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British expats blast UK’s ‘lacklustre’ offer on Brexit rights

Jun 30, 2017 | Articles

UK citizens living in Europe have condemned the British government’s decision not to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK, despite plans to maintain reciprocal healthcare rights and the ‘triple lock’ on pensions.

A 15-page policy paper published by the government on Monday, said prime minister Theresa May is seeking to maintain existing healthcare arrangements with the EU as well as guaranteeing the triple lock on pensions for the 472,000 UK citizens retired in the EU.

May also unveiled a new “settled status” for EU citizens living in the UK that will give applicants the same “indefinite leave to remain” status as many non-European nationals who have also lived in Britain for five years.

EU citizens resident in Britain will have to apply for an identity card after Brexit under Home Office proposals on their future rights.

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British campaigners in Spain blast Theresa May on Brexit citizen rights proposals

Jun 30, 2017 | Articles, News

BRITISH expat campaigners in Spain have slammed Theresa May’s offer on retaining current citizens’ rights.

Expats living in the EU are concerned the prime minister will sacrifice some of their rights during discussions.

Sue Wilson of Bremain In Spain urged May to accept the EU’s proposals rather than the 15-page plan she unveiled in the House Of Commons this week.

Wilson said: “If May wants to be ‘fair and serious’, she should just agree quickly to everything the EU has already proposed. We are merely asking to maintain the status quo, with no degradation of our rights – it’s not a matter of generosity but of justice.”

She added: “If she is proposing to limit rights and freedoms in any way, then we deserve to know which of those rights she is prepared to sacrifice.”

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Growing concern for British citizen’s rights in EU

Jun 30, 2017 | Articles, News

BRITONS living in Europe have expressed disgust after UK government releases detailed plans for EU citizens in Britain post-Brexit.

The government paper released last week includes vast amounts of information on how EU citizens living in the UK will be allowed to stay, what rights they will have and how to achieve the settled status.

It comes a fortnight after the EU submitted a four-page proposal that the rights of all EU citizens who stand to be affected by Brexit be guaranteed for life.

Instead, the UK plans to allow citizens who have had five years residency to be granted the settled status immediately following the exit from the EU whilst those who arrived before the triggering of Article 50 but do not have 5 years residency will be given the chance to build up to this status.

The UK government has in this paper however, not provided details on how it expects UK citizens in Europe to be treated by simply repeating that it expects the EU to reciprocate the same rights. Sue Wilson of Bremain in Spain, a group representing about 30,000 people, told the Guardian that expats are “simply asking to maintain the status quo, with no degradation of our rights” and that to do this requires the UK government to reciprocate the previous EU document which provides lifetime security of their rights to healthcare, job security, residency and access to a full pension.

The government negotiating strategy seems to be to offer less than is already available which could leave UK citizens in Europe with less than they could have had.

Britons are the largest national expat group at risk of feeling the effects of Brexit yet seem to have the least focus in a government strategy which is making them feel most vulnerable.

Some of the most damaging proposals are plans to end the right for citizens to bring elderly parents, sick relatives or EU partners into the UK. This is a plan which, if reciprocated as the UK Government expects, would mean UK settlers in the EU would have to move back home to care for loved ones. It would also mean Britons living in Europe and married to EU citizens and would not have the automatic right to return home with their spouse.

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EU and British citizens’ rights must be ringfenced from Brexit no-deal, say campaigners

May 3, 2017 | Articles

Five million EU and British citizens should have their rights ring fenced in the event of a Brexit ‘no-deal’, say campaigners.

Bremain in Spain chair Sue Wilson called for ‘assurances’ that current rights would be maintained even if Britain fails to strike an overall deal with the EU.

It comes after the EU published its Brexit negotiating guidelines, which stated the rights of more than one million-EU based Brits and three million UK-based EU citizens should be protected.

But a Bremain in Spain spokesperson said people are ‘living in limbo…and being used as bargaining chips’ as there is no agreement to ‘ring fence’ citizens’ rights in the event of no final deal.

Wilson said: “We are greatly encouraged by the EU’s commitment to protect our rights for life.

“It seems clear that this is a red line for the EU and will provide much needed reassurance to millions of people who are worried about their futures.

“What would reassure us even more would be a similar commitment from the UK government.”

She added: “Furthermore, we need assurances that any deal agreed relating to citizens’ rights is guaranteed, regardless of other negotiations, and especially in the event of a ‘no deal’ scenario.”

Bremain in Spain is part of a coalition of expat groups called British in Europe.

Campaigners also called on UK political parties to include a pledge to maintain all rights of EU citizens currently living in the UK in their election manifestos.

Jeremy Morgan QC, a member of British in Europe, added: “We need all sides to agree to ring-fence that deal so that it will continue to stand even if there is no wider agreement covering all other matters, or if this is delayed.”

See article on Expatica