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FRANCE - UK

Hollande tells Brits they can stay but expat worries persist

French President François Hollande has tried to ease fears about the British expat community in France by saying they can continue to work and stay in France as long as they like, but many expats are unimpressed with the reassurances.

Hollande tells Brits they can stay but expat worries persist
'Right, you keep our expats and we'll look after yours'. Photo: AFP

Hollande was speaking after talks with British PM Theresa May in Paris on Thursday night, during which he warned the Tory leader that France would not allow Britain to remain in the free market unless it accepted freedom of movement.

Either “remain in the single market and assume the free movement that goes with it or to have another status,” Hollande warned the UK.

The question of freedom of movement is crucial for the tens of thousands of British nationals living and working in France, many of whom fear that Brexit will make life more complicated, perhaps even impossible, in their adopted country.

While negotiations are yet to begin on any Brexit deal, Hollande tried to ease the fears of those expats both in the France and the UK, who have been left in limbo after the shock June referendum result.

“The UK will remain a full member of the EU throughout the negotiations process so nothing will change four our citizens. After the negotiations the rules will be set,” Hollande told a press conference.

“There’s no doubt that the French who reside in the UK and the Britons who live in France will continue to work there and spend as much time as they like there,” the president added.

But many of those Britons living in France were hardly reassured by the statement.

In the Facebook support group Remain in France Together (RIFT) many pointed out the Hollande failed to mention a huge sector of the British population living in France.

“He’s only talking about people working in France thus far- did not mention retired people,” said David Rosemount.

For many Brits in France the key issue will be whether they will continue to have access to health care post Brexit and their pensions.

“He says nothing,” said Dominic Rippon. “Even if we can stay to work, will we have healthcare subsidies cut? We'll have to wait a while for any detail, this is just politicking.”

Alan Court said: “Feel very concerned that the UK may abandon our healthcare and lock our pensions. Very worrying times that could go on for years.

Many were sceptical given that we are far from having anything set out in writing let alone in law.

Ruth Trevanion said: “This is just words, and there is no mention of those who don't work. I'll believe it when i see the signed agreement but it is a step in the right direction.”

As others pointed out there is also the fact that Hollande may not be around when Brexit negotiations begin, given that there is a presidential election in April next year and his popularity ratings are dismal.

What stance would Nicolas Sarkozy, Alain Juppé or even Marine Le Pen take on the issue?

The same worries Brits have in France are mirrored by French nationals living in the UK, all of whom were barred from having a vote in the EU referendum.

Christophe Premat, the MP who represents French citizens living in the UK told The Local he has been inundated with queries from worried French expats.

“They all have questions regarding the consequences: what will happen to their child benefit or work benefits?” he said. “Students are also worried about university fees.”

“A lot of people here are talking about taking British nationality. That’s a very personal decision, but if it’s just for fiscal or administrative purposes I would say it’s a shame, but if it’s to participate in UK politics and they have been established here for a few years then it’s a good choice,” Premat said.

The lawmaker said he has also been approached by many French in the UK who are talking about returning home to France due to the uncertainty.

“Many are worried about the future. Some of those who have been established here and were thinking of returning home intend to shorten their stay in the UK,” he said.

The MP is confident bilateral relations will be sorted out between Britain and France that will guarantee the status of each country’s citizens living abroad.

“Given that bilateral relations are already strong, not just in terms of defence and economy, that I believe we will be able to find agreements on things like tax reciprocity,” he said.

The MP also believes that Brexit should push Britain should copy the model of France and create an MP for the tens of thousands of British citizens living abroad.

“For those who live outside the UK and have no representation, then it could be a good compromise,” he said.

It may also force the Conservatives to fulfill their promise to scrap  the law that bars expats who have lived abroad for more than 15 years from voting in national elections or referendums.

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TRAVEL NEWS

EES: Eurostar could limit services over new biometric passport checks

Eurostar could be forced to cut the number of trains when the EU's new biometric border checks (EES) are rolled out in October, the owner of London's St Pancras International Station has warned.

EES: Eurostar could limit services over new biometric passport checks

HS1, the owner of the station and operator of the high-speed line between London and the Channel tunnel, is the latest body to raise concerns over the impact on travel of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) checks that are set to come into force in October 2024.

The new system which requires citizens from outside the EU or Schengen area to register before entering the zone would lead to long delays and potential capping of services and passenger numbers, HS1 warned.

The company said it needed nearly 50 new EES kiosks to process passengers but the French government had only proposed 24.

In evidence to the European scrutiny select committee, HS1 wrote: “We are told that the proposed kiosks are ‘optional’ as the process can be delivered at the border, but without about 49 additional kiosks located before the current international zone [at St Pancras] there would be unacceptable passenger delays of many hours and potential capping of services.”

With just 24 kiosks, Eurostar would be unable to process all passengers, particularly at the morning peak, and this could “lead to services having to be capped in terms of passenger numbers”, HS1 warned, adding that simple space restrictions at St Pancras station would make the EES difficult to implement.

The EES will register non-EU travellers who do not require a visa (those with residency permits in EU countries do not need to register but will be affected by delays) each time they cross a border in or out of the Schengen area. It will replace the old system of manual passport-stamping.

It will mean facial scans and fingerprints will have to be taken in front of border guards at the first entry into the Schengen area.

Travel bosses have repeatedly raised the alarm about the possible delays this would cause, especially at the UK-France border, which is used by 11 million passengers each year who head to France and other countries across Europe.

Last week The Local reported warnings by officials that the new checks could lead to 14-hour queues for travellers heading to France.

Sir William Cash, Chair of the European Scrutiny Committee, said: “Queues of more than 14 hours; vehicles backed up along major roads; businesses starved of footfall: this evidence paints an alarming picture of the possible risks surrounding the Entry-Exit System’s implementation.

“Clearly, this policy could have a very serious impact, not only for tourists and travel operators but also for local businesses. I implore decision makers on both sides of the Channel to take note of this evidence.”

READ ALSO: What affect will the EES border system have on travel to France?

The Port of Dover has already been struggling with the increased checks required since Brexit and there are fears the situation could be even worse once the EES starts to operate.

Given the possible impacts, the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee last year launched an inquiry calling for views by affected entities with deadline for replies on January 12th 2024.

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