In April 2015 the UK government will begin a policy of pension lock downs.   
   This means that no part of pension income can be transferred outside the UK.   
   The plan is to start it first with Civil Servants. The logic behind this is   
   stimulating the UK economy    
   by forcing people to spend their pension in the UK. While economic stimulus is   
   a valid policy concern, this policy warrants review.   
      
   The first consideration would be the UK's position vis-à-vis the European   
   Community. Pension lock down would restrict the mobility of seniors within the   
   EC. Should the UK government be allowed to restrict freedom of mobility in   
   such a way now that the UK    
   has become an integral part of the EC? Can you imagine an American or a   
   Canadian not being allowed to retire in another state of province because   
   their pension is locked down? This is certainly an issue that should be dealt   
   with by the European    
   Commission.     
       
   A second consideration is the unification of families. Millions of young   
   Britons have immigrated throughout the Commonwealth. An established way of   
   life for many British families is that elderly parents go to live with their   
   children abroad, when they    
   retire. Their pension helps them from becoming a financial burden on sons or   
   daughters who often have young families of their own. Many British seniors   
   will be forced to live in solitude if they can't move to join their children.   
   This is an issue that    
   should be reviewed by Commonwealth organizations.   
       
   JL 23-01-2015   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)