What has changed with Rift group?
There have been changes in the organisation of one of the main campaign groups for Britons in France, Rift (Remain in France Together).
Founder Kalba Meadows and fellow steering group member Kathryn Dobson have left to start France Rights, “a new platform” for information (francerights.org), news (francerights.info) and with a new Facebook page (facebook.com/FranceRights).
France Rights will now represent Britons in France in the British in Europe campaign coalition (along with the British Community Committee of France) whereas Rift will be an independent group.
Rift has a new website at remaininfrance.fr.
No-deal flights plan has been extended
The UK and EU agreed on arrangements to continue flights between the UK and EU in a no-deal but these had been set to expire on March 30, 2020 a year after the original Brexit day.
They have been extended to October 24, 2020 with the aim of a permanent agreement being in place by then.
EU to use millions from disaster fund
The EU is to allocate €600million from a solidarity fund that normally helps regions struck by floods, earthquakes and landslides, to help countries prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
The aim is “to cover the serious financial burden inflicted on member states”.
A further €200million has been budgeted from a fund set up to support workers made redundant by globalisation.
The French government says it is satisfied at present with the UK’s treatment of the French in the UK in preparation for Brexit so it is hoped the “reciprocity” rule in its no-deal laws would not cause problems for Britons in France.
The office of the Europe Minister, in a statement to Connexion, said the UK’s “settled status” arrangements are “comparable” to what France would offer Britons – “it has not at this stage raised any notable difficulties for French people who applied for it”.
The ministry said France’s no-deal laws may be relied on by Britons “living legally in France before Brexit” to apply for non-EU citizens’ residency cards under simplified rules.
Within a year they must obtain a card and would continue to have the same residency, work and social security rights as now. Nonetheless, the deal “guarantees the best protection of citizens’ rights”.
The Europe Ministry advises reading the brexit.gouv.fr site for information. Sections for British residents have now been translated into English.
Britons in France can also keep up to date via the British Embassy’s living in France guide (search for this at gov.uk), campaign groups (see britishineurope.org) and at connexionfrance.com/French-news/Brexit.
Campaigners are going to London to protest against a no-deal on October 12 and 19. Search: new London Brexit protest on our website for details.
The European Parliament (EP) has said in a resolution it is open to a further extension if there are reasons for this such as to avoid a no-deal exit, to hold a general election or a referendum, to revoke Article 50, or to approve a withdrawal agreement.
In view of a possible election, Britons in France who have been abroad for less than 15 years should check they are registered to vote (gov.uk/register-to-vote) and have stipulated a postal or proxy vote.
The EP said a no-deal would be the UK government’s fault, and the same issues would remain – the Irish border, the financial settlement and rights of expatriates. If they were not respected, it would refuse to assent to any future agreements with the UK.
It also stated it would veto a deal that excludes an Irish backstop, but nonetheless urged the UK to submit its proposals if it has operational plans replacing the need for it.
President Macron said the UK should submit ideas by the end of September to give time for them to be considered before the European Council summit on October 17-18.
Campaigners British in Europe said the EP should have supported ring-fencing the citizens’ rights part of the deal.
If a deal is agreed, the Agreement provides for a transition, during which nothing would change for Britons living in or visiting France. It would be until the end of 2020, or the end of 2022 at the latest, if an extension is agreed by a joint UK/EU committee which would be formed to oversee implementation of the deal.
France has announced an increase in the sum of aide au retour volontaire that may be claimed by foreigners who are in an irregular situation in France and who volunteer to go home – up to €1,850 per person. The Interior Ministry said there is no link to Brexit.
