10 September, 2007

THOUSANDS of Scots emigrate every year, citing better jobs, more favourable weather and large ex-pat communities as their motives for the move.

But finance comes into it too.

As young families struggle to keep their heads above water with rising interest rates, taxes, property prices and cost of living, the lure of sunnier climes has never been stronger.

Some 32,000 people left Scotland in 2005 to join the 5.5 million Brits that now live overseas. Since 2000, 163,000 Scots have started a new life elsewhere.

Across the UK as a whole, a total of 200,000 emigrated last year, mainly to Australia, Spain and France.

Australia is welcoming these new residents with open arms - moving down under has never been easier.

On 1 September new rules came into effect that mean an extra five points will be awarded for passing a standard English language test under Australia's points-based immigration system.

Jason Hemmings, a director at Albannach FM, an independent financial advice (IFA) firm, said the biggest lure of foreign shores was a better quality of life at a lower cost.

"In Scotland, in most cases, both parents have to work and therefore need childcare. The growing cost of living is undermining what people want to achieve out of life. When the cost of living is less, it gives people choice about whether or not both parents work and where the children go to school."

Chris J Mackie, a financial planner with Acumen, agreed, saying: "The buoyant UK housing market, coupled with the low European Interest rates and cheap cost of living, has resulted in a large migration of Brits overseas. This seems to be an especially appealing option around retirement time when, with many pensions not producing sufficient income to maintain the required standard of living, people look for ways to free up capital from property. I'm sure the British summers also have something to do with it."

According to research by Selftrade, more than one in five young people said they would leave the UK if the government decided to abolish the state pension.

And there is now constant pressure on the younger generation to prepare for their old age. But more than a quarter of British adults fail to make any provision for retirement and nearly a third of women admitted to not making any pension plans in a recent survey by Alliance Trust.

Hyman Wolanski, head of pensions at Alliance Trust, said: "It is worrying to see that many in the prime of their working lives are most uncomfortable about their retirement prospects. It is clear that serious action needs to be taken to tackle the problem to break this trend."

In addition, young people are being priced out of the housing market. It has become increasingly difficult for first-time buyers to get a foothold on the property ladder. The average house price in Edinburgh is £288,000, according to new research from Halifax. Compare this to Melbourne, where it is possible to buy a three-bedroom detached house with parkland views for £130,000.

There are also tax advantages to moving overseas. For example, if someone with a buy-to-let portfolio lives abroad for more than five years they will not have to pay the usual 40 per cent Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when they sell up.

But consider your options before you book the flights, as Mackie says: "Care must be taken when owning property abroad and specialist advice sought. It is often assumed that property owned abroad is not subject to the British tax regime but for most, this is not the case. For example, most will still be classed as ultimately being UK citizens and taxes like inheritance tax will often apply to worldwide assets including overseas property and other assets.

"Taking professional advice can help to minimise the impact of these taxes."

Should I stay or should I go? The case for and against

FIVE reasons to stay:

• The NHS. Free healthcare is a something we take for granted in the UK. However much you moan about it, you would miss it.

• Free bank accounts. At present, bank accounts are gratis, as are authorised transactions. That is not the case in many countries.

• Culture. We often forget how rich the UK is, with fantastic galleries, theatres and museums. The world's biggest ball of elastic bands in Oz doesn't quite match up.

• Marmite, baked beans, good tea, Irn-Bru and potato scones. Even if you can get them imported, it just isn't the same.

• Sick leave, paid holidays, maternity/paternity leave. In places like the US, that is a mere pipe dream.

Five reasons to go

• Rainy summers, rainy winters, rainy everything. Workpermit.com received an unprecedented number of inquiries about moving abroad this summer, and a better climate is one of the top reasons people give when emigrating.

• No space. Many emigrants said they left the UK because they wanted more land, bigger homes and a less cramped way of life.

• TV licence fees. Small annoyances like paying for channels you don't watch and funding such channels to produce inane TV series is one of the pet peeves of those who dream of living abroad.

• Congestion charges. It cost £8 a day to drive in central London - more than £1,000 pounds a year just to drive to work has a real sting in the tail for those in the capital. And such charges could easily spread to Scottish cities.

• Waiting lists. The NHS may be a reason to stay, but the waiting lists are not.

'PLANNING TO STAY IN AUSTRALIA PERMANENTLY'

CHRIS and Sandra Ansell, both 39, emigrated from Edinburgh to Perth in Australia in May with their two boys Ewan, six, and Owen, two.

Both worked in Edinburgh full-time. Sandra was an IT trainer and Chris a contract manager in engineering.

They decided to move to the sun for a slower pace and better quality of life - and because the cost of property and living in general was significantly less in Australia. Chris works as an engineer in Perth while Sandra is not working, "taking her time to get used to the climate".

Their children quickly settled into the way of life and now see Australia as their home.

Jason Hemmings of Albannach FM was the Ansells' independent financial adviser while in Edinburgh and still keeps in touch with the family.

He said: "After Chris and Sandra had their second child they were under more financial pressure. Lots of things are more expensive here than in Australia, including property.

"They also had a hectic way of life and both of them had to work full time."

Hemmings added: "Chris is doing really well in his job and Sandra is having a good time acclimatising. They are planning to stay in Australia permanently."

In the longer term, a move overseas can make sense for families like the Ansells.

One benefit is that if people are actually domiciled abroad they will not be subject to UK inheritance tax, which is currently 40 per cent on estates valued at more than £300,000.

So, that place in the sun could save you and your family money as well as improve your lifestyle.

Of course, you might end up missing those rainy days.

• Laura Harding, scotsman.com