NHS eligibility after very long absence
Jul 15th 2015, 8:39 am
#31
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2012
Location: Hua Hin, Thailand
Posts: 75
Re: NHS eligibility after very long absence
Because my incomes are from pensions which a paid from the UK, State Pension and my Civil Service Pension from my employment with the Home Office, and as such fall outside the double taxation agreement and are taxed at source.
Jul 15th 2015, 9:19 am
#34
Was in Canada, now home.
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Devon
Posts: 3,388
Re: NHS eligibility after very long absence
Yes, thanks. I didn't know that because the Canada/UK tax agreement is different.
I agree that it seems very unfair that if you still pay UK tax, you should be denied NHS care.
I agree that it seems very unfair that if you still pay UK tax, you should be denied NHS care.
Jul 15th 2015, 9:34 am
#35
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: NHS eligibility after very long absence
Simples.
Jul 15th 2015, 12:39 pm
#36
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,294
Re: NHS eligibility after very long absence
I've written to Cameron and the Health Secretary calling foul, I've pointed out that I wouldn't be liable for NI contributions if I lived in the UK and already pay a fair amount in income tax. I added that this unfairness could be the tipping point to return "home" where I would receive my full state pension, it's currently frozen, full NHS cover and they would even throw in a bus pass, so it's not really economic sense. I'm not really expecting a meaningful reply from the appropriate Correspondence Unit.
Back with a majority this year and Cameron's repeated statement of stopping the something-for-nothing people and now making it something-for-something, I could see that 'free NHS for Brits residing outside the EEA and with x years of paying into the UK' being back on the table. He has already made a lot of changes with this government that got blocked before by the LibDems.
Last edited by formula; Jul 15th 2015 at 12:52 pm.
Jul 15th 2015, 1:20 pm
#37
Was in Canada, now home.
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Devon
Posts: 3,388
Re: NHS eligibility after very long absence
The Conservatives tried to get that passed as it was in their consultation in 2012(?) for the then Immigration Bill. It just didn't make it into the law in 2014 on the way though Parliament and the Lords, and with a coalition government.
Back with a majority this year and Cameron's repeated statement of stopping the something-for-nothing people and now making it something-for-something, I could see that 'free NHS for Brits residing outside the EEA and with x years of paying into the UK' being back on the table. He has already made a lot of changes with this government that got blocked before by the LibDems.
Back with a majority this year and Cameron's repeated statement of stopping the something-for-nothing people and now making it something-for-something, I could see that 'free NHS for Brits residing outside the EEA and with x years of paying into the UK' being back on the table. He has already made a lot of changes with this government that got blocked before by the LibDems.
But you may be right about change. My understanding is that Osborne is keen on giving the vote to ex-pats who have been outside the UK for more than 15 years. I don't see him doing that without simultaneously righting at least some of the grievances of ex-pats, including this one.
Jul 16th 2015, 1:08 am
#38
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: NHS eligibility after very long absence
What seems odd to me is that the Thai/British tax treaty doesn't cover pensions in the way that many other treaties do. I wonder what the Thai treatment of such income is?
Last edited by Giantaxe; Jul 16th 2015 at 1:19 am.
Jul 16th 2015, 7:10 am
#39
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,552
Re: NHS eligibility after very long absence
Tons of people pay at least some UK income tax, reside abroad and aren't eligible for NHS coverage. For example, anyone with income taxed at source by the UK, rental properties etc. If the rule were that any payment of UK income tax conferred free NHS use, you'd be opening free access broader than I think would be good public policy. And sometimes leaving eligibility to the whims, as in this case, of what a tax treaty says is taxable by the UK.
What seems odd to me is that the Thai/British tax treaty doesn't cover pensions in the way that many other treaties do. I wonder what the Thai treatment of such income is?
What seems odd to me is that the Thai/British tax treaty doesn't cover pensions in the way that many other treaties do. I wonder what the Thai treatment of such income is?
Jul 16th 2015, 3:11 pm
#40
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 29
Re: NHS eligibility after very long absence
Thanks for all this good information not2old ... I'm planning to move back to UK from USA.
