robin1234

In fact, it seems to me that retirees coming back to live in the UK are a great boost to the economy, since we'll be buying a house, consuming & paying VAT etc., as well as all other taxes and duties. All paid for from pensions, savings and social security sourced abroad.

iaink

Canada used to have a "retirement class" specifically to attract people to retire to canada, briging in money.

Then they figured out that the health care and social costs of caring for an elderly demographic were way more that the economic benefits brought in.

robin1234

I'll agree, I concede that. A couple of people I know here (we're just across the border from Canada) investigated retiring to Canada and realised they couldn't.

BristolUK

No I don't think I did say that. I certainly would though.

But that's not being a burden. That's a right that Brits won and have.

But that's really NOT the point in the inconsistency I mentioned as you well know.

BristolUK

Now you're being silly.

Putting aside that wide open doors would let voters of all shades through, not just labour voters, wouldn't this new plan be even more "tainted" than the deviousness you suggest in that the lower income folk would be excluded while richer (Conservative) types would be welcomed?

Bob

Prey tell, how someone does not pay taxes?

Like I said, unless they live like a hermit in a commune, every time they buy something, food, petrol for the car etc, they pay tax to cover their NHS/education burden.

BristolUK

Here's a fairly typical situation:

Brit Spouse - pension entiltlement £100 pw or £5000 pa (perhaps even less)

Foreign Spouse - income £200 pw or £10000 pa.

Total income £300 pw or £15000 pa.

As a couple they have no need nor entitlement to benefits. But they can't both be in the UK because the income levels are too low to qualify.

They probably own housing where they are at the moment. But instead of selling it and bringing pots of cash to the UK to make their situation even better, the partner who can't come stays in that home. Assuming they want a roof over their head. After all, they don't want to lose their spouse and get rained on.

But the Brit can come. And receive everything going because his/her income is below benefit levels. Thus more benefits are actually paid because of the very rule intended to save benefits.

Editha

I'm appalled by May's proposal.

I'm not affected by it, but only "by the Grace of God". I'm a British citizen, but my husband is a Canadian. Fortunately he took out British citizenship when he was living in the UK.

If he wasn't a British citizen, we'd now have to re-consider our retirement to the UK, because our initial income when we retire will be below the 25,700 limit for the first couple of years.

We've already deferred returning to the UK for a couple of years because of the way our savings were affected by the financial downturn. It would have been a horrible blow
to have to defer it still further.

But we're lucky compared with many people. Young couples with children and pensioners are going to be the worst affected, as far as I can see. I think it is grossly unfair to prevent British people moving to the UK, with their foreign spouse, when their income is above average for their type of household.

drhewitt

All this rubbish about "tax payer burdens"

You're already burdened for life with Whitehall's debt, huge bonuses to senior civil servants, IT equipment that was never implemented, the illegal war in Iraq, the Quangos, tax payer bank bailouts - how much of an added "burden" would it be to have a couple get help with daycare if they are both productive workers and contribute to the community?


the income requirements are ridiculous, there's no way I'm going to get a job offer for 50 grand, though it won't stop me from trying!

roaringmouse

Not true - non-EEA visitors to the UK intending on getting married need to obtain a visa, even if they have the intention of leaving the UK afterwards.

If it is just a visit to get married, then a visitor for marriage visa is required - if intending on living in the UK then a fiance(e) visa is required, followed by a spouse visa application.
Sarkozy may be out of a job by the end of April.

roaringmouse

Why does it have to be the British citizen paying taxes - why not the non-EU spouse with a high income?

However, insisting on a 5-year probationary period for all spouses, rather than the current 2 (or immediate ILE) will discourage a lot of meaningful employment for the non-EU spouse due to their temporary residency.

englishguygoinghome

While I may have some concerns over the concept of restricting a citizens rights to marry based on their income it's the removal of preferential treatment for returning citizens who are in a long standing marriage which is for me the most disgraceful twist in this.

For any of you who read or even took part in the consultation you will see that it was very misleading / leading - particularly in regards to "our" situation. (OK so that's an opinion ) [http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...ly-migration/]

I will be writing to an MP who is the nearest thing to "our MP" which we have. I'd urge each of you who is still on the electoral roll and/or has family on the roll to do likewise. At least real citizens abroad should be allowed to return home with their families.

scottydog357

I am in total agreeance. Planning on returning to the UK later this year with my Australian wife of seven years, and our daughter, herself a UK passport holder. This ruling would effectively rule me out coming home. This is partly due to the tough time I have been going through in Australia and my homesickness leading to depression. Alongside my family who all want to spend valuable time with my wife and little one (parents getting on in years) how can this be of any good to me and many others in a similar situation?

As for NHS and taxes, I worked for 20 years in the UK before emigrating. Never signed on, went to the docs when needed and private dental. I have contributed to the system, and would continue to do so if I return, alongside my wife who has been employed since leaving school, and is wishing to work if we move.

Yet I could potentially face the decision of living here with a worsening medical condition which can lead to severe symptoms, or splitting my family up over some political bull*&^%, which in turn could worsen how I feel.

Its a disgusting scenario, and if the problem is intake from the sub continent, then cap the intake from that area, do not punish UK citizens in long term marriages with children, just to keep the figures looking good.

formula

Older people cost more.

There are plenty of visas to countries, for those who are under 30. The earnings have to be much higher for those wanting visas and are over 30.

formula

A non-EEA earning a high income, will still be able to get into the UK under their own visa. There are new immigration catagories for these people as well as new visas for the gifted, plus the exisiting Tier2 (General).

That way, if their marriage breaks down while in the UK, they will be still be able to apply for settlement and become a citizen in their own right, without needing their UK spouse to OK their stay.