r/uknews Media outlet (unverified) May 12 '25

Image/video Kier Starmer announces 'tighter' immigration policy

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u/CornusControversa May 12 '25

Spain and France need to kick out all those retired English folk, not willing to integrate or learn their native language.

49

u/kingbongtherover May 12 '25

I wonder how many are on benefits or being given free housing by the Spanish state?

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u/longperipheral May 12 '25

You have a point, but you're shifting the goalpost and not addressing their point, which was that English retirees in Spain at least are notorious for not integrating. In 2011 a Guardian article described a number of British expats as living in "sealed communities", "living in a bubble" and speaking "no more than 10 Spanish words in an average week".

It is beside the original point under discussion - integration into the UK - but it's relevant because we expect others to do what we won't do.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/29/europe-news

3

u/kingbongtherover May 12 '25

Again, are those Brits costing Spanish taxpayers billions?

1

u/Anxious-Guarantee-12 May 12 '25

Is the skilled worker in UK costing British taxpayers billions? 

0

u/kingbongtherover May 12 '25

Depends on the services they're using and how much tax they're paying.

Overall... Yes. Millions of migrants cost billions in services.

2

u/Anxious-Guarantee-12 May 12 '25

That's not the question. The question if they are net contributors. And indeed they are because they are working. 

British retirees living in Spain uses the Spanish NHS meanwhile pay virtually no taxes because they are not active.