Discrimination or a victory for common sense?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....ory-common-sense.html

[Lonnie]

A long overdue dose of Common Sense.

[notasyoungasiwas]

Hear hear !

[pa___ul3]

let's hope Spain and France don't impose the same law on British ex-pats!
Although I do agree it's fair, I think everyone should learn the language of the country they're going to live in!

[Ankou]

this was the appeal. the decision was already made in july.

[boxtops]

I know several people who live in Spain who can't speak a word of the language - perhaps they should be thrown out too.

[naomi24]

No, I don't think it is a victory for common sense. I've no objection to people who can't speak the language coming here as long as they're self-supporting, law-abiding, and don't expect teachers to ignore the needs of other children whilst teaching theirs, or translators to be provided for them when they need to speak to officials or to medical personnel. Far better to say if you come here, you're on your own. No benefits, and no special concessions.

[mightyWBA]

Paul I think the ruling was made because the spouse would become a burden on the state due to his lack of skills in getting a job.
Most ex pats in Spain have retired there and have pensions from working in Britain,or as EU citizeney have a right to live there whether they speak Spanish or not.
I applied to emigrate to Canada a few years ago and they have a point scoring system and financial tests in place before you can gain entry to their country.

It's about time we weeded out immigrants who are just coming here for benefits ,regardless of where they come from..This country can't afford it,we have enough indigenous scroungers as it is!

[naomi24]

That's exactly my point, Boxy. They don't rely upon the state to help them out. They're in Spain - but they're not a burden - they look after themselves.

[mightyWBA]

*citizen they

[boxtops]

That is perfectly true, naomi, although they are prolific users of the health service out there.

[jake-the-peg]

we have a point scoring system for immigration too WBA

http://www.ukba.homeo...v.uk/pointscalculator

[Ankou]

and probably still complain about foregin doctors

[NOX]

My cleaner couldn't speak a word of English when she got here, within about 6 months she was pretty fluent. It's far easier to learn a language when you are immersed in it- quite difficult by contrast in isolation. I also don't see the correlation between not being able to speak English and being a benefit scrounger- plenty of unskilled jobs you don't need to be fluent in English for and you can scrounge very well if you're a native British person I've noticed.

[naomi24]

I'm not sure of the regulations, but I believe there are limited reciprocal arrangements within Europe, Boxy. Perhaps Sqad can enlighten us.

[mightyWBA]

Cheers Jake..I think I'll have a go at that and fail..Hopefully I'll get deported to a nice Caribbean island :-)

[naomi24]

Nox, there's little we can do about our native scroungers - but that doesn't mean we should encourage others.

[Old_Geezer]

It seems fair enough to me. One ought to be able to learn enough to 'get by' at least. Unless you are being employed by a company who are looking after you to such an extent you need not speak the local language, then you should be able to communicate with the natives. The concession that allows relatives already here to prove they can pay your way while you 'come up to speed', is a generous one.

[neil42]

There is nothing stopping the uk residents emigrating o be with there partners.Why dont they.