Brits out?

[fifi]

'Overpopulated' Canaries to demand curbs on EU residents

The Canary Islands look to be on a collision course with Madrid and Brussels over reported plans to curb the numbers of EU citizens living and working here.



Less than a month after it was announced that the region wanted tighter restrictions on non-EU immigrants to protect jobs, it has now emerged that the request will extend also to nationals from countries such as Britain. Canarian government official Fernando Ríos is reported in local media today as saying that the islands' carrying capacity is now "exhausted" and, while non-EU nationals currently represent a less serious threat to jobs due to recent mass departures, the large number of EU citizens continues to give cause for concern. "46% of new arrivals here since 2007 are from EU countries and, given our soaring unemployment, we need to act to prevent a further flood of arrivals when the economy starts to pick up again" said Ríos, who added that measures to guarantee jobs for locals were "fully justified" and not incompatible with EU law.

[Voldermort]

I`m only suprised it`s taken them so long to make this announcement and I have sympathy with their views. The simplistic EU notion of let everyone wander where and when they want and use the infrastructure, as if they were at home, is fine when the cash is flowing. Now its stopped, the weaknesses are all too plain to see. Something has to give

[Captain Sensible]

This was something in the Coalición Canaria's manifesto when they were elected 2 years ago.

They are a Canarian Nationalist Party, and have political contol of the Canarian Government and the Cabildo of Fuerteventura.

[woe10]

I`m only suprised it`s taken them so long to make this announcement and I have sympathy with their views. The simplistic EU notion of let everyone wander where and when they want and use the infrastructure, as if they were at home, is fine when the cash is flowing. Now its stopped, the weaknesses are all too plain to see. Something has to give

Especially in the UK. Look at the NHS. It has fallen apart due to Health Tourists etc...

[Blueboy7]

I would have thought with all of the empty properties on Fuerteventura he would be promoting the opposite, give some incentive for people to move to Fuerteventura, that is the only way to get the economy moving and put some euros in the coffers. It seems when politicians can't come up with any answers for a failing economy they all turn to immigration, it deflects the flak.

[fifi]

There are times when I wish that Irish jobs were kept for the Irish too, especially when there are so many Irish unemployed.  I love the idea of  having the freedom  to  travel and work in Europe though but I guess you cant have it both ways.

When I  read this grim report about the Islands I  could understand why they felt  the need to do something about it.

Link

[Blueboy7]

Its a difficult one FiFi. For arguments sake, if they did make drastic cuts in immigration and passed legislation to say that all new jobs go to Spanish Nationals, were will the jobs come from? The bottom line is they do not seem to have a strategy for job creation apart from tourism. The Spanish government has only just realised that English is the universal language for business. Jeremy Clarkson did a magic series on "Meeting our Neighbours", it was in 2002, it is freely available on the Web, watch the first episode on Spain, it gives a very good insight as to why they are in their current position.

The UK's unemployment stands at 7.8%, more Polish workers are employed in Blackpool than British Nationals, you will very rarely see an English person working in any Hotel in London or the Lake District, probably applies for the whole of the UK Hotel industry. I was recently in Manchester Piccadilly on business, unbelievable mixture of cultures, most of the shops and hotels I visited had mainly nationals of foreign origin working or owning them.   

Cutting immigration is not the answer to the Canaries problem, looking for alternative types of business is, fingers crossed they find a solution.

[ashworth]

More than half of the UK residents I know that live here are retired and have there UK pensions transfered here every month and spend it in Fuerteventura. If I was in controll of the Island I would be encouraging more people to do the same. Its a win win for the islands financial future..

[Ole Man River]

It's good to see the Ferry to Africa is still running, complying with all the regulations!   

[woe10]

More than half of the UK residents I know that live here are retired and have there UK pensions transfered here every month and spend it in Fuerteventura. If I was in controll of the Island I would be encouraging more people to do the same. Its a win win for the islands financial future..

I agree totally. 100% of my pension is spent in Fuerteventura.  Probably 95% more than any tourist, and 99%  more than any AI Tourist 

[fifi]

Islands' population rises, falls in rest of Spain




The Canary Islands were virtually the only part of Spain to record a population increase in 2012, the latest figures show.
Statistics released yesterday by the authorities in Madrid show that, while the overall population of the country on 1 January this year fell by 162,000 compared to the previous year, the Canaries posted an increase of almost 20,000, putting the current figure at 2.1 million. The rise was due mainly to the arrival of 12,700 new foreign residents rather than an increase in births, says the National Office for Statistics. The news will fuel the ongoing debate launched by the Canarian government concerning the need for immigration restrictions, including on EU nationals.

[Paddster]

Do you plan on moving over there permanently Fi ? Just curious 

[fifi]

Definitely not Paddster. Much as I love the Island, I like having the best of both worlds and Ireland is a fabulous country to live in.

[Spike On Q]

I wonder how many are O.A.P.'s from E.U. states adding to the health of the Canarian economy?

[Paddster]

Definitely not Paddster. Much as I love the Island, I like having the best of both worlds and Ireland is a fabulous country to live in.

Absolutely Fi - i've been and my old man is from there obviously.......
But i do love Fuerte for it's glorious weather and chilled out lifestyle........