Expats take UK government to court over benefits freezing
A number of expats are taking the UK government to court over its decision to freeze pension payments received by those now living overseas. The decision by the authorities to freeze payments at the rate at which recipients started drawing their benefits, thereby missing out on significant inflation rises in the future, is allegedly discriminatory against those having retired overseas.
An initial hearing in November last year threw out the claim although a referral was granted and a further consideration of the situation will be heard by the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in September. While the UK government is suggesting that benefits are only frozen for those living in countries without a reciprocal agreement with the UK there is still much anger amongst many who are suffering under the system.
In simple terms, the UK government has agreed to increase benefit payments, in line with those living in the UK, in countries such as France and Germany where the French and German governments have agreed to do the same for expats living in the UK. Whether the forthcoming court case will take this into consideration remains to be seen as many believe it is discriminatory and effectively barring former UK citizens from their "rightful pensions".
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