I thought that we were all equal?

[big-all]

Thanks BA. That's useful to know.

i looked into it just after i posted as you do and i am still not sure lol
but it was well known in years gone buy that people in spain where peed off and would come back to the uk when the annual gain exceded the cost off spending 6 months in a dreery damp uk

appears they get it increased now lol
https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...e-pay-an-annual-increase-in-the-state-pension

 

[RNReindeer]

Ex-pat pensioners in the EU get the annual increases, whereas ex-pat pensioners outside the EU don't, basically.
There was also talk about ex-pats in the EU not getting the winter fuel allowance, which, IIRC, is still under discussion, despite some ex-pats experiencing worst winters than the UK. I'd have to check on the up-to-date situation.

 

[Gasman28]

So, in your simple logic, would you let anyone in to OUR country?

Of course I would. People with the skills that are needed here. People that are willing to learn the language, integrate into OUR society and give something back to the country. I am all for immigration, I understand that other nationalities want to better themselves and good luck to them. The main problem is, our laws and that of the EU dictate free passage to other countries. We should adopt the Australian attitude.

My country too, but then I'm not the 'simple one' here

Can you ever make a comment without being personal? I doubt it.

(I wonder if you can be found at one of those extremist marches that various nutjobs hold every now and again to proclaim 'britishness' whilst dragging their knuckles on the ground and smashing bits of 'their' country up

Glad you brought that up. At least in OUR country we have the democratic right to free speech. Yet, if some of us wanted to march on the streets with placards denouncing Islam and death to all that want to follow it, we would be arrested. Yet your backpacker mates are allowed on OUR streets with placards stating death to all infidels. Yet, our lilly livered politicians wouldn't do a thing about it. See the difference there Ella?

But aws to the question then I guess it depends on whether you think it is only us that can improve our standard of living...

A member of our family is studying in Europe for free instead of being burdoned for life by our education system...

As a result their life chances have improved greatly...

So it would be hypocritical of me to say others shouldn't be able to do the same...

My 'simple logic' is because although local language skills were not required (courses mainly in English), we insisted on funding the learning of that local language beforehand in order to 'fit in'...

In other words being comfortable with the 'local' language!

You do spout some utter rubbish. They are abroad studying, yet the local language is English? So, by your own token, the local language in Bradford would be Urdu?

English is a victim of it's own success, because in addition to all the invading we have done, English has taken over the internet to a certain extent and music/film influences are almost everywhere...

............ so now you have a problem with OUR language?
So, all of the countries that we have invaded over the years all speak English as their first language?
Ever heard of Bollywood movies?

So how about you tell us who you would let in or not...

Already have, but unlike your backpacking mates, I would allow Muslim women a right to work, have freedom of speech, education and not shoot a schoolgirl for speaking out for female education.

Bearing in mind the huge number of ex-pats who 'improved their lot' that may be affected by your answer

Ex pats that go abroad to try to better themselves, or to retire, try to integrate into the local community, pay their taxes, spend their money and don't go on the streets with vitriolic diatribe against the chosen country that they have chosen to live.
See the difference Ella? I doubt it.

 

[Brigadier]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30002138

Sensible decision - move around the EU as you please, but not on a "benefits round tour".

Is it that the Socialist experiment is becoming more, right-wing?

 

[JBR]

A small step in the right direction.

Being a first class cynic, it occurs to me that this minor concession has been granted to us because:

1. Germany asked for it;
2. they're beginning to worry about us leaving their 'club'.

 

[wkdhd]

Is it that the Socialist experiment is becoming more, right-wing?

There are plenty of EU rules agreed between all the countries as to who can claim benefits and when. It is beyond me why, according to the daily mail, they are not applied.

http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/ECintheUK...efit-claimants-and-nhs-treatment-entitlement/

Actually, I imagine the DM, ukip and the rest of them are quite wrong. I don't know if any of you have actually tried to claim benefits, Job Centres do their damndest not to give you any.

 

[JBR]

Actually, I imagine the DM, ukip and the rest of them are quite wrong. I don't know if any of you have actually tried to claim benefits, Job Centres do their damndest not to give you any.

I suspect that's because you are British.

 

[Brigadier]

Actually, I imagine the DM, ukip and the rest of them are quite wrong. I don't know if any of you have actually tried to claim benefits, Job Centres do their damndest not to give you any.

I suspect that's because you are British.

Or you look like you are not a dead loss.

My uncle was without work over the winter of 2008 (or so - I don't exactly recall).
As a plasterer with no site work, he thought sod it, and went to see what he could claim.
nothing, was his answer.
Unlike the mouth-breather with the tattooed neck, and beer can in hand, next to him, at job centre opening time. Straight in and out, benefits handed over without question.

 

[wkdhd]

I suspect that's because you are British.

Jesus you are a bigot

 

[JBR]

I suspect that's because you are British.

Jesus you are a bigot

I'm glad you fell for it!

 

[wkdhd]

What you said is entirely in sync with most of what you write.

 

[JBR]

What you said is entirely in sync with most of what you write.

Well at least I'm consistent!

 

[Whitespirit66]

I suspect that's because you are British.

Jesus you are a bigot

Yawn!

 

[Norcon]

One of the reasons a sandwich company has to source workers in Bulgaria and other ee countries has to be the huge handouts that the spongers claim.

I mean why do a menial job when you can just fleece the taxpayer with ease?

That said IDS has pulled quite tightly on the reins. With clegg still lashing the whip.

 

[jeds]

Seems pretty simple to me; a certain amount of immigration is good for the UK and we would be worse off without it. You can moan all you like about it but that's the fact. What skews everything is the imbalance in handouts which attracts higher numbers than we need or can cope with or can afford. The way to resolve that is make UK benefits comparable with other European Countries and we should not be paying for children that don't reside here. Most countries pay some benefits but most have a qualifying period, which we do not, and most only pay benefits after a period of working, which we do not. From non EU Countries we should pay benefits for a limited period only (to cover emergency loss of job etc.) after which a plane ticket home. The main loophole in the law which needs to be changed is having children in this Country. Immigrants, including illegal ones, know that once they have a child here we will pay all benefits for that family for the rest of their lives and often it's a ticket for the rest of the family to come as well. That needs to stop.