Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

Could everyone please sign this e-petition on the British Gov. site. Who knows, it might just get some attention and could well benefit your own kids in the future: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Unfair-Uni-Fees/
We thought we wanted to stay in Oz for good, but are now looking to go home with our teen children and realise how you become a 2nd class citizen practically as soon as you step outside the EU. Please, please sign this, you don't have to live in the UK still to do so. Thanks & please pass it on.

If a British citizen has been living out of the country, they are required to pay 'overseas' fees in order to attend a British university if they have not been resident back in Britain for 3 years. This is regardless of the amount of tax they or their parents have paid over the years. Meanwhile, students from the EU are entitled to and English university education paying only 'home' rates. It is unfair and prevents British citizens returning with their children, whilst encouraging EU students. Surely we should be encouraging British citizens to return home with their British children..who have not had a say in where their parents lived but wish to study and work in Britain.

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

Have just signed, it may be worth risking the wrath and putting it on the main forums of each country there will be a few nice people who will sign it.:thumbsup:

Sorry just seen that you have, great minds think alike

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

I knew about the three year rule because I have friends who emigrated to South Africa years ago, and ended up coming back when their boys were old enough for High School, so that they would qualify for 'home' fees.

I didn't know that the rest of the UE were exempt from this rule. Frankly, I'm disgusted!

M :ohmy: P.S. I signed the petition!

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

I knew about the three year rule as I had wanted to get my degree in Scotland, but when I found out that I would pay so much more I stayed here to do my degree.

I also just signed the petition:thumbsup:

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

Only if resident in an EEA member state. So a German citizen coming from Australia to the U.K. would be treated the same way.

The British government could change this rule, but would have to give other EEA member state citizens the exact same access rights.

The reality is that the EU is not solely a matter of foreign policy, but that its tentacles touch virtually every aspect of domestic policy too.

Of course, there is way to have a genuinely "British citizens first" policy in education and that is for the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union.

It might be productive to make sure you are registered as an overseas elector and vote with this in mind.

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

All British kids? Regardless of whether they have ever lived in the UK? Or whether their parents ever paid taxes? That opens up way more 'floodgates' than the one you are complaining about.
My daughter is a British citizen. My husband and I paid less than 3 years of income tax in the UK before we left in the 90s. There are plenty more British citizens living overseas who have never paid a penny in UK taxes and who have British kids.

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

What I am suggesting is the exact policy that Australia has.

In any case, there is scope for compromise, such as only charging international fees for the first year (this is what some Canadian provinces do).

It really does boil down to what extent British citizens should receive preference in their own country.

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

That's what happened to us, that's why I have been a 'prisoner' here for more years than I care to think about. :(

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

State schools (primary and secondary) are still free right?

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

Yes, but what does that have to do with me?

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

As we are not related, married or even simply just banging each other I have absolutely no idea?

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

:eek::rofl:

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

Ezzie, have signed it and past it on........it's a bit like the Pensions.....my husband and I worked for years in the U.K before we left 10 years ago......it's not right....it's not fair!!!!
Ezzie for MP?

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

Consider it done !!

Re: Please sign this petition...it benefits us all (well, those with kids)!
 

Thank you my darlings...don't worry, I have a daughter whose determined to go into politics...OK, she's just 13 on Wednesday, but she's already made a start. Did anyone see her brilliant article in the SMH on how Aussie teens can't be arsed to get involved with their communities! Yes, a controversial figure already! She wrote the article with her twin sister. So if we get back to the UK, get them into politics, I promise the first thing they'll do is fix the ruddy o/s pensions!