Abstract
AbstractDespite having one of the largest diaspora in the world, the United Kingdom peculiarly has no diaspora engagement policy to speak of. Policy, not legal right, underpins consular affairs and social protection policies are extremely limited. Such absence stems from a lack of distinctive British national identity in large part due to the UK being multi-national state, a heterogonous and typically prosperous diaspora driven by lifestyle migration, and in turn the assumption that Britons living abroad do not want or need to engage with the homeland state. Policy towards Britons residing abroad is characterised by limited engagement but effective communication leading to a disengaged state that keeps the dialogue open. Whilst social protection policies are rudimentary, the state is a world leader in providing online information in preparing British emigrants for living overseas. Voting rights of overseas citizens (namely the 15 year residency requirement) has and will continue to be a contentious issue following Brexit − and one subject to change − as has pension inflation adjustment. As the effects of Brexit on Britons residing abroad come to fruition, the politics of social protection and the rights of Britons residing abroad will be an imperative issue on the political agenda.
Highlights
The objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of the diaspora policy infrastructure and key social protection policies implemented by the United Kingdom government for its nationals living abroad
The absence of state engagement stems from a lack of distinctive British identity, the heterogeneity of the British diaspora, and the profile of British emigrants having a typically ‘international outlook’ driven by positive pull factors with the assumption being that Britons living abroad do not want or need to engage with their homeland state
Whilst the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is responsible for coordinating matters with other UK government departments, there is no policy or evidence of consulates assisting Britons living abroad with social protection claims or welfare entitlements, as assistance is discretionary, this may transpire in practice
Summary
The objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of the diaspora policy infrastructure and key social protection policies implemented by the United Kingdom government for its nationals living abroad. The UK is perhaps peculiar compared to other states in that immigration is highly politicised – arguably driving a public vote to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum (Dennison and Geddes 2018) – whilst at the same time the UK has almost no diaspora or emigrant policy to speak of and lacks any formal representative body or institution to represent Britons living abroad. The chapter goes on to discuss the diaspora infrastructure for UK nationals residing abroad, key engagement policies of the UK state. The final section details the existing diaspora social protection policies including access to unemployment benefits, health care, pensions, family-related benefits and economic hardship
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
