alexw68: enkidu: I would go one step forward - only the British citizens (or subjects lol) shall be entitled to receive the British benefits We all admire your work ethic, enkidu - but what about the following situation: You and you wife/partner have been working for 2 or 3 years in the UK, really pushing it, overtime and all sorts, so you have a nice long history of National Insurance contributions. Your partner becomes pregnant, and early scans indicate that a Caesarian is likely to be the best solution for you, and so it might be in your best interests to stay put rather than chance you arm with the NFZ or return to Poland and go private. Frankly, British citizen or not, you deserve as a net contributor to the economy to be able to say "I'm staying here to raise my child, as I have a job here which will enable me to contribute". Why should you not be claiming child benefit? (Which doesn't change the fact that EU law allowing claims after 3 months is ridiculous if unenforced)
I am not talking about medical issues here. I believe that no matter if someone is a a payer to the system or not - he (or she) shall receive free medical treatment to save his life. Why? Because this is Europe. No mater if we are talking about Poland, UK or any other part of the Europe - this is civilised land and we have got obligations to save human in danger of death.
Child Benefit is a quite different matter. Nobody forced this theoretical Polish family to live in the UK. It was their choice. It is their own risk they freely taken upon themselves. They have got their own country to come back if their are unable to support their own child in the UK.
Mister H: enkidu: I would go one step forward - only the British citizens (or subjects lol) shall be entitled to receive the British benefits. I wouldn't go that far but it should be based on what has been paid in.
Why? I certainly would go as far. And I am an immigrant. Every immigrant has got a right to apply for the British citizenship after 5 years of living here, paying a taxes and contributing to the community. If someone would do this and additionally if he would respect the tradition of this land, learn English, show real commitment to the Queen and "britishness" - he would become a British subject. At this point he shall be entitled to every benefit and help that this island may offer.
Of course - this wouldn't be quite fair if you consider the native British. They, and their fathers and theirs grandfathers has contributed a lot to the well-being of this country. Comparing to this - 5 years of paying taxes by the immigrant is nothing. Nonetheless - this is more fair than the current state of matters.
As I said before - Only the British citizens shall be entitled to receive the British benefits.
To answer the question that may arise - No, I have got no plan of becoming a British citizen. I respect this country, I live here, but I am Polish. I was born this way and I will die as such. I decided to start my new life on this island. This was my personal choice and my personal risk. I do not expect the British taxpayer to pay a bill for that.
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