In Focus News & Insights

On 3rd of November, the High Court ruled that Theresa May’s plan to trigger Article 50 early next year without consulting Parliament would not be allowed.  This is a massive blow to Theresa May who had intended to use royal prerogative to move ahead without consulting parliament.

As an expat myself, I have been keeping a close eye on the news relating to the British people’s decision to seek an exit from the EU. Our newspapers are filled to the brim day in and day out with commentary from the ‘Brexiteers’ and ‘Remainers’. Everyone seems to have an opinion as to what will take place, how it will look and what actions you need to take – but the basic facts at this moment in time are that ‘we don’t know’ – it is all speculation.

Great news for the clients of expat financial services: the government has announced proposals to abolish the 15-year time limit on the right of expats to participate in UK general elections.

The policy statement, which was published as part of document entitled “A democracy that works for everyone: British citizens overseas”, details the government’s idea of ensuring rigorous checks on the identities of expats so that they can register to vote without suspicion of fraud.

Furthermore, cost analysis performed by the government predicts that ending the 15-year rule and implementing an expat voting registration scheme will actually cost only a six-figure sum; far less than the millions of pounds some experts have previously claimed it would require.

Tax avoidance and tax evasion have received substantial media attention in recent years, with reports on the tax avoidance strategies employed by wealthy individuals and corporations hitting the headlines.  

In 2012, it was revealed that comedian Jimmy Carr was one of many high net worth individuals involved in the Jersey-based K2 tax scheme, which sheltered a portion of his income from HMRC. In the ensuing public backlash he issued an apology and withdrew from the scheme. 

Pensions transfers for expats may become simpler if the Department for Work & Pensions follows through on plans to drop the requirement for consumers to receive accredited advice before making an expat pension transfer.

News of the DWP’s plan came via a consultation paper published on 30 September. However, before the government gives the go-ahead to any such change in the law as is it relates to pensions transfers for expats, it is first looking for the views of experts and stakeholders.

The value of having expat regular savings has been underlined by a recent survey which showed that the typical 55-year-old borrows £6,785 against the value of their home in order to take a holiday, with others borrowing an average of £58,850 in order to buy a holiday property.

“With an average spend approaching £7,000 for holidays, travel is a popular choice for those unlocking cash from their homes, often alongside other uses to improve their lifestyle in retirement,” said Dean Mirfin, technical director at Key Retirement, the firm behind the survey.

Expats living in Gilbraltar who currently enjoying the benefits of a QROPS will be pleased to hear that the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, has said that the impending Brexit negotiations are an opportunity for the Rock to seize the moment and to ensure that the future is something it can “write for itself”.

The Chief Minister, making a statement in the days leading up to the first session of Parliament, said that it was important not to become bogged down in the contentious “in, out” arguments that marred so much of the pre-referendum campaigning. Rather, said the Chief Minister, those involved in discussions should focus on achieving positive outcomes so that Gibraltar can continue to be heavily engaged with the European Union.

British expats with regular savings could soon have to make applications for long-term residency visas if they wish to begin living in the European Union following Brexit, according to sources within the Home Office.

Any such move, which would represent something of a victory for hard-line EU negotiators, could see British expats having to provide proof of their regular savings, income and QROPS or QNUPS pensions arrangements.