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"This country is turning into a crime-ridden tuliphole, last one out turn off the light," said GingerJedi on the CUK bulletin board yesterday, and judging by other contractor comments there are few that have not considered taking work abroad. Lockhouse, also on the CUK bulletin board, writes, "If I was younger I'd have already gone. This country has nothing to offer." And DiscoStu adds, "I'm off to Australia provided my visa application's successful. Can't wait to get out of here, it'll probably mean a pay cut but I don't care. With any luck this will be my last UK Xmas." When Cabinet minister Tessa Jowell admits that Britain faces the worst recession in living memory and comparisons with the 1930s depression are rife in the media, it's hardly surprising so many are thinking of leaving. But curiously, possible economic hardship is only a small part of the reasoning. TheFaqqer says, "I just want somewhere with more land. My aunt and uncle live on a farm out there [Canada] with 100 acres, but don't actually farm anything. Just land, and lots of it..." And Threaded cites the reasons he's already left the country: "On my visits back to the UK, the most shocking thing is the level of poverty I see. The place seems to be going backwards. Dirty, grimey. These plastic policemen look like a joke. Coppers walking around airport terminals with machine guns, when some don't seem to have grasped trigger discipline, is worrying." Many contractors detest the over-crowded nature of life in Britain. Perhaps 30 years ago, with less car ownership, fewer commuters and nucleated communities, one was less aware of the sheer density of the population. But now, when everybody wants to dash across the country on Friday nights, or cram into the out-of-town shopping mall on Saturday morning, the stress of navigating the hoards is causing many to look wistfully overseas. "The UK would be a better place, and better placed, if 20 or 30 million people departed," says TimberWolf. And Expat adds, "Look at the good bits of the UK, they're all the lesser-populated bits." Abroad is not all roses, though, warns Les Berridge, overseas agency spokesperson for the Recruitment and Employment Confederation IT and Comms sector group. It is important to completely understand the complexities of language, culture, taxation and payroll issues. "You must really want to fit in," he says. "Unless you are going abroad for a lifestyle change, you're probably better off in the UK." His advice is borne out by recently emigrated contract developer, Ashley Pobs, now in New Zealand. "Moving overseas can easily wipe you out financially, and the cost of moving a family can be exorbitant. You may be able to get a sponsor who will cover this cost, but expect that to come back against you as a lower rate. And since rates outside the UK are usually lower in any case, you must base your decision on lifestyle." But not all contractors want to leave. SallyAnn on the CUK bulletin board is scathing of the talk about emigrating. "People like us should be working out where we need to direct our money to help the most... ploughing our money into banks, into buying things from small businesses, into eating out as much as we can, into spending," she says. "Anyone who leaves this country in its greatest time of need, should never be allowed to return. They should be treated as deserters....after all, that's what they are, isn't it?" William Knight Dec 18, 2008 Email this article Printer friendly page Previous Page
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