Gran Alacant Forum
Gran Alacant Forum => General Discussions => Topic started by: John H on February 18, 2016, 08:58.
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Just a thought, if we are heading for a Brexit will we see a rush of folk taking up residency whilst they can?
I know quite a few folk who are in GA 24/7 who have never taken up residency
Regards all
John
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From what I understand (albeit from the press/media), there will be a two year phasing in period although I agree John that residency for many that spend more time in GA than in the UK would make sense as they could lose a number of benefits that come with being a member of the EU. I understand that free movement will still remain on either decision.
Cal
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although I agree John that residency for many that spend more time in GA than in the UK would make sense
Cal
Isnt it true that if you spend more time n GA than the UK you HAVE to be a resident ?
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although I agree John that residency for many that spend more time in GA than in the UK would make sense
Cal
Isnt it true that if you spend more time n GA than the UK you HAVE to be a resident ?
Yes we all know 'the rules' and we know that you should change your car over to Spanish plates, ITV etc after six months of it being out of the UK but how many do? Me being a bit cynical person thinks that a number of people are living abroad and are still claiming UK benefits such as sickness (many have been caught out) will not go 'legal' and will still continue to return to the UK for their hospital/doctor appointments.
Cheers
Cal
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Spot on Cal, far too many want the best of both worlds and cheat the systems to do it
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Isnt it true that if you spend more time n GA than the UK you HAVE to be a resident ?
You must become resident if you spend more than 183 days per calendar year here. 8)
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If the uk leaves the eu,then the thousands of long term tourists who receive uk welfare payments/benefits who live in spain ,France etc will have to decide to sign off or go back to the uk, eventually the dwp will come looking within europe as they have done in other parts of the world
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From what I understand (albeit from the press/media), there will be a two year phasing in period although I agree John that residency for many that spend more time in GA than in the UK would make sense as they could lose a number of benefits that come with being a member of the EU. I understand that free movement will still remain on either decision.
Cal
The real truth is that nobody knows what will happen if the UK leave the EU. A lot of the out campaign will try and tell you what will happen they don't really know they are just using the immigrant bandwagon to get their own way.There have been no rules or regulations written up to say what will happen,none of the other countries have said what changes they would make if the UK comes out,so how can anybody decide which will be in there interest. My own thoughts are big business will dictate what actually happens and the slightest hint of uncertainty and there will major problems.
Graham
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In reply to calsh, its so silly that there may be some people claiming 'sickness' benefit as you think and not going legal, it is possible to be living there legally in those circumstances and the health system in spain is excellent so i hear. We have a lady living near us who is the reverse of the situation, (in england by theway) who is french resident and car for the past few years but here, dont really understand it.
Hazel
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In reply to calsh, its so silly that there may be some people claiming 'sickness' benefit as you think and not going legal, it is possible to be living there legally in those circumstances and the health system in spain is excellent so i hear. We have a lady living near us who is the reverse of the situation, (in england by theway) who is french resident and car for the past few years but here, dont really understand it.
Hazel
Hi Hazel, we know of two people personally who spend most of the year in GA and return to the UK (sometimes just overnight) for 'a hospital appointment', these people are of working age but do not work in GA. A few years ago we got talking to a lady from Ireland who was living in GA and after a few drinks we asked how she could afford to live without working and she said 'the Irish Government are good to me'. In terms of healthcare in Spain, nobody is critising it and we had to attend Elche hospital a few ago and had a good patient experience.
Cheers
Cal
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I know it does happen, as it has with the lady i referred to, i just dont really understand if you want to stay in spain you dont just do it, when it is legally allowed.
Re the brexit, i for one hope it doesnt happen as i believe we are stronger together and that if we came out it would send our economy into panic and freefall, as well as the european economy too. Heres hoping, from my point of view at least, that we all stay european.
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Spot on Cal, far too many want the best of both worlds and cheat the systems to do it
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Are you sincerely suggesting that the UK NHS is better than the Spanish Health Services? Having experienced them both ... I beg to differ ...
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The OUT campaign is being fought on a false premise, IMO. Whilst we undoubtedly have a significant number of EU workers, primarily from the Eastern States, a very large number of immigrants are from outside the EU and therefore Brexit will have no effect whatsoever.
Whilst there is much about the EU that needs sorting out, it is my opinion that DC is approaching this problem from the wrong direction. The real issue is our profligate benefits system. We are paying working tax credits to EU workers whilst at the same time we pay benefits to indigenous UK individuals who claim "there ain't no jobs, mate". That is quite apart from a crazy child benefit system that rewards 'baby making machines' and funding large families elsewhere in the EU by subsidising other EU country's economies through the child benefit system.
Whilst we need to replace our ageing population, overall there is not a need to increase it generally. If DC is serious about controlling immigration, he needs a root and branch revision of the UK benefits system, not a bit of minor tweaking of EU rules. That will merely create an increasingly complex system to rival that of the equally 'not fit for purpose' UK tax system that is so complex, it is larger than the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
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Starting to look like we may well exit, Cameron is never going to get better terms for the UK, I realise that for people like us it is likely to have implications owning a house in Spain but I am sick of the EU and having an unelected organization forcing policy on us so I will be voting for out for my kids and grandchildren's future.
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Spot on Cal, far too many want the best of both worlds and cheat the systems to do it
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Are you sincerely suggesting that the UK NHS is better than the Spanish Health Services? Having experienced them both ... I beg to differ ...
I don't think there was any suggestions that one healthcare system is better than the other (both extremely different, for example, the majority of UK monies in the NHS goes into community services, to fund services such as district nurses, community specialist teams, community physiotherapy etc etc, whereas, in Spain there is little, if any, community health services). The best of both world's was relating to wanting the Spanish lifestyle and wanting the UK 'benefits' to fund this and in order to keep the 'benefit cash' flowing then individuals have to remain in ill health in the country giving the money (hence the flying back for hospital appointments)!
Cheers
Cal
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Apparently, Spain is the number one destination for UK benefit fraud, costing an estimated £82 Million each year, therefore, I am sure a few claimants could be living in or around GA.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/expat-money/11026524/Expat-benefits-cheats-cost-Britain-82million.html
Cal
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As a 40% taxpayer in the uk,if i was aware of anybody in GA claiming uk benefits without informing dwp they spent there lives living in the sun, i would gladly shop them. On the subject of brexit, i keep hearing what a great boost migration is to the uk economy, so why are the new eastern members so against the removal of benefits paid, thinking more if they are such an economic benefit to the uk why on earth do they need benefits at all. Im confused
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Excellent Victor, can't fault your logic, truth is immigrants in the UK aren't the boost to the economy that we are told, I had a Turkish family as potential tenants for one of my houses, they were on low wages so qualified for £484 a month housing benefit, had two kids so two child benefits as well, so ho w are they contributors to our economy ?
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Coming ut of the EU isn't going to change any of that. Only changing our benefits system will change the phenomenal amount that we pay out in benefits, not just to migrants but to UK residents as well.
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Agree Tony, but if we come out of the EU, we can start by stopping social security to incoming immigrants which would be a step in the right direction.
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Have to admit i am in agreement with tony too, i have long though that giving child benefit for ever increasing multiples of children in a family is wrong and think payments should stop after two and have been shocked to hear how much can be given out in housing benefit, tax credits etc, i am not generally a cameron fan and think he is trying to reign these payments in but feel its an uphill battle which will take a very long time. Unfortunately there is a small element of our culture that needs to change with some people taking more responsibility for themselves and not just taking an attitude of being better off on benefits so why should they work.
Hazel
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I think it's time this particular gravy train is parked up for good . If other countries manage with much less in benefits than we do then we should make ours less attractive . Family allowance for 2 children only and means test it . Total available benefit should be the same amount that 1 person can earn on the new living wage after tax for 40 hours ....
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Totally agree Hazel and Spurs.
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When is England leaving? Have the bottle of Cava already in the fridge ...
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Dont open it yet then, i am waiting to celebrate with mine when we are voted in. It will be an interesting few months
Hazel
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I think it's time this particular gravy train is parked up for good . If other countries manage with much less in benefits than we do then we should make ours less attractive . Family allowance for 2 children only and means test it . Total available benefit should be the same amount that 1 person can earn on the new living wage after tax for 40 hours ....
minimum "leefloon" in Belgium for a person living alone is some 1200 euros. Per month, tax-free. Plus other costs, like e.g. child benefit etc.
I always wonder when I hear English people talking about their unique "benefits" what they actually mean ...
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Is it time limited? Even if we continued at the current level, which I don't think we should, it should be limited in duration.
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For years I've always believed we should stay in.........not any more.
The Euro is doomed to fail,the refugee crisis is showing there is no true union or real power in Brussels, each and every country is only interested looking after their own interests, the EU is a massive bureaucratic expense in self destruct mode.
Issues we have with the EU IMHO are far greater than the relative minor amount we pay in tax credits/family allowance to people who come to the UK to work.
I've got the cigar ready for the 24th June
Regards all
John
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right: need anyone to show you the door?
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Saw an interesting article this morning that over the last few days the penny has dropped for many of the EU leaders that the UK may actually leave and somewhat belatedly they are realising that it would be the last thing they want and totally not in their countries interest and even the Germans are saying it would be a disaster and may lead to the end of the EU altogether
There is a feeling creeping into the EU that more concessions may need to be offered over and above what Cameron managed to get and they expect these to be filtered in as the referendum countdown starts in Ernest so it's starting to look like they want us to stay after all .
I think the big issue will be convincing the uk public as almost everyone you speak to wants out at the moment
So let the campaigning begin !!!
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Hi John
Do you think we could start a poll on here in or out
Muste
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I'm not sure if the facility exists to do it in privacy, we'd all have to post our own opinion and hope that someone would keep score......unless Les knows how to facilitate it.
A couple of mates on Facebook have done polls today, both got 20 plus replies and it tots up c. 80% in favour of out.
After the last election you wonder at the relevance of polls!!
Regards all
John
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strange. The German and French press are full since months asking WHEN finally the English will leave. Scotland is staying in any case, so get you passports ready ...
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OK, the poll is on so get voting. Each member gets one vote only but you are able to change your vote later on if you wish to.
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Thanks Les
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All this recent negotiation is like playing poker, in the UKs case we have a hand worth 10 billion net which if we left the game this amount would still need to be found by the other players.
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Well, the divisions have been drawn with various politicians stating their positions and I guess now the media will rise to a frenzy debating the pro and against positions.
Perhaps I am cynical, but I think the outcome will be shaped by the media. The BBC, Mail, Times,Sun etc will have enormous power and will influence the outcome (scary that Rupert Murdoch is shaping our EU future)
I have been a member of the EU for most of my life following the 1975 referendum which was a positive 67 % involving a choice to stay with eight other countries - not even Spain was a member then - they joined in 1985.
The selfish view (and I admit its not taking everything into account) is what outcome is going to best for the Great Britain Ltd ?
I am a way off retirement, my kids all have decent jobs in Manufacturing what is going to be best for the "middle" masses ?
I am expecting the jingoistic rhetoric to rise and rise at the expense of what really matters - our ability to be competitive as a exporter to Europe.
What next Boris Johnson as PM and Donald Trump as President ? - God help us !
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The nightmare scenario Boris as PM and Trump as president I don't think it could be more crazy !! Problem is us and the Americans and daft enough to put them in . Boris is everyone's favourite village idiot and what is Trump thinking about with that hair Had no one got the guts to tell him he looks a twat
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"no one got the guts to tell him he looks a twat"
Who Boris or Trump ?? :o :o
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Donald Trump !!! I'm sure he must be bald and that is a very dodgy wig if not a trip to a decent barber would help his campaign
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Maybe he'll be hair today, gone tomorrow. The idea of a face-off between Trump and Kim Jong Il is rather disturbing.
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More like hair today goon tomorrow.
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A look into the future????
A private jet arrives at Heathrow international airport and President Donald Trump strides to a waiting limousine which drives him to a warm and dignified reception from the Queen. From there, they are driven in a 1934 Bentley to the edge of central London where they change to a magnificent 17th century carriage hitched to six white horses.
They continue on towards Buckingham Palace waving to the thousands of cheering Britons; all is going well.
Suddenly, the right rear horse lets fly with the most horrendous earth-shattering fart ever heard in the British Empire . The fart shakes the coach. The smell is atrocious! Both passengers in the carriage must use perfume-dipped handkerchiefs over their noses, but the two do their best to ignore the incident.
The Queen turns to Trump saying, "Mr. Trump, please accept my regrets. I am sure you understand there are some things that even a Queen cannot control."
Trump, with his usual diplomatic aplomb replied, "Your Majesty, do not give the matter another thought.
Until you mentioned it, I thought it was one of the horses"
Regards all
John
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Thank you Les
Mushte
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sterling at a seven year low. Someone is voting already ...
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someone is already voting .... one year graph attached
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Early days I know but I'm surprised that 30% are saying they'd vote to leave, after all people on this forum I would guess have more of a vested interest in staying in than the public as a whole.
Regards all
John
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Only those ex-pats with a residencia have a particular" vested interest", as they stand to lose their access to healthcare.
Bert
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The biggest threat to the stay in campaign will be the millions of average joe public who live on estates with normal employment earning average wages.To us the big picture doesnt matter, the long term is irrelevant what we see every day is our taxes subsidising europe with our schools and hospitals collapsing under the growing population. Yes an academic will argue that the UK benefits and it probably does but do we care.
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All that means is more suffering for tourist areas reliant on uk visitors, most people have a budget spend,a poor rate just means less euros or dollars in the till, no winners methinks
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and what about british exporters? They must be winning :-) big time ...
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I have a vested interest in staying in as I have a house on ga but I still want out, the UK is being ruined by the EU, well the whole of Europe as well.
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just noticed this one:
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In a nutshell, do you vote for a mix of politicians from various European nations to spend our money on hair brained schemes, or do you vote for British politicians to waste our money on hair brained schemes.
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Your so right a lower pound makes our products cheaper to buy, that can only boost the uk economy further
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Every clouds got a sliver lining :D
A year ago we seriously considered putting the Spanish house on the market...........looking into her crystal ball our solicitor said "if you dont need the money hold on for a few years.........property prices are on the up and the exchange rate can only get better"
Ignoring any price increase the exchange rate means a sale now would deliver £14,250 more into the UK bank account than it did a year ago.
I doubt there will be, but if there's a sterling collapse come late June there might be a house for sale on Novamar at a very attractive price for a quick sale.
Regards all
John
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so your solicitor was wrong and priced did NOT rise in Euros?
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I have a vested interest in staying in as I have a house on ga but I still want out, the UK is being ruined by the EU, well the whole of Europe as well.
hear, hear.
what was it again about turkeys voting for christmas?
:-)
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I said ignoring any price increase, if prices have gone up, which they appear to have done, I'll be able to treat myself to a few more cigars
Regards all
John
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We had three topics running concurrently with the subject line "Brexit". I have now merged them into one topic i.e. this one.