Expat wants to return to UK. Can I do it?

Question

Not a huge amount of money, over 50, single woman wants to return to live and work in the UK, don't want to scrounge off the State but do need initial help to get somewhere to live etc. WANT TO WORK!! If foreigners get assistance am I eligible too. Don't know where to start. serious replies would be appreciated. It's daunting enough after living 15 years abroad. Can't get work where I am so thinking of returning as it's easier to get employed in the UK if you really want to.

Answer 1

Hey Chris, I saw on one of our earlier Q's, about the standard of Language skills that a friend had. And still passed her exam.
That should give you a clue as to what to expect on your return to England.
The standard of EVERYTHING has slipped so much over the past few years, Britain is unrecognisable as the once beautiful country it once was.
The absolute heart of Britain has been eroded, we are not allowed to celebrate our own traditions, lest we upset someone else.
As for jobs, you'd be very lucky indeed. The whole of the world is getting away with working in the U.K. without paying much, if any, tax. At a lower rate of pay than anyone else.
Stay in the sun until we do some house cleaning first.

Answer 2

I spent 38 years in South Africa and decided to come back. Just grabbed my passport, bought a ticket and got on a plane.
Took me 6 weeks to find a job.
Funny thing though. At the job centre they told me to apply for Job Seeker's allowance although I did not want it. So I applied and they made me do a 'Habitual residence test'
Then after a couple of weeks they told me I did not qualify since I could not prove I was going to stay. This in spite of the fact that I had been contributing to the state pension fund.
I still had my NI number and if you need yours just write to them in Newcastle. They will have it and are very efficient.
Good luck

Answer 3

You can do it but why ,i am an expat in

Answer 4

Sure you can if you are a brit citizen you can return anytime you wish,as for finding a place the local housing authorities will help in the area you are going to,jobs are plenty you would be able to recieve monetary benifits from the uk government until you found a job.

Answer 5

Well said @Moorglade - Britain is not the nicest of places to be of late. Taxes are through the roof, immigration is through the roof, house prices are through the roof, crime stats are through the roof - it's a wonder there's still a roof over us. Oh, hang on, where's it gone.

I bet you find that as an ex pat, and not an immigrant or assylum seeker, you will be treated like the rest of native Brits - that is, you will be sidelined, your needs will be assessed as late as possible in favour of the immigrants and assylum seekers, you will not be entitled to half the benefits of said immigrants and assylum seekers.

Stay where you are - you might not have a job yet - but I'm sure you'll be much better off unemployed over there than unemployed over here.

Answer 6

Hey chris you must be flamin mad to want to return to the uk!!!!!!!! have you heard what`s going on in the uk?????but if your really that desprate your better off covering your face with boot polish! that way upon return to the uk you will be given a free house,cash,health care etc.Any problems just pull out the racist card and the local counsils will bow to all your needs!Heaps of brits are trying their hardest to get away from this now sad and politically correct country. good luck you will so need it

Answer 7

for a start you'll be required to hold a british Passport and be able to produce your Birth Certificate then either send a letter or
go in person to the Pensions & Benifits Agency in which-ever
town your planning to take up residence, good luck

Answer 8

If you have your birth certificate you should have no problem, you are still a British citizen, its just that you have worked abroad, can you still remember your national insurance #, do you still have a British passport, if so you should be OK.