Post by siampolee on Dec 5, 2023 12:46:13 GMT 7
Think you may find this worth a read, note Thailand gets a mention and in what could be regarded as a positive fashion or perhaps a way of further increasing taxable income for inbound foreign income... 
ICBP Newsletter, December 2023
December, 2023
Dear ICBP Supporter,
My last newsletter to supporters was only two months ago, but I believe that it is timely to update ICBP supporters given recent developments.
● You may be aware that almost half of the frozen pensioners in the world live in Australia. The second most are in Canada and so the two organisations, British Pensioners in Australia and Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners’ (which currently comprise ICBP) represent the majority of frozen pensioners. They also have governments which are supportive of the work of these organisations towards the unfreezing of pensions.
It is interesting though, to learn that the governments of Thailand, Colombia, Uruguay, Mongolia and Brazil also have called on the UK government to discuss the issue of unfreezing of pensions in recent years, to no avail.
● The letter I wrote to King Charles as Head of the Commonwealth in August was passed on to his DWP Minister, but has elicited no response from Mel Stride although the King himself responded. I have followed up with him, referring to His Majesty’s letter. Similarly, Baroness Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth has not responded to two letters. I am certain that many of you have also written letters. We will continue to write and push for a response.
● Recently the Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners’ representatives ( including myself) were in London to deliver to 10 Downing Street a report entitled “The UK and Canada : An unequal partnership” which outlined the numerous times the Canadian government has requested a dialogue on frozen pensions in the last 20 years and the constant refusal of the British government to respond. This has now become a real issue between the two countries with frozen British pensions being an issue constantly raised by Canadian politicians visiting the UK.
It is the belief of the Canadian team that the reason for this refusal to discuss the issue is because the British government realizes that to grant any concession on frozen pensions to Canada, would likely result in the policy being amended for everyone worldwide. It is for this reason that they will not even unfreeze pensions in the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory with fewer than 12 frozen pensioners.
● The APPG ( All Party Parliamentary Group) on Frozen Pensions met while the Canadian delegation was in London and Acting Chair, Sir Peter Bottomley went immediately onto the floor of the House to challenge the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt on the issue of frozen pensions. Our Westminster supporters are essential to our campaign. Please write to the MP of your last constituency in the UK and ask them to support frozen pensioners and join the APPG.
● Over the years there has been some debate as to what unfreezing would look like. We believe that what we need is for our pensions to be restored to the level they would be at if we had not left the UK. However, we are aware that in every other instance where pensions have been “unfrozen” by means of a reciprocal agreement, this has resulted in the increase being the next uprating percentage being given. We are aware that a reciprocal agreement is not necessary, all that is needed is political will which is sadly lacking.
As you will be aware, last year the pension increase in the UK with the triple lock was 10.1% which is huge, and having missed this, we are trying our hardest to at least get the 2024 increase of 8.5% added to our pensions. This would be a great step forward and would break the current log jam. I am sure that much as we all want our full pension restored, 8.5% would be a welcome increase to all frozen pensioners, when the certain alternative in 2024 is zero. It would not be fair on the oldest pensioners who receive a pittance of a pension, but the whole policy of freezing pensions is unfair. If we manage to persuade the government to allow this unfreezing, and remember we are not negotiating, but lobbying, this would be a massive move forward.
● We are aware that there is a new frozen pensions group in Thailand with an active Facebook page which reposts information from the BPiA and CABP Facebook pages. If you are in Thailand, you might wish to contact and support this group.
● I am sorry to have to let you know that John Duffy, the past Chair of the International Consortium of British Pensioners passed away at the end of October. John lived in the Caribbean and did a great deal to promote understanding of the frozen pension issue in that part of the world, as well as lead the ICBP with passion and energy during five years. RIP, John: we carry on your work.
Finally, I would like to wish the very best of the coming season to all ICBP supporters wherever you are. We are a very small team at ICBP and are dedicated to doing all that we can to lobby the British government to finally end the cruel policy of freezing pensions.
Sheila Telford
Chair ICBP
ICBP Newsletter, December 2023
December, 2023
Dear ICBP Supporter,
My last newsletter to supporters was only two months ago, but I believe that it is timely to update ICBP supporters given recent developments.
● You may be aware that almost half of the frozen pensioners in the world live in Australia. The second most are in Canada and so the two organisations, British Pensioners in Australia and Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners’ (which currently comprise ICBP) represent the majority of frozen pensioners. They also have governments which are supportive of the work of these organisations towards the unfreezing of pensions.
It is interesting though, to learn that the governments of Thailand, Colombia, Uruguay, Mongolia and Brazil also have called on the UK government to discuss the issue of unfreezing of pensions in recent years, to no avail.
● The letter I wrote to King Charles as Head of the Commonwealth in August was passed on to his DWP Minister, but has elicited no response from Mel Stride although the King himself responded. I have followed up with him, referring to His Majesty’s letter. Similarly, Baroness Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth has not responded to two letters. I am certain that many of you have also written letters. We will continue to write and push for a response.
● Recently the Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners’ representatives ( including myself) were in London to deliver to 10 Downing Street a report entitled “The UK and Canada : An unequal partnership” which outlined the numerous times the Canadian government has requested a dialogue on frozen pensions in the last 20 years and the constant refusal of the British government to respond. This has now become a real issue between the two countries with frozen British pensions being an issue constantly raised by Canadian politicians visiting the UK.
It is the belief of the Canadian team that the reason for this refusal to discuss the issue is because the British government realizes that to grant any concession on frozen pensions to Canada, would likely result in the policy being amended for everyone worldwide. It is for this reason that they will not even unfreeze pensions in the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory with fewer than 12 frozen pensioners.
● The APPG ( All Party Parliamentary Group) on Frozen Pensions met while the Canadian delegation was in London and Acting Chair, Sir Peter Bottomley went immediately onto the floor of the House to challenge the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt on the issue of frozen pensions. Our Westminster supporters are essential to our campaign. Please write to the MP of your last constituency in the UK and ask them to support frozen pensioners and join the APPG.
● Over the years there has been some debate as to what unfreezing would look like. We believe that what we need is for our pensions to be restored to the level they would be at if we had not left the UK. However, we are aware that in every other instance where pensions have been “unfrozen” by means of a reciprocal agreement, this has resulted in the increase being the next uprating percentage being given. We are aware that a reciprocal agreement is not necessary, all that is needed is political will which is sadly lacking.
As you will be aware, last year the pension increase in the UK with the triple lock was 10.1% which is huge, and having missed this, we are trying our hardest to at least get the 2024 increase of 8.5% added to our pensions. This would be a great step forward and would break the current log jam. I am sure that much as we all want our full pension restored, 8.5% would be a welcome increase to all frozen pensioners, when the certain alternative in 2024 is zero. It would not be fair on the oldest pensioners who receive a pittance of a pension, but the whole policy of freezing pensions is unfair. If we manage to persuade the government to allow this unfreezing, and remember we are not negotiating, but lobbying, this would be a massive move forward.
● We are aware that there is a new frozen pensions group in Thailand with an active Facebook page which reposts information from the BPiA and CABP Facebook pages. If you are in Thailand, you might wish to contact and support this group.
● I am sorry to have to let you know that John Duffy, the past Chair of the International Consortium of British Pensioners passed away at the end of October. John lived in the Caribbean and did a great deal to promote understanding of the frozen pension issue in that part of the world, as well as lead the ICBP with passion and energy during five years. RIP, John: we carry on your work.
Finally, I would like to wish the very best of the coming season to all ICBP supporters wherever you are. We are a very small team at ICBP and are dedicated to doing all that we can to lobby the British government to finally end the cruel policy of freezing pensions.
Sheila Telford
Chair ICBP
