Hi Jane Churchill Alemao, the ignoramus, is talking through his hat. My best informed estimate is that there are perhaps 35,000 adult Goans in the UK of whom the majority live in Greater London. Those coming in more recently via the Portuguese passport route have increased numbers somewhat but I doubt the overall figure is much over 35,000, and Swindon where many of them live is a good 40 miles away from central London. There is little evidence that Goans are leaving the UK although young professionals now move around globally. The older ones have deep roots here including their children, grandchildren etc. In my view, what keeps many Goans here is the intellectual stimulas of a great city like London even though we are pretty overcrowded.
Yes, there is a small minority of Goans who live on the dole (the disability allowance). Some live in council housing where the rent tends to be low. The welfare state provides a safety net so that no one has to beg or really be in need. However, this safety net is exploited by an increasing number and there is evidence that sometimes, 50% of a small town may be on disability benefit. Both major parties are trying hard to tackle this racket when able-bodied people feign long-term illness. They also complain, rather often that there are too many immigrants---the very people through who's work ethic and industriousness, there is a provision of valuable taxes to pay those sitting at home! It is no accident that there is plenty of work for immigrants in general--they are often not competing with indigenous people for work. Virtually every able-bodied person on the dole could get a job tomorrow if he/she wanted one. However, this is a complex issue that I can't go into here. As many Goans came to the UK in the 1960s and 70s from East Africa, they definitely had white collar and other skills for jobs that were available in plenty. Sometimes they had savings from East Africa. Most invested in a house on a mortgage ( a loan specifically for the purchase of a home) that often was repaid in 25 years. As land is in short supply and the demand for homes high, UK homes have appreciated substantially over the years and in general, people move home to a better property every seven years thus improving their assets. Residential homes are definitely overpriced by about 30% and while there are dips in their value when the economy is less good, the steady rise in value is remarkable. There could not be a better investment but it is really hard for newcomers to get on the property ladder currently. The better off Goans (perhaps 2-3%) own homes at about £1 million and more but the majority would be in the region of £300,000 to £500,000. Some have bought second properties in different parts of the world and even in the UK. However, they will all face death duty where the ceiling is on the low side of about £350,000. Thus total assets worth £500,000 would pay a tax of 40% on £150,000---payable in about six months of a death but there are provisions to help over such a burden on the family. When there is joint ownership, the death duty is not payable until the survivor dies. Both main parties are planning to put up the ceiling considerably when death duty becomes effective. The Conservatives to £1 million and Labour to about £700,000. While this will be good for those with substantial assets, it is anathema for poorer people who get disadvantaged even more. Happy to throw some light on Churchill's idiocy but my figures above are all best estimates to provide a flavour of what goes on here, rather than provide totally accurate ones. It is important to note however, that simply multiplying UK figures by say 80 rupees to the £ provides a very exaggerated and unhelpful estimate of wealth here. This place is incredibly expensive not only to people from India but even America on a low value dollar currently and Europe is even more expensive (to Brits too) because of the strength of the Euro. Cornel PS written in haste. Please excuse the typos and oh yes, not all Goans in the UK are UK citizens as I think you stated previously. Some are Indian, American, Canadian etc. > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf > Of jane gillian rodrigues > Sent: 31 May 2008 08:14 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [email protected] > Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [Goanet] leave UK > Please read e-mail of rajadhyaksha dated 30 May, > 2008, given below, wherein > PWD Minister Churchill Alemao has stated:- > > "Churchill said about 10 lakh Goan population is > residing in the UK; they > have bought properties worth lakhs and crorers"
