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Costa Blanca expats meet with British Consul over Brexit
| Published: | 13 Feb at 6 PM |
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British Consul Sarah-Jane Morris has been touring locations across Spain in an attempt to keep worried Uk expats informed about Brexit.
At a meeting in Playa Flamenca Town Hall, Morris did her best to reassure concerned British nationals. but admitted there is much she doesn't know as yet about the progress of Brexit negotiations and their effect on UK expats living in Spain. Formerly, she had promised she would keep those affected as informed about development as was possible.
According to the Consul, those working on Brexit since the referendum have been number-crunching in order to determine exactly how many Britons are living in the country. Figures currently available suggest that around 250,000 Brits are registered on the ‘padron’ list at their local town halls, with Morris urging those who have not yet registered to do so.
The total number, she said, is crucial when negotiations begin as it will be used to determine the needs of UK expats resident in Spain. Around 108,000 British people are believed to be on the UK state pension and are afraid their payments will be frozen once the UK leaves the EU.
A number of attendees at the meeting surprised the consul by complaining the local Orhuela government was denying expat access to padron registration. Apparently, in spite of correct paperwork being presented, staff are refusing to allow them on to the list. Sofia Alvarez, Councillor for Foreign Residence in the area, reassured those concerned that this was not correct and promised to investigate individual cases along with the consul.
When asked about future plans for pensions and healthcare, Morris admitted nothing has yet been confirmed, adding the post-Brexit situation is as yet totally unclear. She stressed the Alicante and Madrid consulate teams are on standby to answer queries and dispel rumours, adding their job is to represent British nationals living in Spain.
At a meeting in Playa Flamenca Town Hall, Morris did her best to reassure concerned British nationals. but admitted there is much she doesn't know as yet about the progress of Brexit negotiations and their effect on UK expats living in Spain. Formerly, she had promised she would keep those affected as informed about development as was possible.
According to the Consul, those working on Brexit since the referendum have been number-crunching in order to determine exactly how many Britons are living in the country. Figures currently available suggest that around 250,000 Brits are registered on the ‘padron’ list at their local town halls, with Morris urging those who have not yet registered to do so.
The total number, she said, is crucial when negotiations begin as it will be used to determine the needs of UK expats resident in Spain. Around 108,000 British people are believed to be on the UK state pension and are afraid their payments will be frozen once the UK leaves the EU.
A number of attendees at the meeting surprised the consul by complaining the local Orhuela government was denying expat access to padron registration. Apparently, in spite of correct paperwork being presented, staff are refusing to allow them on to the list. Sofia Alvarez, Councillor for Foreign Residence in the area, reassured those concerned that this was not correct and promised to investigate individual cases along with the consul.
When asked about future plans for pensions and healthcare, Morris admitted nothing has yet been confirmed, adding the post-Brexit situation is as yet totally unclear. She stressed the Alicante and Madrid consulate teams are on standby to answer queries and dispel rumours, adding their job is to represent British nationals living in Spain.
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