tommy.irene

The Shirley Valentines back in Britain... and broke: First their sunshine marriages fell apart. Then the Greek financial crisis forced them home - where they were in for an even nastier surprise
Last year, 81,000 British citizens returned to Britain from living abroad
They're required to pass the Habitual Residence Test (HRT)
This determines whether you're eligible for benefits
It's the same test non-UK citizens arriving for the first time have to take
But HRT is so strict, sometimes actual UK citizens don't pass...


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ar...#ixzz2kzf9fQPY

Domino

surely you are entitled to move from Greece to UK as they are all part of the EU. Having a child should also mean something. And also being a British National with passport.

if it is that difficult how come so many people are wetting themselves at all those "entitled" from 1 Jan 14 to come over from the "IA" countries of Europe ???

jackytoo

See they got their benefits in the end though! They had been out of the country for more than 20 years, why shouldn't they have to do the test.

la mancha

Because she is British. What she should have done was to register as self-employed, bought a few issues of the Big Issue, and then go straight to the benefits office.

Alcalaina

Should you have had to do it then, after 15 years in Marbella?

jackytoo

Perhaps because I didn't marry a Spanish waiter
Return with teenage children born in Spain
Ask for a house and benefits
Still owned property and shares in the UK

Anymore questions pal

EMR

If she had not been resident in the UK for the past 12 months maybe she should have and certainly would have to now, what ever the circumstances.

la mancha

Doesn’t matter the personal circumstances. A British subject fallen on hard times and returning to the UK deserves help to get on their feet. Britain talks about humanitarian aid. Maybe they should practice what they preach a bit nearer to home.

EMR

No one forced them to leave the UK, they could have stayed paid their taxes but they chose to do otherwise.
We have to accept responsibility for our own decisions and not expect handouts.
How many arrive back in the UK having paid no UK tax for years and some no Spanish or Portuguese tax etc expecting HMG to come to their aid.

la mancha

If a British citizen cannot ask the UK for help when they have problems, who can they ask? This is not about ‘handouts’ or who was born where, or when they last paid taxes in the UK. Every civilised country has an obligation to help its own. The UK helps plenty of people around the world but when it comes to its own it is sadly lacking.

Domino

I hope you repeat this ridiculous statement when the next holidaymaker gets mugged, loses wallet, loses passport and asks the embassy staff for assistance.

To my mind it makes no difference if they have been here (or Greece) for 20mins or 20 years - they are UK nationals and require assistance.
If we can give it to foreigners why can't we give it to our own

There but for the grace of God go I

I for one will remember your statement and when you have questions about life in Spain will be at the front to tell you to sort it out yourself

me me

I agree.

me me

And another good post.

The problem is that the UK has to help a lot of people from uncivilised countries, too as those countires don´t give a stuff how their own live.

johnnyone

Just out of interest could you give me a couple of examples of what "uncivilised" countries you are referring to?.

me me

You mean you don´t know?