insurance premiums' versus the right to claim was aired, it may get a few people listening.

If I was a pensioner, I would look at simply returning to the UK for 3 months every few years, get the uplift, and move out again.or is that not possible?

Jovial_John


Joined: 31/01/2009
Posts: 1024

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 13:06

I don't mind losing my rights if they would stop taxing me. If I pay taxes then I should be entitled to the same benefits as all other taxpayers whether I reside in the country or not.

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 13:06

What is the problem? My UK State Pension is paid here and since 2010 has been indexed. Same as if in Turkey (EU Membership pending, or South Cyprus (Already an EU Member).

Geoff

Famagusta City

P.S. Before 2010 it was at a fixed rate.

astro941


Joined: 22/05/2011
Posts: 193

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 13:08

If a person pays tax on pensions, annuities and in some cases income surely they should be entitled to benefits and equal treatment in the parent country.

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 14:37

Re Msg22: Yes, if they are resident in the "parent" country. Many non residents also become non-domiciled to avoid taxes in the parent country. and so give up their rights to many benefits.

You can't have your cake, and eat it!

Geoff

astro941


Joined: 22/05/2011
Posts: 193

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 19:31

Ms 23. If I was resident in my parent Country the debate would not arise but as I pay taxes to that parent Country and some taxes here including stealth taxes I find that many others are eating my cake with gusto including ones in my parent Country some of whom my tax contribution help support.

gates


Joined: 08/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 19:49

how about all the tarts pushing prams donw the road never worked all of a sudden another lump in there belly new houses built for them plus loads of dosh ,have a nother fag .I also had a shop in the high street and watched this go on when i was not at site , place full of people living off a few that are all getting the hump with it , did we pay yes fed up with the leaches yes here we are again ,

I moved here to get away from the leaches and if you are like me you know were i stand

Watch this space

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 19:50

Geoff: Being "non domiciled" only permits avoidance of taxes on overseas investments, not on pensions earned in the UK nor on income from property or investments based in the UK. The emphasis is on "earned" - the pension was earned in the UK therefore it is irrelevant where it is received.



The Catch 22 is that different rules apply to NI and Tax. If you live outside the UK you are still liable for income tax onpensions but may (depends onwhere outside the UK) not be able to claim the full benefit of your NI contribtions.





Meanwhile long term full time pensioner expats (who by their nature are subject to health problems) save the UK based taxpayer a lot of money in unclaimed benefits and calls on services.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 19:51

The only thing you can complain about is that which happens after you have made up your mind to leave and then gone ahead and left. Nobody chased you away, you left, your choice, you made up your mind that it was what you wanted to do. You did all the calculations before you did it, you looked as far ahead as you could and knew what you were getting into - to coin a phrase, you did your homework - it was what you wanted and of course "you" are always right.



Much later, things changed! Did you really think that all things would remain the same? Were you that gullible that you thought the British Government would look after your interests when you had kicked the country off your heels for a better life?



Get with the program. Look in the mirror every morning and view one of the few people you can trust to tell you the truth and not let you down. Some days your pension is index linked and some days it is not - get it behind you and enjoy life.

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 19:59

I was wondering just how many 'health tourists' hit the NHS (and the UK taxpayer) every day. Those that have never paid a penny in tax or NI contributions. Has anyone ever heard of, say, a TC who only ever sets foot in the UK for medical treatment?

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 20:01

Hector, they only do that because they have to pay for treatment here now - always have I know - but then visitors (real visitors) to UK should also have to pay, try getting free treatment anywhere in the world these days, it don't exist and why should it anyway?

Lor49



Joined: 12/11/2009
Posts: 82

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 20:55

At Waddo, dont tar everyone with the same brush. My husband was made redundant 11 years ago, he couldnt get another job, he refused to sign on, he said, he never has and never will, so most of our savings went in supporting ourselves because of his pride. He did get another job, but not in the UK, not wanting to be apart, we sold the house in the UK and cleared the mortgage leaving us with a pittance. We tried to buy property again in the UK 2 years ago for our retirement, and guess what, we cant afford to do it, at 59 no one would give a mortgage. My husband refused to go back and live in a council flat, that is if we would even get the points to get on a list. So dont presume that everyone made up their own mind to leave, some of us had no choice. We both paid all our taxes and NI, and still did voluntary contributions for the past 10 years, apart from having kids, we havent used anything from the state. So I DO think that the UK owes us something, and I am so glad to have found TRNC

gates


Joined: 08/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 21:13

Is it just become alkeda or what are they , the new protected itam wear a big jaket lift the coller hold you r mobile tightly , free entrance to the UK other one put a bun in the oven and devlope it over 9 months sound familure . Or of course buy a few cops and other integral agents and open a populer news paper and then tell us all how we expose women / were would they be without it .brooks comes to mind

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 21:50

Lor49,



Everyone has the same chance at making up their minds on what to do - there are no exceptions! Life is what you make of it no matter how shi**y the hand or how gold plated it is when it is dealt. Don't rant to me about not being able to get a job - been there, done that, had to ask my kids how to sign on the dole!!! Found another one I did not want and stuck with it because it paid the bills. Found TRNC and made up my mind to shake the dirt of the UK off my shoes and leave - left! Came here with thousands (£2K) and spent it all now live on the pensions that I still pay tax on - poor us, just like you.



It all comes back to the same thing - your choice to stay or leave and we both made that choice - no moans about the UK, IMO it sucks and can not be trusted, but then I worked for them for over 40 years and should have figured it out sooner.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
18/02/2012 22:05

Lor49,



Apologies! Gut reaction and too harsh, sorry! Point I was trying to make was that it mattered not how we came here, at gunpoint, with millions in the bank, skint as a rat, whatever. We all made the choice ourselves in the search based on looking for a better life and leaving all behind us as we left. We all did it with our eyes open and in the knowledge that we would leave whatever it was behind us. We have no right to blame anyone else but the face in the mirror nor do we have the right to complain about what is now happening where we were before.



In the main, most of us are happy with the choice but we all - regardless of backgrounds - still think that "that place over there" owes us something for the life we put in. We left - it stayed, leave it behind and carry on because for sure, "that place over there" will never lift a finger to help us, and why should it - we left! Sorry again for first reply.