… To be considering leaving the UK?

[globalnomad25]

We have been considering leaving, even if only for a few years. Many of our clients have already gone or are planning it, and some of our friends too.

I’m not sure where we’d go: UAE, Portugal, Jersey, Ireland, Canada, Australia? We don’t currently want to move to the US, even though that would probably make the most sense from a business/client point of view.

For those out there who have already left, how has it gone? Was it a horrible mistake or are you glad you did it?

For those also thinking about it, where would you go?

Kids are school-aged and smart and used to international travel as our work already takes us all over, although they’d miss their friends (as would we). We aren’t English so our family is already based all over the place, although we visit them frequently.

I'm too old. We considered it about 8 years ago abd opted to stay. Its a decision I now regret. GB is dreadful.

Yet reported this morning "The UK is no1 destination for foreign investment.

We also have the highest growth in Europe and sit 3rd behind the US and Canada.

The UK has suffered for many years with Austerity, companies wont invest if their workforce cannot get healthcare, they wont invest if they cannot get educated school leavers or have congested roads to ship their goods.

Reeves imho had no choice but to increase NI contributions, where else was she supposed to fund the 21billion black hole and put extra investment into schools, sure start and the NHS ?

The taxes raised against the very well off are extremely limited.

Labour have also got a limited trade deal with the US and have eased the terrible import restrictions that Brexit has given us, all will help growth.

btw Yes there is/was a Black hole, one argue about the absolute amount but all commentators put it above 12 billion.

We pay a shedload of tax in Scandinavia, the difference to what appears to be the case in the UK is that we get something worthwhile back for it.

I fully understand people weighing their options.

Labour should not have taxed Education. For higher and additional rate tax payers who are dual nationals, other jurisdictions where you pay your way on healthcare but get excellent free state education and free uni options are simply a better choice now. The balance has tipped.

Reeves has singlehandedly caused 276,000 job losses to date and that's before we see the effects of the NI increase. There is nothing to celebrate about Labour except the fact they're hastening their own exit.

Growth started under Sunak, and has slowed since Labour got in.

Some of the trade deals were under terms which harm the UK. Just watch how the Indian deal NI concessions undercut young UK graduates in the tech industry. We're handing over the chance to train in our industries to young nationals of other countries, which is terrible for the UK.

And the black hole is growing.

The NHS has had extra investment, but schools certainly haven't. Nor SEN. Despite the vindictive attack on the private sector.

I also do not understand why anyone is complaining about EU dual nationals leaving, is that not what the country voted for with Brexit?

Sunak had a couple of months of growth, which tbf was good but perhaps take a look at growth over 14 years?

In Q4 2023 we were in recession.

Growth has remained positive in every Q since the GE.

For the pp, The UK has NOT had a net loss of 276k jobs, unemployment rate has remained pretty much stable, it has increased by 0.2% over the last 12 months.
Pay roll numbers are not an unemployment rate.

Tory supporters will never accept anything good that happened under Labour is a positive, which is why you don't mention the FDI figures or the G7 comparison.

The India deal does not undercut UK staff, it is solely for Indian staff on temp contracts here and was available before in any case.

The tax and borrow cycle isn’t helping.

Ireland is far from a tax light environment, unless you happen to be a US tech multinational. If you have a dividend income it's taxed way higher than the UK and higher rate taxes kick in earlier too.

Public hospitals are slightly better than the UK these days, but many people have private insurance. Student accommodation is a disaster, so your student will very likely be living at home as money can't fix a major shortage. Insurance, cars, food are all more expensive, we have very little public transport and communities are generally small and nosey. Its really not for everyone.

Ultimately if you are moving abroad you need a really strong pull factor, and within Europe , tax rates wont be enough. You need a connection of some sort to help you through the rough times.

uk-ireland-tax-environment-comparison.pdf https://share.google/TuMBTaR6nj0rcnYIo

We're handing over the chance to train in our industries to young nationals of other countries, which is terrible for the UK

I work with a defence company, they have a huge school leaver and college training program, all for UK students, their plans go forward 10 20 and 30 years.

Sooo many British people have moved/ are moving to Australia, you'd feel right at home if you decide to move here. Most of my son's classmates have British parents. Amongst the reasons mentioned for the move are: sunny weather- better quality of life -better salaries - better working conditions.
I'm not British, nor Australian, but I studied in UK and most of my friends are British. As a rule they don't go back to the UK after Australia. Just FYI.

I work in a commercial sector, and almost all our young, permie hires are non-british. And that's not even looking at how much is now done by offshore 'partner' body shop companies. It was completely different 10 years ago.

The country is turning increasingly right wing. That's the problem. Stupid people can't see it's the right wing and the rich (who aren't leaving in droves, total BS) who have ruined this country, not immigrants and people on benefits.
If the morons vote reform in the next election, that's the end of Britain. They're just too stupid, ignorant and hateful to see it.

I can only speak as i find, which is that this defence company has plans to use british workers for decades to come, recently attended a meeting where it was pointed out children starting primary now, will be the work force working on contract A - such is the lead time in defence.

At least the push to 3 and then 5% defence spending is going to boost UK manufacturing.

But different industries have different requirements and roles, perhaps your company should invest more in UK schools and colleges, like mine does, if possible.

If you have the rights skills that are not available here you would get a licenced job which would allow you to rent or buy a decent property. It all depends what work you do.

I wouldn't fancy moving here as a registered person as it really limits your housing and employment options.

As for schools, all of the schools are good, private and state

If you’re referring to Greater London being Europe’s leading region in 2024, then yes it was, with a 31% decline from the previous year.

Ironically one of the measures implemented to attract investment to the U.K. is a 100% 4 year tax exemption on foreign income and gains.

Why is it dreadful? That was not my experience of living there my whole life up to last year.

Oh and it’s never too late to emigrate - I did it at 35, and would have still done it had I been 55. 🤷‍♀️

It´ll be fine in our lifetimes, and our children´s lifetimes. Life is possible in Dubai, isn´t it? And it is much much hotter than Souther Europe. I say it as someone who has lived in Southern Europe for 51 years. I just find it a bit mystifying that Portugal is going to be "uninhabitable" in our lifetimes. So what are the Spanish and Portuguese going to do in their uninhabitable lands? Move en masse to France? One thing is acknowledging climate change, and another is making a terror film out of it.

Best that you're not considering "moving to the US" as the immigration restrictions are pretty hardcore - so by all means go there for a long holiday, but if you want to actually move there you've got some work to do unless you are already a US national or green card holder. You should do a lot of homework and research on green card and entry requirements before you head down that route.

Your best bet is to start out by figuring out which countries you actually could easily move to without a prolonged immigration battle. Sadly Brexit has made it far less easy than it used to be to move to countries in Europe.

Your profession/income will dictate a lot of potential options. If your qualifications and fall into the category of people they actually want to have move to their country you are going to find things a lot easier. At this point since you haven't got a clue where you want to go (or even why) you're probably better off just taking some trips to places that you think you might like - after you've done the work to establish that you could actually live there for a year or more - and go from there.

A 31% decline. That’s not good

I’ve been an expat for 17 years OP. We didn’t leave the UK due to not wanting to be there but because my husband was offered a promotion to do so. We were, and are, sad to not see friends and family as often as we would like but there are many benefits and we video call to the extent I know more about my parents lives than siblings who live relatively close by for instance. I can also sort things for them by email and do online purchases for things they want help sourcing.
There are plus and negative points to staying and leaving so look at what job(s) are available, look at if accommodation, schooling, medical and travel will be covered. Look at the size and make-up of the expat community, where they live and what they do during leisure time. You can to an extent pick a few destinations and find the right job in one of these places contrary to what is being said, although people are being let go globally right now so it’s harder. If they want you they will sort and pay for the visas.
We both worked and paid higher tax in the UK for many years before we left, this is what people don’t want to acknowledge. We love the UK and probably will return at some point and do so again. Right now we are enjoying experiencing other cultures and saving for our eventual retirement in the UK. Yes we are not putting money in (except when we visit for at least a month a year and pay accommodation, hire car, food etc which needs to be factored into your costs) but we are not taking anything out, it’s not a ‘bad’ thing to do as some seem to delusionally believe.
International Schools can be a fantastic learning environment and will ensure your children are familiar and happy around many cultures and ideas. Just because England does things a certain way that does not follow its the ‘right’ or only way and it’s very interesting viewing how different Countries and Continents operate.
It’s not true you can’t be offered local University fees, that’s entirely at the discretion of the individual Universities. There are many companies who can help you successfully navigate this. The Universities have their own non-altruistic reasons for doing so.
You asked a specific question regarding Singapore schooling and personally I would recommend Tanglin but look at the good schools guide as a starting point for all Countries you are considering.
Life can be hard and lonely at times so really think about why you would leave. I actually think this can be true of a move within the UK as well though. In many countries there is a large and extremely welcoming expat community so see what’s online as a start.
There isn’t a right and a wrong answer here. If you try and then return after a short or a long time that’s OK. If we think it’s right to allow people to come and work here then by default why do posters question people going abroad to work?
My husband will be seen as more ‘valuable’ to Global UK Companies because of his vast international experience when we return, you will be the same.
Good luck with making the right decision for your family.

Care workers should absolutely be paid more but then people kick off about the council tax rises needed to pay for it. Round here people get upset at even below inflation increases in council tax.