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Weak Sterling income sends ex-pats packing | Weak Sterling income sends ex-pats packing |
(about 1 hour later) | |
By Richard Westcott Reporter, BBC News, Malaga | By Richard Westcott Reporter, BBC News, Malaga |
Paul and Doreen Phillips on why they are having to leave Malaga | |
Paul and Doreen Phillips are packing up boxes in their living room. | Paul and Doreen Phillips are packing up boxes in their living room. |
"We thought we were here for the rest of our lives," Mr Phillips says. | "We thought we were here for the rest of our lives," Mr Phillips says. |
Five years ago, after a lifetime of hard graft, they retired to Malaga on the Spanish coast because the strong pound meant their pension went further, and because it is nice and sunny of course. | Five years ago, after a lifetime of hard graft, they retired to Malaga on the Spanish coast because the strong pound meant their pension went further, and because it is nice and sunny of course. |
Now they are being forced home. | Now they are being forced home. |
"The pound fell through the floor," says Mrs Phillips. "It's just too expensive to live here now." | "The pound fell through the floor," says Mrs Phillips. "It's just too expensive to live here now." |
The Phillips' pension is paid in sterling. | The Phillips' pension is paid in sterling. |
That was fine when you could get 1.3 euros for £1. | That was fine when you could get 1.3 euros for £1. |
Moving back | Moving back |
These days, you barely get one euro per pound, so for anyone relying on money from the UK, costs on the Costas have rocketed. | These days, you barely get one euro per pound, so for anyone relying on money from the UK, costs on the Costas have rocketed. |
We wanted to live the dream Doreen Phillips Britons abroad feel pinch from pound | We wanted to live the dream Doreen Phillips Britons abroad feel pinch from pound |
Mr and Mrs Phillips' rent has gone from £330 to £500 pounds in just three months. | Mr and Mrs Phillips' rent has gone from £330 to £500 pounds in just three months. |
Their tax bill has gone up £400 a year. An £8 meal is suddenly £12. | Their tax bill has gone up £400 a year. An £8 meal is suddenly £12. |
When living the dream started to eat into their savings they decided it was time to move back to the UK. | When living the dream started to eat into their savings they decided it was time to move back to the UK. |
Going sour | Going sour |
They feel lucky to have the choice. | They feel lucky to have the choice. |
"Several of our friends want to return home, but they have bought houses out here and they are in a trap," says Mr Phillips. | "Several of our friends want to return home, but they have bought houses out here and they are in a trap," says Mr Phillips. |
"They can't sell, which is a tragedy." | "They can't sell, which is a tragedy." |
Going to the airport to return home can be hard | |
The Spanish housing market is even worse than in Britain. | The Spanish housing market is even worse than in Britain. |
Prices have plummeted, hardly anything is selling. | Prices have plummeted, hardly anything is selling. |
For many the Spanish love affair has gone a bit sour, with the falling pound and a rise in the cost of living across Spain. | For many the Spanish love affair has gone a bit sour, with the falling pound and a rise in the cost of living across Spain. |
"All our volunteers report an increasing number of people asking for help," says Charles Betty who helps run Age Care Association, a local charity set up by and for British ex-pats. | "All our volunteers report an increasing number of people asking for help," says Charles Betty who helps run Age Care Association, a local charity set up by and for British ex-pats. |
The British government has also set up help clinics to advise worried pensioners. | The British government has also set up help clinics to advise worried pensioners. |
Still happy | Still happy |
Back in their flat, enjoying a beer and looking at the sea view one last time, Mr Phillips cannot resist a joke with his wife. | Back in their flat, enjoying a beer and looking at the sea view one last time, Mr Phillips cannot resist a joke with his wife. |
"I even sorted somewhere to scatter my ashes," he quips. | "I even sorted somewhere to scatter my ashes," he quips. |
"It's a good job you didn't because you'd have had sweep them up and bring them back home." | "It's a good job you didn't because you'd have had sweep them up and bring them back home." |
The sun is shining, obviously, and I am telling them how Britain is in lock-down because of the snow. | The sun is shining, obviously, and I am telling them how Britain is in lock-down because of the snow. |
Even so they are not feeling sorry for themselves. | Even so they are not feeling sorry for themselves. |
They are excited at the prospect of a new home in Carlisle and a new grandchild, who will be close by. | They are excited at the prospect of a new home in Carlisle and a new grandchild, who will be close by. |
"We wanted to live the dream," says Mrs Phillips. | "We wanted to live the dream," says Mrs Phillips. |
"We've had a wonderful time. | "We've had a wonderful time. |
"I've never fallen out of love with England, I've always loved England". | "I've never fallen out of love with England, I've always loved England". |
Someone who is not so excited is Minty, the Spanish cat they rescued from a life on the streets. | Someone who is not so excited is Minty, the Spanish cat they rescued from a life on the streets. |
She is asleep on the sofa, next to her new passport. She has probably never seen snow. | She is asleep on the sofa, next to her new passport. She has probably never seen snow. |
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