tea4too

Hi Kirsten. Your earlier post on this subject has received replies, however in brief I think the consensus view is (in the circumstances you describe) as a British citizen by descent you cannot pass that status on to your child and s/he will need a visa to enter the UK. A qualified Migration Agent would be better placed to give you definitive advice though. Tx www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser

There are a number of conditions that both you and your mum would need to meet before Carer's Allowance would be payable. Eligibility is not based on National Insurance Contributions however you do need to have lived in the UK for two of the last three years. You also need to show that you meet the Habitual Residence test. I've attached a link to the relevant page of the government website as it sets out the conditions of eligibility, but from the information posted it seems you would probably not qualify. T x www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility

I feel your pain Kirsten as I am dizzy from trying to navigate the UK Government’s Immigration site. However I did stumble on a document allegedly designed to “explain how parents who are British citizens can pass their citizenship on to their children born outside the United Kingdom on or after 1 January 1983.” I think sections 4 and 8 may be particularly relevant in the circumstances you describe, but a registered UK migration agent would be better placed to provide qualified advice, so have added the UK Government’s advice on that too in case you ultimately need to go down that route. Good luck – I hope it all works out. T x www.gov.uk/government/publications/children-born-outside-the-uk-british-citizenship www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser

The NHS is under specific pressure from a change in the age profile of citizens– it is top heavy with an increasingly aged population due to people living longer, while the working age population is reducing due to a decrease in the birth rate. Migrant workers help to bridge the gap and, as their average age is 39 years, it will be several decades before they themselves require help and support in their final years. Immigration is a red herring and not the key factor in the problems being faced by the NHS.

I agree. An ageing population with people living longer but not necessarily healthier is a bigger strain on the NHS than immigration. The majority of migrants to the UK are of working age, and the 2015 Report for the UK office of Budget Responsibility found that migration is actually beneficial to the sustainability of public debt. The real issue is government’s sustained underfunding while pressures on Health and Social Care budgets continue to increase. T x

I get why people focus on the fact that a 20 year old is an adult, especially when they may have been out in the world fending for themselves at a similar age. But others including perhaps the OP’s daughter, are less capable and more vulnerable irrespective of their age. Reading between the lines I would guess the OP’s daughter is not someone who would necessarily seek adventure or take life’s challenges in her stride, and her perceived vulnerability is something of a worry and an issue for her mother. Whether that is enough reason for you to put your life on hold indefinitely Scousers1 is the question. To be honest, I get the impression you have mulled this over for a long time and are approaching a crossroads where for your own peace of mind you need to weigh everything logically and emotionally then get on with making a decision, however there is no right or wrong answer because this is not an exam. You are weighing your needs and options with those of your daughter. By default it seems that she has already done that and made her decision – to stay. Accept that and then give yourself permission to work out what’s best for you in the circumstances – and get on and do it. Life is a series of decisions and as an adult your daughter will face many more as she gets older. Perhaps allow her to make this one without the responsibility of preventing you from making yours? T x

I would just add that Education is a devolved issue in the UK. So what happens in England does not necessarily happen in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.... which can make it a bit tricky when giving or reading advice on the forum unless clear about the home country being referred to. T x

Health care is a devolved issue in the UK and Wales has provided for free NHS prescriptions since 2007, with Northern Ireland adopting the same approach from 2010 and Scotland 2011. The Welsh Health Minister continues to support the policy on the basis that it is a long term investment in people’s health, keeping people out of hospital and cutting overall NHS costs. Prevention being better (and generally cheaper) than cure, I guess. Whatever the process some people will abuse it, but I read somewhere that setting up an admin system to process payments, assess exemptions, chase fraud and such like has been valued as a more expensive system to administer. Painkillers such as paracetamol and aspirin are available on prescription when patients need them in larger quantities than pharmacies and supermarkets can legally provide. T x

Local council arrangements seem to vary enormously, with some a lot better than others. If you haven't seen it before this might help. T x www.recyclenow.com

I dithered about my earlier post, but decided I'm a big girl now and should be able to clarify something without confrontation or causing offence if I choose my words carefully. Clearly I failed! So apologies, and I will leave the thread rather than risk derailing it further. T x

I hesitated about replying Ramot as I am not looking to be confrontational but having reread the post you quote I am a bit bewildered as to why @Chortlepuss views on life in the UK might be interpreted as critical of Aus? The OP is (or was) considering a retired life in the UK and I guess she would therefore appreciate knowing that a recent visitor found it a friendly place with plenty to occupy retired people, especially as perceptions might be different given the current political climate of austerity. I accept that it is probably helpful to point out that much of what the OP is looking for is available in Aus too but, tbh, I can’t see how Chortrlpuss was (directly or indirectly) criticising Aus or perpetuating the myths you refer to. Anyway, Livvy - I am sorry you have decided to withdraw from PIO, but hope you find the support and peace of mind you need and deserve. And Cortlepuss, the Mumbles is beautiful – your sister has taste?. T x

With my pedantic hat on, this section of PIO is titled 'Moving Back to the UK/ UK Chat,' with its purpose clarified as “Are you an expat in Australia moving back to the UK. Use this forum to discuss the move back…..” which may go some way to explain why Home & Happy is confused that people who do not share his/her experience or views respond negatively to his/her posts. Personally I take extreme opinions about living in either the UK or Aus with a large pinch of salt. Occasionally I feel the need to challenge an outrageous or misleading statement, but mostly I accept that discouraging people from posting their thoughts doesn’t actually change the way they think, and in all probability a small minority may well share their views. So I’m happy for everyone to post away so long as everyone else can challenge and provide balance where necessary. The only real issue is those posters who think patronising and rude comments add weight to their argument, when in reality it probably achieves the opposite (and not suggesting anyone has done that in this thread btw). T x

I don’t necessarily subscribe to the general view that Australia is a better place for children as it’s possible to raise happy, well-adjusted, well educated kids in both countries. However a sense of belonging is different, something that can be hard to define and even harder to achieve. Perhaps your memories have become distorted over the last six and half years, in which case a trip back to the UK may be all that is needed to reset your emotional clock. On the other hand it may confirm that you are happiest elsewhere, and while that could present new dilemmas at least you would know what you are dealing with. Either way try not to be too hard on yourself as migration is not an exam. We all want to find a place where we can be happy and raise our children safely, and only you can decide where that place is for you. T x

Education is a devolved matter in the UK and as a result policies, funding, curriculum and exam process will differ depending on which of the four home countries you choose to return to. T x

I know it's not an exact science but we were on Amber Alert, reading warnings of flash floods, potential threat to life, widespread and prolonged thunderstorms......and I was really starting to worry. So I took notice of the the warning that there might be disruption to power supplies and found the torches and bottled water. Going to bed I also left clothes handy incase we had to take some sort of action to protect our property or help neighbours in the small hours, and I fully expected a sleepless night due to the predicted storm, thunder and lightening. However we had a bit of rain. Not continuous, not overly heavy and certainly no thunder or lightening. To be fair other parts of the country suffered far worse, and the day before there had been loss of life due to a car being caught up in a flash flood,so I am not really complaining as such. But I think i might be just a little less concerned the next time we have an Amber Warning and that's not necessarily a good thing. T x

An overseas marriage or civil partnership is normally recognised in the UK so long as local law has been followed. You don’t need to register the marriage or partnership in the UK. This may help: www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad

You are contemplating an adventure, a new chapter in your life that is exciting and maybe a little scary at the same time. The grandparents on the other hand face a completely different future to the one they anticipated, however the huge difference in your situations is choice. You have it, the grandparents don’t, and because of that they feel vulnerable and anxious. I tend to agree with Quoll that people left behind often face emotions akin to bereavement and in those circumstances it’s not always easy to be logical, sensible or even fair. But, personally, as you are in the driving seat I think you can afford to be magnanimous. Acknowledge how hard this is for them and maybe soften some of the impact by talking about it in terms of the next stage of your life, rather than the final chapter. Explain it as something you need to do, something your family wants to experience. None of us know what the future holds - we can only make decisions based on the opportunities that come our way and our courage to take them. And while they may not want to hear that this is an opportunity that you will regret if you simply let it pass by, on some level they will eventually understand, because they love you. Just be prepared for it to take time. T x

Lovely posts guys. I have read a little about your reasons for returning to the UK on other threads but it interesting, despite very different circumstances, that each of you mention a sense of belonging. What causes or creates that I wonder, and why does it affect some people and not others? @Quollreturned ‘home’ albeit in challenging and difficult circumstances, while @VERYSTORMY and @LKC moved to different parts of the UK so in that sense embarked on a completely new start, which suggests it’s not just about familiarity. Although we have never lived in Aus we did relocate to a different area of the UK and knew fairly quickly this was home. The culture, the language, accents, landscape, coastline and history made this a very different place to be and the country steals a piece of your heart if you’re willing to let it. Maybe that’s it. Maybe a sense of belonging is easier to achieve when a place fits you, rather than you having to adjust to fit it? T x

"Some members of the Windrush generation have been wrongly deported, Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes has admitted to ITV News. Asked whether people who had been resident in the UK for decades had been deported, Ms Nokes said: "There have been some horrendous situations which as a minister have appalled me." Nobody is admitting to the numbers involved and until a few days ago Theresa May refused to even discuss the policy with representatives of those affected. This terrible policy is only being reviewed because of the scale of public pressure. www.itv.com/news/2018-04-16/some-members-of-windrush-generation-have-been-wrongly-deported-immigration-minister-admits/

Blimey, even for the UK that's some difference in today's weather. We've got blue skies and sunshine just now - took this photo of our blossom tree a few moments ago. T x

Love York @LKC, so much to see and do, and have been to the Black Country Museum many times. South Wales is only a couple of hours from Birmingham so if looking to go a little further afield next time maybe consider a visit to the Museum of Welsh life, a great day out with free admission. Castell Coch is worth a look too, and perhaps Cardiff with its Victorian arcades, the Castle, Bute Park and the Water Bus, the Bay - lots to see and do (whatever the weather ). But coming back the OP, it isn’t about what is wrong with Aus and right with the UK, or vice versa. They are different countries with different climates, history and focus. Where you feel most at home is down to what matters to you most as an individual and a family, and it’s only a problem if you find yourself in the ‘wrong’ place at the wrong time. Knowing that the sun shines more brightly in Aus doesn’t detract from a wet summer day in the UK – not if you are where you want to be,, doing stuff you like doing with people you care about. It's perhaps not that different to life anywhere in that respect. T x

I have never lived in Australia. T x

I agree that the UK is a great place to live and we do live in a nice part of the country which helps, but it's not always a case of putting up with the weather tbh as I like the seasons and temperate climate. The older I get the more I seem to prefer it - the sky may never be quite as wide and bright as the one in Aus, but a softer shade of blue and gently changing clouds can still put a spring in your step! The climate is responsible for much of what we take for granted in terms of the coastline and national parks, but you only need to take a short trip from most city centres to discover pretty villages, fields and hedgerows. Our wildlife too is supported by the weather the country experiences. I do get why bright sunshine and wide blue skies are probably high on the agenda for many Aus migrants but, in the same way, unpredictable, generally mild, short lived extremes of weather can be a bonus for some UK residents too. T x

If someone is posting within the rules of PIO I think they should be able to post about their feelings without risk of ridicule. Thoughts, views and opinions are not always factual, and individual preference can result in two people sharing an identical experience in a completely different manner. I don’t see PIO as simply a factual reference tool for migrants, it is a community of people with a wide range of experience that is shared, commented on, ignored or explored. Personally I have no doubt that the whole of Australia does not experience ‘hot dry desert air’, any more than the UK has nothing but ‘wall to wall low grey skies’, yet for some people that is their reality. Jumping on them in an attempt to silence their posts may succeed for a while but is unlikely to change their personal view, and ultimately it isn’t difficult to counter dubious ‘facts’ with a few alternative evidenced ones. Fwiw I doubt many would be migrants (or UK returnees) finalise their decision based on the extreme view of a single poster but, if they do, it could well be for the best in the long run. T x

From an adult's point of view, perhaps. But children tend to see the world differently, their priorities are simpler and they value different things. It didn't matter to my child that she learnt to swim in an indoor pool, or needed a wet suit to bodyboard in West Wales - she just has great memories of those days. Her Aussie cousins took it for granted that they would regularly spend hours travelling to their football games because of the distance involved, and didn't worry that they missed umpteen family get togethers because they lived on the other side of the world - their focus was different, but their childhoods were still full and happy. And as they grow up they will have choices and find their own path, made easier because they have all been lucky enough to be raised in a first world country. T x