Could this be a cautionary tale for those thinking of a return to the UK?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...m-seekers.html

Just in case I would like to say in my defence that I read the Guardian too.

Dare I read...it is the daily mail after all ..

Now I read it .... not quite sure that returning Brits should expect benefits if they have been away for so long...how much has she actually paid into the UK system?

Poor UK just gets used and abused..even by Brits.

If you’re a grandmother in Spain, about to go skint, read it now.

She only went back because she was skint in Spain, because even though she paid into the Spanish system, they were not very forthcoming when this woman was in need.

she will get help once she sorts her claim out, even if it takes a while, but if she stayed in spain there would be none.

That is how she got in the mess in the first place, years of living with no or little income.

So what do you think a grandmother who is about to go skint in Spain should do?

But paying into the system is not a requirement for a lot of benefits - just being british is often sufficient.
Although I haven't read the article, did this person have a house or something in Spain? If so she probably fell foul of the rules about the maximum value of assets you're allowed and still claim.
(Obviously, having a house in the UK is exempt, but a house in another country that you're demonstrably not living in, since you've moved back to Briitain? Hmmmm)

Lot of gaps in the story I think If they have put her up in a Hostal they get an allowance for three meals a day. She has been in Spain 23 years, I don't think having a British passport should be a meal ticket for life. Different for returning pensioners.

Damn right!!!

She has been in Spain for 23 bloody years! Why the crap should my bloody taxes go to pay for her fag and Blue Nun habit? Bollocks to her, if she wants to do something, Homebase are always hiring!

You must be joking, Blue Nun!!!!!

Blue Nun, WKD its all the same shit.... its what the chattering classes drink I think.

Very eloquently put! And I agree with you! Give her nada!

Sadly, this reply is much the same as the majority of the replies by the Daily Mail readership. Sadly, it’s also a timely reminder that when any of us expats get into trouble in Spain, often through no fault of our own, there will not be much of a welcome for us back in the UK.

I feel sorry for the daughter, brought to Spain at a young age where she had her schooling and worked for most of the time, and her son who was born in Spain.

I’ve witnessed it at close hand, even from my own family, possibly because of jealousy at our supposedly grand lifestyle in the sun, that when trouble strikes, we are not welcome back in our land of birth.

The grandmother in question, obviously a troubled woman, made a mistake in approaching a Tory run council, who don’t know the meaning of compassion, and telling the truth. Telling the truth does not appear to be an option if us expats get into trouble and have to return home.

Luckily there is information available to help us, but not from Matt..

Throw a grandmother, daughter and grandchild out on the street? I didn’t need reminding that you’re a prat, and nor did most of this forum.

Typically your tongue is hovering around the Rugby retard.


She has been looking for work and applied for jobs.

Be careful or you’ll be put on the ignore list. It gives me the opportunity to ask what it means. Does the poster’s name come up with a blank space? Do you get flashing lights saying Danger, Danger? Or the close up of a double barrelled shotgun?