Preparations for Leaving the EU

Roger Gale Excerpts

Tuesday 8th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Looking at me imploringly, and now to be heard, is the longest-serving member of the Speaker’s Panel of Chairs: Sir Roger Gale.

[Sir Roger Gale (North Thanet) (Con)]

You will recall, Mr Speaker, that some weeks ago you afforded me the opportunity to ask the Prime Minister what provision would be made for pension uprating, healthcare and benefits for expat UK citizens. My letter seeking a clarification of the broad-brush answer awaits a response, but I have had the opportunity to read the no-deal readiness report, and not one word in it offers long-term comfort to the thousands of now increasingly frightened and elderly UK citizens living within the rest of the EU. This is not a matter of reciprocal arrangements; it is within the clear gift of the United Kingdom Government to look after our own people. Will my right hon. Friend give a clear undertaking that that will be done?

[Michael Gove]

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for raising that issue. He will be aware that on page 43 of the document, we point out:

“With regard to UK state pensions paid to eligible UK state pension recipients living in Member States, in the event of leaving without a deal the UK has now committed to uprate state pensions paid in the EU for a further three years”—

beyond the original guarantee—

until the end of March 2023”.

We have a commitment, of course, to keep this policy under review.