DaveLovesDee

Expats who've lived abroad for years, who come back just for an operation on the NHS then leave again are chargeable. Showing a British Passport doesn't change anything there. Apparently, they're the biggest section of people who should pay and aren't.

Immigrants are a very tiny percentage of the problem.

rebeccajo

Isn't it part of the NHS proposal that anyone who has paid NI for more than 7 years be ALLOWED to return home for care?

Odd, don't you think?

rebeccajo

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/201...gration-reform


Lib Dem MP attacks coalition's plans for immigration reform

Ex-minister Sarah Teather condemns coalition's 'politically naked' plans to reform immigrants' access to key services

DaveLovesDee

One of the considerations is for anyone who's paid tax in the UK for a minimum of 10 years will be automatically entitled to free medical care, whether they reside in the UK or not. That'll certainly show a huge drop in the number of 'health tourists' then, as Expats will almost certainly get free healthcare under that proposal.

Easier to blame the immigrants then, too!

Sarah Teather's one of the MP's on the APPG Migration committee. She's been extremely supportive of changing the current rules. She's not happy with the Government's attitude to low-income families and immigration.

rebeccajo

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si.../51-min-income

The Home Office today, 26 July 2013, filed its appeal against a High Court judgment on the minimum income threshold for spouses/partners and children applying in the family route.

DaveLovesDee

A Home Office spokesperson said:

'Our family changes were brought in to make sure that spouses coming to live in the UK would not become reliant on the taxpayer for financial support and would be able to integrate effectively. We are pleased that the High Court judgment of 5 July supports the basis of our approach.

Foreign spouses have rarely ever been reliant on the taxpayer for financial support, and are indeed taxpayers themselves when working. How does requiring the UK spouse to earn £18,600 pa help foreign spouses integrate?

'However, we believe matters of public policy, including the detail of how the minimum income threshold should operate, are for the Government and Parliament to determine, not the Courts. We also believe the detailed requirements of the policy are proportionate to its aims. We are therefore pursuing an appeal against the judgment.

And when the Home Office loses that I think they'll admit defeat and blame the courts for blocking the Government on immigration. I doubt they'll appeal to the Supreme Court.

'We have asked the Court of Appeal to expedite this. In the meantime, where an applicant does not meet the minimum income threshold and there is no other reason to refuse it, the application will be put on hold.'

Yes, in the hope that foreign spouses withdraw their applications because of the uncertainty over length of time.